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What should I always have in my RV?

Maverick972

Well Known Member
As I continue to get to know my RV7 and start to venture outside my loca area I would like some input of what I should carry in my RV at all times.

I am putting a small bag together to always have in the aircraft.
Obviously I need a quart of oil, screwdriver to open oil door..

My tie down rings? My anti splat control lock? Etc.

What tie downs do you recommend?

What collectively are some best practices?
 
stuff to have

I am sure there will be many good suggestions.
You might consider --
two cockpit sized flashlights (or one that size and one larger for preflighting)
a nosewheel tire if you use the Lamb tire, at least for cross countries
one replacement fuel drain valve
small amount of safety wire
a half dozen each #6 and 8 countersink and regular machine screws
tiedown ropes
one or two small store-type water bottles
fire extinguisher
extra sunglasses that always stay in plane
headset batteries
pen and small spiral notepad
a few zip ties in two sizes
duct tape, but you knew that, right?
 
I'd echo what Mike said, and add some tools:

  • Phillips head screw driver
  • Pliers (if you need them to pull cowl pins)
  • Safety wire pliers
  • Allen wrench (the nosewheel fairing will have to come off to install your spare lamb tire)
  • ?" drive 3/8" and 7/16" wrenches
  • ?" drive 3/8" and 7/16" sockets + extensions

I purchased a small plastic compartment box from Ace hardware and use it to carry all the above. It's quite compact and the tools in it are dedicated to the aircraft. It and all the spare stuff (extra tube for mains, extra lamb tire and tube for the nosewheel etc.) along with a canopy cover fit nicely in a Bison Mountain bag.
 
I'll add a spare fuel cap. The pin on mine just broke, but thankfully I was at my home airport.

Rusty
 
Lots of threads on this topic.

To the spare fuel tank filler caps I'd add spare quick drains and o rings.
 
By the time this thread is done you won't even have room for a passenger :D

I think the mission would determine what to bring because no matter what you have on board, it's the part you don't that's going to break.

Right now I have:

* Canopy Breaking Tool
* Bottle of Water
* Snacks
* Fire Extinguisher
 
Water! fire extinguisher, canopy-survival ax, leather gloves, safety glasses. cold weather gear if venturing out in the Sierras
 
Great thread!

I'll add...

  • A camping headlamp is great to have in lieu of a regular flashlight (hands free)
  • Paperwork (of course)
  • Backup handheld radio

For backcountry/remote flying

  • Personal ELB
  • Portable jump starter
  • Solar charger
  • Water
  • Survival blanket
 
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Anything medical you might need if you're unexpectedly overnight somewhere
Cell phone charger
Disposable rain poncho
 
Canopy cover.
Tool bag containing:
the screw drivers and wrench sizes your plane needs.
Baggies containing a sample of electrical terminals, screws, nuts, washers, cotter pins etc that are found on your plane.
Assorted tywraps, stainless wire, and Electrical tape,
Spare fuel drain
Spare fuel cap
Flashlight, rag, gloves
Rope for tie down and the rings
Spare tube
Etc etc etc. Mines 20lbs and is normally in the plane unless returning to same airport.

YMMV but I like to be self reliant and independent.

Bevan
 
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Vans' wheel jackpoint kit and a right angle screwdriver to get at the lowest screws on your wheelpants when you have a flat tire. Grrrr.
 
You can find my full itemization of the things I carry in my aircraft here. In that link, I present the items in images, with my list delineated at the bottom. Most items in that list include links to where they were sourced from. Consider reading my list and include those items that are important to you.

Pictures of most of the items are below. Again, the full list is delineated at the bottom of the link provided above.

IMG_20180623_144520a.jpg


IMG_20180623_144024a.jpg


IMG_20180623_143225a.jpg


IMG_20180623_143429.jpg
 
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