Watch the Aviation Consumer Tiedown Shootout from AVWeb
A Tie Down System That Will Keep Your Plane Where You Park It!
When tested head-to-head against other tie down systems, both by the manufacturer and independently by Aviation Consumer Magazine, the Abe's Aviation Tie Down System led the way in anchor strength, holding it's place against pulling forces in excess of 1,000 lbs in a wide variety of soil conditions! The intelligent design of this portable tie-down system makes it a great choice for the pilot flying into backcountry areas as well as those parking their planes off the tarmac at fly-ins, grass strips, and flying communities. With the included carrying case, Abe's Tie Down Systems are easily transportable and simple to set up - yet offer protection against high winds that other portable tie down systems can't give you.
Designed for Performance and Quality
After the unfortunate tornado that the Sun 'n Fun fly-in experienced this year, you should be thinking about how to properly secure your aircraft with a quality tie-down system, even if you aren't flying into the backcountry all the time. Abe's Aviation Tie Downs are made with quality and ingenuity in mind. Each anchor is machined from 304 16-gauge stainless steel with a bulleted tipped rod welded to it that eases putting the anchor in the ground. Each anchor is also made with a 7/8" lip to assist in pulling the anchor out of the ground when it's time to take off again. The included holding rods that insert into the anchors add even more holding strength while the galvanized and stainless steel cables are rated to 2000 lbs. The Deluxe kits add high-strength aluminum carabiners rated to 4600 lbs, Tie Down ropes rated to 3600 lbs and aluminum pulleys rated to 5600 lbs.
Configurations to Fit Your Needs
Abe's Aviation Tie Down Systems come in 4 different configurations to accommodate your aircraft and environment.
- Basic 3 KitThe simplest and lightest version of this tie down system is the Basic 3. This configuration has been tested to hold a maximum of 640 lbs and an average of 434 lbs per anchor location across various soil types. At 6.5 lbs in weight, this kit is perfect for light GA aircraft and / or solid soil conditions. Includes:
- 3 - Stainless Steel Anchors
- 6 - 14" Stainless Steel Holding Rods
- 3 - Cables
- 2 - Pounding Blocks
- Carry Case
- Basic 5 KitThe most popular of these configurations is the Basic 5. Building on the Basic 3, this configuration adds additional anchors and has been tested to hold a maximum of 1050 lbs and an average of 794 lbs per anchor location across various soil types. The kit weighs just under 10 lbs and is a great all-around solution for many types of aircraft and soils. Includes:
- 5 - Stainless Steel Anchors
- 10 - 14" Stainless Steel Holding Rods
- 3 - Cables
- 2 - Pounding Blocks
- Carry Case
- Deluxe 3 and Deluxe 5 KitsThe primary pitfall with the Basic 3 & 5 kits is that you need to provide your own ropes. To overcome this, the Deluxe 3 and Deluxe 5 kits are available. These upgrades include all the equipment in the Basic kits, but add tie down ropes, carabiners, and pulleys. The ropes and carabiners help make tying your aircraft down easier while the pulleys reduce wear on the cables as well as assisting in the tie down process. Includes:
- Stainless Steel Anchors
- 14" Stainless Steel Holding Rods
- 3 - Cables
- 2 - Pounding Blocks
- 3 - Carabiners
- 3 - Pulleys
- 2 - 14 foot Wing ropes
- 1 - 8 foot tail rope
- Carry Case
Physical Specifications
- Weight:
- Basic 3 Kit: 6.5 lbs
- Basic 5 Kit: 9.8 lbs
- Deluxe 3 Kit: 8.5 lbs
- Deluxe 5 Kit: 11.8 lbs
- Dimensions
- Anchor: 7" W x 11" H
- Straight Cable: 35" L
- Holding Rods: 14" L x 5/16" Diameter
- Pulley: 3" x 1 5/16"
- Carry Case: 8" W x 14" L x 10" H
- Construction Materials:
- Anchor: 304 16-Gauge Stainless Steel and Brass Wing Nut
- Straight Cable: 1/8" x 3/16" Galvanized Aircraft cable w/ stainless steel thimbles
- Holding Rods: 304 Stainless Steel
- Pounding Block: Oregon Oak wood
- Pulley: Aluminum sideplates, nylon sheaves, zinc coated axles
- Tie Down Ropes & Carabiner: 8mm climbing rope and non-locking aluminum carabiner
- Carry Case: 600 Denier polyester and vinyl
Testing Results
The following data has been collected directly from the manufacturer based on their own tests across a variety of soil types and conditions.
| Configuration | Max Force Held | Avg Force Held |
| Double Anchor w/ Holding Rods | 1050 lbs | 794 lbs |
| Double Anchor w/o Holding Rods | 700 lbs | 526 lbs |
| Single Anchor w/ Holding Rods | 640 lbs | 434 lbs |
