Solving a Problem...

To me it seems the only rational solution is to carry adequate insurance and then to pay attention to the weather forecasts and as far as reasonably possible stay away from threatened areas......... it is not only airplanes that are vulnerable in these storms....

I doubt one can fly the planes away in time, assuming all pilots are to hand anyway,
and, the planes all ready to go. (plus a control tower nightmare)

It is unlikely one can cover/seal them all and put them underwater! (eeeeekkk!)
Even if you could get any owner to ever agree to it! What if the storm(s) pass over?
You could have a lot of very irate owners after your blood. (repeatedly?)

If some thing has to be done, albeit at low cost, how about covering them in a
"balloon" style canopy (like a huge garden poly-tunnel) the sheet mechanically fed
out from a straddling gantry, and then sealed down and pressurised?

Not a lot of expense involved, gantry could power over "cover them" in a few minutes,
and if the worst happened, the sheet destroyed, it could add little to the damage.

I did intend to send a sketch, but you can visualise a straddling gantry frame covering
a row of planes in a strong film "blanket" above the planes, pulling tight with the sides
sloping to deflect the wind, and semi sealed down at the floor edges.

This being low pressurised during the roll out to withstand flying debris and to also
protect the planes being torn apart or blown over by the storm.

I think this could be achieved (with practice runs) within 5-10 minutes, and while not
providing complete protection, it would be costing only a fraction of the alternatives,
and could cover rows of planes in one movement.
Simply; an emergency hanger created by / from a rolling gantry.
(similar to the gantries used for containers on the docks.)

This "cover up" could perhaps be supervised by the fire section or designated crew,
and the gantry also useful for may other things on the airfield.

jt.

Did you hear about the pilot who crashed in to a ferris wheel?
He's slowly coming round. (booo!)

thank you... interesting idea.

Yes, it can takes hours to escape from a 'fly-in', even when it's 'freestyle' separation.

I'm not sure if this is actually Chris's main 'market', or stuff normaly resident and passing through.

However if fly-ins are the 'market' - your gantry is an Interesting Idea. It starts to address the logistics - but it's still a big job.

link

Looking thru all the replies, I haven't seen anyone mention that the wings on these aircraft are going to have fuel in them, not only the flammability but the SG is going to pose a problem sinking the craft low enough to be any benefit. Also, I have a friend with a J3 Super-Cub, that tries to fly in 40 mph wind, while tied downed and spoilers strapped to wing surfaces. Thats just my 2¢.

After 25 years working at an airport, I feel there are only two practical solutions.

1) Insurance, and plenty of it. Even in the worst of areas, the chances of damage from wind are very low. And the cost of any change would have to be spent every time a plane moved.

2) Additional tie downs. I have seen steel cables anchored at points along its length, and the in pavement type where planes are parked on hard pavement. The claws shown I have never seen used, but would have to feel they work, or would not be acceptable to FAA. Perhaps using additional claws would help.

What about wrapping the planes in bubble wrap then tying it down?