Anyone know of a good retaining device that will hold your plane while starting? I've seen some manufactured devices in the past that were made of metal rods and shaped like the letter "H". You could step on them like a shovel and drive them into the ground. You could then place the tail end of your plane or even the wings behind the rods and would not need to worry about the plane lunging forward. I haven't been able to track any down in person though. I'm sure they could easily be fabricated by welding some metal together to form the shape, but I don't have access to the equipment neccessary to make them.

With my smaller 40 sized planes I would use my fieldbox on one wing in order to stop any forward movement, but that method is really not too safe. Other times I might have another club member hold my plane from the rear stab. Thats not always very safe either.

Anyone know of any commercial devices that are used for this purpose?

Two large screwdrivers pushed firmly into the ground, spaced so you can hook the tail as per the commercial item you describe.

I also sometimes use one screwdriver and a hoop of strapping which is hooked over the tail.

Simon.

I loop a piece of 1/8" clothesline around a fencepost at the field.

Then loop it around the stabalizer.

Works fine, and the rope can be used to pull your plane off the field if you kill the engine.

This way you don't get your hands as messy.

What you are looking for is the AeroMate. It is made by Midwest Model Products of Hobart, Indiana. I believe you can get it from Quantum Models.

Thanks. I checked Quantums site and they didn't list an "Aeromate". Any other links?

Rubber Rack? thats not really what I had in mind

I'm looking for something to "clamp my plane down" while I start it..

Could swear that I bought one from them last year for one of our club members. Might be worth a call as they have more products for sale then they list on their website. The Midwest site is Midwestproducts.com. You could go there and maybe they can tell you the closest hobby shop that carries them. They probably sell direct also. You might try Tower, look for a listing for the Midwest AeroStand model stand. It's listed with that in their 2003 catalog on page 244. Cost is $19.29.

Rich

This holder is great in that it lies flat when not in use. I got it NIB from a club member about 18 mo ago. The address on it is:

Uncle Bob's Products
C/O Hobby Wholesale Club
P.O. Box 94
Boys Town, NE. 68010


Pete

I have one from Bob's also. Got it on a business trip to Omaha a few years ago. Works great but isn't as tall as the Midwest restraint so it doesn't do as well with larger planes.

Just a note, but our club--- Wyoming Modelers' Park--- has gone to starting tables. We have one behind each pilot station. They are based upon the design that was in the August 2002 Model Aviation (AMA). We made modifications so that we could get some larger and different shaped (i.e. deltas, canards, etc.) on them. The tables restrain by holding the wings, not the tail. They are used for all but the really big, big birds.

Try this link to an ad I posted. I looked hard for the same thing, but I could not find anything at the LHS. Tower has the Midwest Aeromate, but my design is sturdier!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...hreadid=463305]