What things / tools / travel tool bag to carry when traveling?

[Omega232Devils]

Charlie,
The threads are awesome, I built my travel kit from reading them.

Two schools of thought on this: 1) 'carry enough to get cowling and fairings off, change spark plug and tire.' or 2) Paul Dye's new philosophy of 'carry a device with internet connection in order to CALL THE CALVARY....' (READ: VAF.com)

One thing that saved a snowboarding trip this winter was:

U-00015 Brake Caliper 1.228" 'O' Ring

I keep two of them in my kit.

[KRviator]

Originally Posted by deek

2 Exhaust gaskets, several Camloc studs, RTV silicone, mag gasket and timing pin, ignition wrench set, 1/4" drive sockets and ratchet, 7/16 and 1/2 combination wrenches, paper funnel for oil, Pledge for the canopy, microfiber towels, tie wraps, safety wire, needle nose pliers, dike cutters, SIG 226 .40 S&W, a few Adel clamps, AN960/970 -3 & -4 washers, a small VOM, Bear Grylls Ultimate knife, a few ring and spade connectors, small roll of duct tape, first aid kit, combo screwdriver set, NG and MG tubes, 1 REM37BY and 1 Denso spark plug, 3' of 16 and 22 AWG wire, 1 set of brake linings and rivets, 5 min epoxy and some popsicle sticks.

With a P226 it's not the condition inspection I'd be worried about...

[Rob Erdos]

Guys,

Excellent ideas for tool kits. In case it hasn't been said, carry along all of the specs for every component on the airplane. If you need to order an alternator belt or a trim relay, it's easier to do it from your "Maintenance Manual" then by disassembling the plane to squint at the parts.

Rob Erdos
Ottawa
RV--6....in progress.

[RV7ator]

Cash, $200, and a Visa/MasterCard (accepted everywhere) for an account you don't have to shut down because you or pax lost your wallet.

Enough money will fetch any weird part in 24 hours, even in the Idaho backcountry; your biggest problem may be communicating your plight. Put that up against the weight of taking sufficient tools to rebuild the airplane. I do carry basics, and not much is needed to completely open and service an RV. What is lacking and would require help is the ability to lift heavy objects - like a wing so you can use that spare tube.

John Siebold

[Bevan]

Some ideas to consider,

Tradesman's style work gloves and/or disposable medical type gloves. Plastic baggie to keep them from getting everything else dirty.

Garbage bag.

Tooth brush for cleaning stuff.

Small towel (someday to be a rag).

Spare alternator belt secured to the engine case so it can be installed without pulling the prop.

Old pair of reading glasses (if you need them).

If the tool bag is getting too big, consider two tools bags. One for onboard all the time. Another one with more comprehensive contents for back country flying. Don't forget first aid items and a backpack full of survival /overnight items suitable for the terrain you plan to fly over.

Small baggie with some cash (for everything else) and picture ID (in case wallet is lost/stolen)

Bevan

[Vlad]

This first aid toolbox was carried by a Piper Cub driver who made it from CONUS to Dutch Harbor and back.

[GLPalinkas]

Don't forget your trusty iPad (or dreaded "other" platform) has the capability of storing any PDF in iBooks (reader). I keep lots of reading material on mine.

Installation Manuals, wiring diagram of my plane, my POH, etc. You get the idea. Not that you need a manual to fix a flat tire but an exploded view of the brake system might help.

Also, Something to read while you are waiting for the VAF Rescue Team to appear...

[Gisnar]

I used to do a lot of backcountry skiing and camping. One of the old time instructors has some words of wisdom:
" if you carry everything you need for every emergency you will be perfectly safe. You will never be able to leave the house because of the weight!"
Just some thing to keep in mind.

[gmpaul]

I'm curious of what tools you normally carry on flights over an hour or two?
Thanks G. P.

[RickWoodall]

Couple things..
i always carry bottles of water and trail mix or snickers bars or something to just kind of keep the energy going and not let the pilot and copilot get uncomfortable. Been a real help...nothing worse than hungry, thirsty on top of a long flight.

Also, i always carry a basic tool kit that can let me remove wheel pants, cowl, inspection plates and other fairings as well as funnel and a quart or two of oil. Also, I carry tie down and control surface locks and light canopy covers always. You never know where you might get stuck, have what you need to properly secure plane.

Lastly for long trips I have a spare gas cap, spare fuel drain and nose and main tube packed away. I also carry one mag plug and one lightspeed spark plug, a few fuses and a small bag of misc bolts, nuts, tinnerman washers and cotter pins.

Last...I also carry a handheld com with the headset adapter attached incase com goes t/u on flights, and a spare headset. To be honest none of this really takes up much room. I have a couple of the RV bison bags, behind the seats. One of them carries all the stuff i deem necessary.