As with any object suspended from the ceiling, such as a pot rack, ceiling fan or Flight Deck, safety must be the first consideration. Read all of the hanging instructions and determine if you have the skills and ability to safely and securely hang the Flight Deck. If you do not, we recommend you hire a professional to do the installation.

The hanging instructions provided are for a wood frame, drywall ceiling. If you have metal joists, plaster ceiling, cement ceiling or a drop ceiling, hire a professional to install your Flight Deck.

If your particular structure requires a hanging method other than the eye screws provided, it is recommended that you use Stainless steel or Nickel Plated hardware that is capable of supporting the anticipated weight.

Recommended Tools: Stud finder, tape measure, drill and 3/16th” drill bit, screw driver, pencil, painter tape and safety glasses. The Flight Deck comes with two stainless steel eye screws that will support the anticipated weight of the Flight Deck.

Step 1
On choosing a location to hang the Flight Deck, check the full swing to ensure that, when in motion, it will not collide with walls, windows, doors or objects. For your birds comfort and health, do not place the Flight Deck in drafty locations such as under or adjacent to heating and cooling vents. If placing in front of a window, ensure that when the Deck is in full motion it will not come in contact with the glass. Also, you will want to avoid hanging the Flight Deck in the path of foot traffic or where someone will inadvertently walk into it.

Step 2
The Flight Deck must be properly secured to the ceiling joist and not just to the drywall.
Do not screw the eye screws into plain drywall as drywall will not support the weight of the Flight Deck. To safely and securely hang the Flight Deck, you will be screwing the stainless steel eye screws to the center of the ceiling joists.

Since you’ll be working above your head, we suggest that you wear safety glasses while installing the Flight Deck.

Most ceiling joists are spaced at 16” or 24” from center to center. The Flight Deck supporting chains are placed 48” apart so that they will hang straight up and down on either 16” or 24” spaced ceiling joists.

First, you will want to determine which direction the joists runs. You can do this with a stud finder. Following the instructions for your stud finder, find the ceiling joist and mark off the width with painters tape. You will put a piece of the tape where the width of the joist begins and where it ends (joists are usually 1 ½ inches wide). With a pencil mark the center of the ceiling joists (the space between the painters tape), this is where you will be placing the eye screw. Finding the center of the joist is important; you will want to ensure that the eye screw goes directly into the center of the joist for maximum strength.

If the joist runs in the direction you want to hang the deck, you will measure down 48” and again mark off with painters tape where the joist begins and ends (widthwise) and mark the center of the ceiling joist with pencil (the space between the painters tape), this is where you will be placing the other eye screw.

If the joist runs opposite to the direction you want to hang the deck, you will find the joist that is 48” distance from the first one. (Most joists are 16” or 24” on center, so either way, there should be another at 48” from the center of the first joist). You may want to determine a reference wall and measure equal distance from the wall to the two holes you will be making if you want the Flight Deck to be parallel with a wall. When you find the next joist you will again mark off with painters tape where the joist begins and ends, widthwise (usually 1 ½ inches) and with a pencil mark the center of the ceiling joists (the space between the painters tape), this is where you will be placing the second eye screw.

Step 3
Once you are sure you have identified the center of the ceiling joist, drill pilot holes for the eye screws to go into using a 3/16th inch drill bit. You will drill into the joist at least 3 inches. The holes drilled will be smaller in diameter than the eye screw to ensure a tight fit.

Step 4
Screw the eye screws into the pilot holes. This will require effort but will be easier if you slide a screwdriver though the eye of the eye screw and use the length of the screwdriver as a handle to twist the eye screw into place. Continue to turn the eye screw straight into the joist until no thread is visible. Here’s a hint, if it is not difficult to turn the eye screw, you are probably not in a stud/ceiling joist.

Step 5
Attach the quick links that are on the end of the chain to the eye screws. Because the Flight Deck may be quite heavy, you will want assistance to help you lift it. Once secured, let go of the Flight Deck slowly to ensure it’s properly supported.

Do not exceed 50lbs total weight. The weight of the Flight Deck and items you add should not exceed 50 pounds total.