All - we created a safety device to help pilots reduce the #1 cause of aviation insurance costs. Prop Strikes. These specifically with ground handling equipment. Could be up to $90,000 worth of damage in seconds if you hit a tug.

Now available at Sportys. https://www.sportys.com/tow-on-remove-before-flight-cup.html

Good idea!

I like that and may consider that as an alternative to the strap and red flag I have attached to the Redline tug adapter I use with a Thunderbolt tug. One end of the strap is permanently attached to the adapter and there's a hook on the other end that I clip onto the open storm window or the alcohol spray bar.

Thanks!

I like that and may consider that as an alternative to the strap and red flag I have attached to the Redline tug adapter I use with a Thunderbolt tug. One end of the strap is permanently attached to the adapter and there's a hook on the other end that I clip onto the open storm window or the alcohol spray bar.

There's really that many prop strikes from towbars? That's wild.

Tugs and Tow Bars.. The #1 category in Prop Strikes is the cone on the ramp. I know of two Prop vs Tug last year in Ky alone personally. That's why we came up with the idea.

While that may be true, I'd bet the majority of prop strikes are the result of landing gear up or running over something on the ground. That said, my mother managed to leave her garden tractor towbar on the nose of her 182 and trash the 3 blade prop along with the towbar once. In those days they just dialed the prop flange and called the engine good if it was within spec.

But anything as simple as a reminder like yours seems like a good idea to save the prop & towbar and eliminate a really bad day.

While that may be true, I'd bet the majority of prop strikes are the result of landing gear up or running over something on the ground. That said, my mother managed to leave her garden tractor towbar on the nose of her 182 and trash the 3 blade prop along with the towbar once. In those days they just dialed the prop flange and called the engine good if it was within spec.

I guess I'm confused as to what people are doing after they move a plane with a tow bar or tug? Serious question.

When I move mine, I take the towbar off immediately and put it away. I never leave the towbar attached to the plane.

I could understand someone skipping a walk-around.

The problem is distraction. Even if your normal routine is to remove the towbar any time you're not actually moving the airplane, there may come a day when someone and/or something disrupts that routine at just the wrong moment. I used to know a pilot who's answer to this particular issue was to clip his airplane starting key to the towbar and leave it there until the towbar was stowed. That way if he managed to leave the towbar on the nose and climb into the cockpit he couldn't crank the engine.

I was dropping my prop off at the prop shop for an IRAN one day and began talking with one of the employees. I made a comment on a prop sitting nearby and he said that’s the 3rd time we’ve had that prop in the shop in the past 6 months. When I asked why, he said all three were prop strikes on a tow bar. The first time they repaired it, sent it off, and it was back two weeks later

After that conversation I made a STRICT policy to not leave a tow bar on unless it was actively moving the plane.

I’ve broken that rule a few times, but I’m so uncomfortable with a tow bar on and not in active use that I typically just remove it when I step away from it and put it back on a few seconds later. The tow bar actually makes a good wheel chock if needed as I step away for a brief moment.

I cringe anytime I see a tow bar attached to a plane that’s clearly not going to be used anytime soon. I used to mention my story from the prop shop and my policy to never leave one attached when not actively being used. The response is almost always something along the lines that they would never do something that stupid and how it’s so much easier to leave it attached

The obvious solution to the tow bar/prop strike problem is to have the little wheel under the tail!

Apparently that doesn't always help:

But, no propstrike!