You land at a busy FBO, hand over your keys, and head into town for lunch. While you’re away, the line crew needs to reposition airplanes to make room for a jet. Did you leave the parking brake set? Is your airplane chocked and tied down, or ready to tow? If nobody can tell, someone has to guess.
A wrong guess can be costly. Towing an airplane with the parking brake set wears the brakes and tires, and miscommunication on a crowded ramp is how hangar rash happens. A clear sign in the windshield takes the guessing out of it.
CheckMate’s Ramp Tow Card is a windshield card that tells ground crews at a glance whether your aircraft is secured or ready to be moved.
Quick answer: The CheckMate Ramp Tow Card is a windshield card that clearly communicates to ground crews whether your aircraft is secured or ready to be moved. It’s for owners and renters who park at FBOs and busy ramps, and it comes in Standard (6.5 x 9 in) and Compact (5 x 7 in) sizes, available on Skyfarer and at Skyfarer Shop.
What it does
- Clear status. Shows ground crews whether your aircraft is secured or ready to be moved.
- Prevents misunderstandings. Reduces the chance of costly miscommunication on the ramp.
- Protects your brakes. Helps avoid unnecessary brake wear from an airplane being moved when it shouldn’t be.
- Two sizes. Standard (6.5 x 9 in) or Compact (5 x 7 in).
How to use it
- Secure or release the airplane. Set the brake and chocks, or release the brake, according to what you want the crew to do.
- Place the card. Display it in the windshield where the line crew can see it from outside.
- Tell the FBO too. Mention your intentions at the desk so the card and the instructions match.
- Check it on return. Confirm the airplane’s condition and remove the card before your preflight.
Pilot tip: Make removing the tow card part of your preflight checklist. It’s easy to forget something sitting on the glareshield, and you want a clear windshield before engine start.
Where to buy
CheckMate Ramp Tow Card is sold by Skyfarer Shop. Find it on the Skyfarer marketplace or order directly from Skyfarer Shop. Either link shows the current price, shipping options and return terms.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes are available?
Standard (6.5 x 9 in) and Compact (5 x 7 in).
Where does it go?
In the windshield, where ground crews can read it from outside the airplane.
Who is it for?
Aircraft owners and renters who leave airplanes on FBO ramps or with line service.
