Aircraft wheel chocks are small wedges placed behind plane wheels to prevent accidental rolling. Aircraft chocks are commonly used on almost all aircraft types, from smaller private planes to large commercial airliners. Wheel chocks are commonly used to prevent aircraft from accidentally rolling and colliding with other aircraft, protecting the ground crew from harm and protecting nearby infrastructure.
Aircraft chocks are generally made from rubber. Rubber aircraft chocks are highly durable for long term use and can be moved easily when needed. They are often equipped with ropes so they can be removed from the underside of planes quickly and easily. Plane chocks can also be attached via chains for permanent installation at aprons or hangars.
For increased visibility, aircraft chocks can also be equipped with reflective markings. The markings can help ground staff or pilots identify that the wheels have been secured in dark or poor weather conditions.
Choosing airplane wheel chocks can be made simple with a few steps
- Consult airline guidelines - for large airliners it is best to consult the manufacturer guidelines for recommendations on chock type or size. Boeing and Airbus will have specific guidelines related to wheel chocks for each of their plane models.
- Rubber, concrete or plastic - while there are many wheel chock designs and styles there are only a few materials that tend to work well as wheel chocks. Rubber is the go-to aircraft option for wheel chocks - they are lightweight, easy to transport yet highly durable and long-lasting during use.
- Tyre size - larger airliners will require larger wheel chocks to accommodate the larger tyre size. Smaller wheel chocks may suffice for smaller private or non-commercial aircraft.
- Vehicle weight - again most airline guidelines will cover vehicle weight against the wheel chock requirement. Most aircraft chocks will need to be able to keep fully loaded planes (including passengers, baggage etc.) in place.
