gjeffers, are you starting the plane in the back or your blazer? I know this is going to sound like preaching, but that is a big safety hazard as you have experienced. The only time that I am in front of my airplane is during starting, but after that every thing else is done from behind it. Do you have a thing called a third hand? If not let me know OK. The one that I use is stuck in the ground and then the tail goes in it. No chance of the plane getting away. Another way it to get two Iron rods about 15 inches long and pad the upper 7 inches and then stick them in the ground to capture the tail. I can make either one and all I ask is for the cost of the materials and postage. here is a pic of the one that I use.