Mooring; Parking; Towing - Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-350 Service Manual

NAVAJO CHIEFTAIN SERVICE MANUAL
2-15. MOORING. The airplane is moored to insure its immovability, protection and security under various
weather conditions. The following procedure gives the instructions for proper mooring of the airplane.
a.
Head the airplane into the wind, if possible, and close engine cowl flaps.
b. Block the wheels.
c. Insert the internal control lock and/or control surface locks.
d.
Secure tie-down ropes to the wing tie-down rings and the tail skid at approximately 45 degree
angles to the ground. When using rope constructed of nonsynthetic material, leave sufficient slack to avoid
damage to the airplane when the ropes contract due to moisture.
CAUTION
Use square or bowline knots. Do not use slip knots.
NOTE
Additional preparations for high winds include using tie-down
ropes from the landing gear forks, and securing the rudder.
e.
Install pitot tube cover(s) if available.
2-16. PARKING. When parking the airplane. insure that it is sufficiently protected against adverse weather
conditions and presents no danger to other aircraft. When parking the airplane for any length of time or
overnight. it is recommended that it be moored per instructions in paragraph 2-15.
a.
To park the airplane, head it into the wind, if possible.
b.
Set the parking brake by applying toe pressure against the top of the rudder pedals and at the
same time pull out on the brake handle. To release the parking brake, apply toe pressure on the pedals and
push in on the parking brake handle.
NOTE
Care should be taken when setting brakes that are overheated or
during cold weather when accumulated moisture may freeze the
brakes.
c. Insert the internal control lock.
2-17. TOWING. The airplane may be moved by using the nose wheel steering bar that is stowed on the aft
wall of the nose baggage compartment or power equipment that will not damage or cause excess strain to the
nose gear steering assembly. Towing lugs are incorporated as part of the nose gear fork.
To pull the airplane on a hard level surface, it will require approximately 100 pounds pull to start its
roll and approximately 60 pounds to maintain roll.
CAUTION
When towing. do not turn the nose gear in either direction beyond its
20
°
degree arc from center as this will result in damage to the nose
gear and steering mechanism. A placard is installed on the nose gear
strut to indicate turn limits. (Refer to Figure 2-8.)
Reissued: 9/23/80
HANDLING AND SERVICING
1B17