How many wheel chocks do you carry?

mandm

mandm

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How many wheel chocks do you carry in your plane? Is one enough for the nose wheel?
 
mandm said:
How many wheel chocks do you carry in your plane? Is one enough for the nose wheel?
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Carry 2-3 sets in the plane and have 2 sets for around the hangar. I use them frequently at small and large airports.

Made them out 2X4" wood, small and lightweight. Once my saw was setup I made a enough for my buddy and I.
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99% of the time I don’t carry chocks. Tie down ropes is another matter.
 
My plane came with a set that are maybe 4" wide and fairly light. I carry them everywhere. Much more convenient than hunting down whatever the airport has, and I've been to a number that don't have any. My parking brake leaks down, so I always chock the plane, but I've seen lots of unchocked planes on lots of ramps and have yet to see one roll away. I feel like just doing the nosewheel is enough.

I'll second the tie-down rope suggestion.... lots of airports have no ropes, really lousy ones, or only one set for 4 planes. 3/8 braided nylon works great. A piece of heat shrink tube binds the ends nicely and makes them easy to thread.

Cowl plugs. Quart of oil. Gust lock.
 
None. I carry ropes because most ropes (even if present) aren't long enough to reach the Navion tie down rings.
 
One set in each of our two airplanes. If I know I am going to spend the night at a remote airport I will borrow an extra set from our home base FBO. Usually put them at the left main. More weight on the mains so it is harder for the airplane to jump the chocks.
 
2 pair of the free plastic ones that Michelin gave away at their Oshkosh display. Have had them 3 years in the plane to date, not used them ever.
 
I don't carry chocks as most of the local FBO's chock you plane. Now if I am traveling I will bring 1 set and tie down ropes. Not to self: bring ropes and a set of chocks on my 6 month journey around the lower 48.....:rolleyes:
 
Zero, now. When I had to hand prop I carried a set of lightweight aluminum angle chocks on a long string so I could pull them out after the engine was running. If I'm staying overnight, I always bring tiedown ropes, though.
 
My buddy usually don't carry any in his Cherokee, even after I made him some. I have let him borrow a set of mine sometimes to keep him from walking over to the FBO to look for a set. He does not have baggage door so I guess he don't like carrying them? Lately I have noticed he is bringing one set with him.

For a while last year we were on quest to land at every airport in Indiana, we took both planes some days. Land at up to 4 airports a day. He would like to go into the FBO and get business cards meanwhile his plane is un chocked outside. Never under stood it.
My 172 chocked his not so much.
I am too lazy to go looking for some at each FBO. I'd hate for a gust of wind to blow my plane into someones else plane. Common curtsy it seems to chock the wheels when no lineman are working the ramp.
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Four. Aluminum angle tied in pairs with a line long enough to attach to the strut so I can pull them from the pilot seat after hand propping (if necessary).
mandm said:
Is one enough for the nose wheel?
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I have never chocked a nose wheel on my airplane. Never. And, I don't see what the point of one chock would be.
 
One pair for the nosewheel. Plus three tiedown ropes. And for airports that have cables across the ramp for tiedowns, I bring metal clips for my ropes. I don’t like the way those cables can saw into a rope.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Four. Aluminum angle tied in pairs with a line long enough to attach to the strut so I can pull them from the pilot seat after hand propping (if necessary).

I have never chocked a nose wheel on my airplane. Never. And, I don't see what the point of one chock would be.
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I think one set of chocks on one main is better than none for a quick stop.

I am also guilty of not chocking the tires short term at this turf airport. The soft ground works pretty good and I am the only one there. It's like that a lot, you have the whole place to yourself.
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For a tailwheel airplane or a tri-gear with a swiveling nosewheel (e.g. Grumman-American) you need both mains chocked.

Half Fast said:
... cables across the ramp for tiedowns, ...
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Jim K said:
Never seen that before. Is that a Florida thing?
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Very common in California, anyway.



 
Cessna 172, most of the weight is on the mains.

I made two sets of rope connected chocks from a piece of 4x4, they were 8 inches long. They fly under the rear seat, and when we land, my wife places the set on her side, I place the set on my side, regardless of how long we think we will stay. When I do the preflight, I remove the chocks and stow them.

Under the center of the rear seat are the three tie down ropes. Any overnight is tied down with our ropes, unless the local ropes are clearly in very good condition.

Many of the smaller airports we have visited do not have chocks or ropes, and we have had some very high winds occur, unexpectedly. Our plane has always been where we left it.

At large aircarrier airports, which tend to re arrange GA transients to protect them and optimize parking space use.
They never lose or fail to use our chocks and ropes.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Do you put it in the front or the back of a tire?
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I see your point, I edited my post above. I use chocks in sets of 2. Yea only one chock would not be too smart.

