Register

Wheel Chock Jumping 101

When you’re not looking, line personnel may secure your airplane for you. Try as you might, it’s not likely you can jump that chock.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots can mistakenly overlook pre-flight checks for tiedowns or chocks, assuming their aircraft is ready for departure.
  • The author recounts observing a manager start an engine with a tail tiedown still attached after a storm, causing an abrupt stop.
  • He later experienced a similar oversight himself, failing to remove chocks placed by someone else while he was away.
  • These incidents led him to adopt a crucial safety habit: performing a final, critical visual inspection of the aircraft from a short distance before every flight.
See a mistake? Contact us.

As both a line person and private pilot, I’ve seen a good share of the tricks people try to pull on the ramp when they fail to free their airplane from its tiedown or chocks before starting an engine. One common factor is they think no one is watching.

My first example came when I was working the line at the local airport. The FBO had recently changed hands, and was now operated by the same outfit running another small airport about 20 miles up the road. Naturally, management of both facilities “commuted” between them by air.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE