Retracting Tie-Down Ring?

All-

I remember several years ago seeing a home-builder's design for a retracting tie-down ring. It slips up inside the wing for less drag.

Of course, when I'm ready to build the ring, I can't find it. I don't know if it was on this site or another. My searches have come up blank.

Any leads?

Thanks.

-Brian

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on October 1, 2023 at 1:26pm

I seem to recall it, but I can't find it either.

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on October 1, 2023 at 1:52pm

Having searched further, the design of a spring loaded ring pull is fairly simple. You can do a search and look at the pictures. The only complicated part is getting the spring on the shaft, and that really isn't all that complicated. I'd say use something off the shelf, but I can't really find any useful information of the weight capacity of the available stuff. Maybe a more extensive search would yield results.

Permalink Reply by Douglas Binder on October 5, 2023 at 7:44am

These planes are not ultra-streamlined and I would be surprised if the speed increase from removing the tie-down ring from the airstream would be measurable.  On the flip side, every time you modify the design, you lengthen the build time (not that my 601 is stock).

Permalink Reply by Frank Stutzman on October 5, 2023 at 9:35am

You could do what some RVs do and just have a removable tie down.  Basically an eye bolt that screws into nut plate (probably with some re-enforcement).  Weight might be a wash, but maintenance would be nil.

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