And the comment of front swiveling nose gear and chocking both mains would be important. Good to learn.
Owner tied down for the night.
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FBO tied down with thicker rubber chocks.
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I made a set of knockdown chocks out of PVC pipe with 90 degree elbows, in a U shape to block the front and rear of the tire. They weigh next to nothing and are easy to stow, along with our tiedown ropes. How many wheels get chocked or whether I tie down depends on the wind and how long I’ll be staying. Most of the time I just use one chock on the nose wheel.
 
One pair of DIY chocks for nose wheel and three LONG tie-down ropes from a retired climbing rope with carabiners on the ground ends. They are long because once in Lafayette, LA the only tie-down space available was for a larger plane and my ropes at the time were too short. I did use them as extenders on the available chains, so I made it work that night. But I refuse to use just chains, so from then on I've carried long ropes.
 
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I have a set that stays at my AZ parking spot. My CA parking spot has chocks readily available.

If I suspect I am going somewhere that I will need a set, I simply grab whatever is available wherever I am
 
Gary Ward said:
Good idea to keep the ramp agents entertained.

Anyone use these type of chocks? What do you think of them?
https://www.sportys.com/rope-chocks.html
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Hadn’t seen those - interesting. But even with today’s lumber prices I can make a LOT of chocks out of 2x4’s cut to about 6” and ripped at a 45 down the center for $40. Would be just as high and takes up no more room.

I do carry one set of chocks and 3 cargo straps like these:

ACB3F3C1-FC14-49CA-930F-4044F8585CCC.jpeg

The chain with a carabiner is for places where the bar in the concrete is too thick for the hook to go around. The hooks have scraps of inner tube on them, to help hold them in place. The straps are light, strong, and pack well.

If I’m going someplace where I know tiedown rings will be at a premium I’ll pack two sets of chocks. If on grass I have the Claw.

I don’t always tie down but I do like at least chocking it, for brief stops. I don’t like trusting the parking brake.
 
Llewtrah381 said:
I don’t like trusting the parking brake
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Also, I don’t like using the parking brake for long periods because of temperature changes. The parking brake in most of our planes is just a valve that blocks the brake fluid from returning to the reservoir. Having the pressure go up with the plane sitting in the sun isn’t a great idea, and the pressure will go down if it gets cold, letting the brakes slip. It’s best to only use the parking brake for short periods, like while fueling or loading bags.
 
Two sets of these came with the plane.
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They seem to work well. Very light and easy to stow. Have tie downs as well.

During my first student x-country solo, I had to land due to a squall line, and was in a rental. It had nothing. The line guy threw a set of chocks on the front wheel only, just as the storm was hitting.
No time for tie downs and neither of us would go back out because the lightning was crazy...and I forgot to set the parking brake.
The wind hit, and that plane danced around like a drunk guy on a tight wire. Never budged though.
 
Pilawt said:
For a tailwheel airplane or a tri-gear with a swiveling nosewheel (e.g. Grumman-American) you need both mains chocked.



Very common in California, anyway.



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I’ve seen cables at several places in FL. Probably good if you have a variety of different sized aircraft using the ramp and you need flexibility in how you park them.

They also make excellent trip hazards in case you want to break a leg and sue an FBO.
 
Half Fast said:
I’ve seen cables at several places in FL. Probably good if you have a variety of different sized aircraft using the ramp and you need flexibility in how you park them.

They also make excellent trip hazards in case you want to break a leg and sue an FBO.
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interesting. Does seem like a bit of a hazard. Do these places usually have chains on the cable? Guess I should add a couple carabiners to my kit.
 
Jim K said:
interesting. Does seem like a bit of a hazard. Do these places usually have chains on the cable? Guess I should add a couple carabiners to my kit.
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Not where I’ve been. Carabiners would be a good idea.
 
I bought the large rubber ones you see at the FBO's from amazon for like 30$. Worth it, I always bring them if I am staying overnight. Don't see why you would need more than one set

I also always take my tow bar and tie down straps. I also bring glass cleaner, towels, paper towels, water, first aid kit, and some small tools. I like to be overprepared.
 
mandm said:
How many wheel chocks do you carry in your plane? Is one enough for the nose wheel?
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One. One set that is. As in two triangular pieces of aluminum connected with a rope. Usually don't need 'em. If I'm going for a burger run, just use the blocks o' wood they have laying around at whatever podunk FBO (they almost all have them...) Longer stays, I like to tie it down.

eman1200 said:
I carry none chocks
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BS. Eman carries nun chucks.... like this... and he knows how to use 'em
nunchucks-picture-id505767863
 
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