Abstract: The invention comprises a restratining tie down apparatus for tieing down a movable abject, such as an aircraft, in a straight line connection between the stationary object and the aircraft. The restraining tie down apparatus has a storage compartment or container which is adapted to be fixed upright in the ground with with an opening at the top which is flush with the top surface of the ground. A tie down device is removably mounted within the container. The tie down device has a frame with a pair of side panels and a spool is rotatably mounted between the side panels. An elongated flexible belt is wound on the spool with its inner end attached to the spool and its outer end having a hook attached thereto. A second hook is attached to the frame of the tie down device. A spring is mounted to the frame with one end attached to the frame and its other end attached to the spool to urge the spool to rotate on the frame in a direction to wind the belt onto the spool.