with the ground frozen i am unable to put steaks in the ground to hold the plane. What can I use when i'm by myself to hold the plane in my drive way, and i don't wont to put a hole in my drive way and i feel its dangerous to manouver around the plane while trying to hold it and tune it. How do you hold your planes? and does anyone have any pics or suggestions.

Thanks, Dave Trimmer

Dog leash and a brick....maybe two bricks. Worked for me in the past. Larger planes, I just tie to a post or even a bumper. Just make sure it wont force the prop into the ground when pulled tight.

Oh...and did I mention it's over 85 degrees today and we flew all morning till 1pm? I'm not bragging about the weather...wait, yes I am.

actually i had my first 2 flights down in San Diego on vacation.

thanks for the tip i'm going to seeif i can find a brick.

Have you tried tuning your engine by putting it on an engine test stand? I made one out of wood and bolt it to a Black and Decker Workmate. I can do all my engine adjustments and then when the engine is running perfectly I mount the engine in the plane. It is easier to make all the adjustments and it saves a lot of kneeling down and worrying about stepping on the plane. It might be something worth considering.

Hey Stang,

Don't you find that you need to re-tune after you mount the engine? Seems like diferences in tank height, tube length and cowling would make it a bit different than on the bench...just curious. I mount my engines on the plane before I run em....too lazy for a test stand.

I used the front of the elevator against the back of my ankles...doesnt feel dangerous to me..... in fact it assures that I will be behind the prop and engine should anything happen...back where the needle is anyway...Rog

the problem is i can't reachfar enough to change the needle valve without stepping away from the elevator and the plane moving forward, then i'm at square one again, i do that with my trainer, but cant with my other ones.

Ok sorry Dave, I just assumed you were talking about your trainer...Rog

thats ok. i did try it but it just started to get to insane with stuff i need to keep track of and del withthen to stugle to the needle valve was not fun at all. and thats not what the hobby's about.

dave trimmer

It's not really a good idea to fly alone anyway in case there is an accident. Get the other guy to use HIS ankles. This is ONE reason to join a club.

Build a run-in platform/bench that will restrain the plane at a workable height and leave it at the field for ALL to use. If you volunteer the labor, the club may pay for the wood.
Some fields have several of these to go along with the regular work tables.

I do belong to a club, i'm talking about at home after work or school when my mom can't drive me out to the field and everyone is busy. Once i get my g2 drivers licence. I have my g1, but i'll be able to drive by myself to the air field with my g2. and i would rather run the engine on the plane than test stand, don't know why though.

Must be something you can tie it down to, even if it take a 20 ft rope or something like that. Tie off the far end of the rope and then put something heavy on it near the plane to keep it from moving about.