Don?t get marooned - Page 2

RV10Man · #11 12-15-2018, 07:29 PM

[quote=pa38112;1309582

You can hand prop with a dead battery and fly to help unless you are fuel injected

[/QUOTE]

My brother left his master on while parked at OSH one year. I hand propped to it to get it started. It was SO dead it wouldn't even excite the alternator. He killed it, and jump started it off of a guy's pickup, and it started charging just fine.

rocketbob · #12 12-16-2018, 07:06 AM

I have had two flat tires in 20 years. One was a HUGE pain due to it happening at an airport where there was nobody around with a jack or air compressor. I had to call a buddy to fly in a jack, a dolly to roll the airplane with off the taxiway, and an air compressor. It all fit in his Cessna 190.

On long trips I carry a very lightweight aluminum scissor jack out of a Porsche 911. I believe it weighs less than 2 lbs. This, a spare tube, axle tube, and a very small bicycle pump.

In my rocket I've permanently mounted the jack on a rib under the baggage compartment which is accessible thru a hinged door in the baggage compartment.

Feetwet · #13 12-17-2018, 06:55 AM

I used to take my RV4 annually back and forth between Seattle and Tucson and really did not want to get stuck out. I second most of the opinions I have seen in this thread. I also went with a scissor jack as it is the lightest and also modified it so I could use a 3/8 ratchet rather than the standard crank, but I have to also carry the Vans gear leg attachment to jack which requires removal of the wheel pant. With a complete flat or blow out, the wheel pant is sitting on the ground so the assistant lifting the wing under the spar with his back has been necessary. I considered carrying a full wheel but after evaluating weight and cost went with Tube only.
#2 son gave me a lithium jump start unit last Christmas. (600A Peak Portable Car Jump Starter) I carry it my RV and my car. I will not use a Lithium battery in the aircraft yet due to fire concerns but that seems to occur only during charging problems, have not seen any problem with the jump starter just sitting there.
I also take an assortment of spare fuses, screws etc as well as a tool kit.

texdog · #14 12-17-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swjohnsey

The lithium jump starters are relatively light and cheap. The one I have will start the RV-3, power my ipad or iPhone or act as a flashlight. A few tools certainly come in handy.

I've flown single engine in very remote places all over North America and the RV is a challenge because of the weight. I once propped a C182 twice a day for a week in Mexico working on the Baja, starter quit. I think the O-360 is almost impossible to prop. I'm planning a trip to Alaska in the spring, do you carry a spare, battery, starter, alternator, tubes and a front tire? It's pretty easy to get heavy in a hurry.

I followed a bald eagle from Casper, Wy. To the Artic Circle in a Citabria with just gas cans and a catalytic heater, but I was 40 years younger and dumber.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Canadian_JOY · #15 12-17-2018, 09:19 AM

One tool I've found invaluable is the Knipex Plier Wrench. Cheapest source is almost always Chad's Tool Box in Alaska. Get the 7.25" (170mm) size - it's perfect for our little airplanes and even opens large enough for that big axle nut.

https://chadstoolbox.com/86-03-180-k...pliers-wrench/

With respect to fuel drains, if you have one of the traditional CAV-110 fuel drains, just carry a spare that's already gooped up with pipe thread sealant, or carry a small tube of pipe thread sealant. You would be quite surprised how little fuel is lost in changing a fuel drain if one is prepared. Yeah, it's messy but I'd bet you can change one without losing more than a quart of fuel. Have done it a couple of times. The last time, with two of us, I doubt we lost more than a few tablespoons of gas, thanks to having a thumb quickly available to plug the hole while the new valve was moved into place.

Another thing I haven't seen here is mention of duct tape. ALWAYS have duct tape on hand. Either take a partial roll and flatten the cardboard roll or wind a few feet of it around a stick-style (e.x. Papermate) pen. The other thing I carry that's in the same vein is a part-tube of JB-Weld.

Last but not least, always have a good assortment of zip ties in your tool box. With zip ties, duct tape, JB-Weld and safety wire one can fix a broad array of minor aircraft issues.

Mel · #16 12-17-2018, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa38112

You can hand prop with a dead battery and fly to help unless you are fuel injected.

Not sure I understand the reasoning here. I've hand propped quite a few fuel injected aircraft in my time.

Boyd Birchler · #17 12-17-2018, 10:35 AM

In the past 46 years the wife an I have owned 21 different planes (for pleasure) and flown them collectively about 8500 hours. We have had 2 blow outs on touch down and 2 tires loose air pressure in flight. Have never had much trouble making repairs and not enough of a problem so far that I would contemplate carrying a spare.

I have had as many problems with exhaust system problems as tire problems, those usually caused delays waiting on parts to arrive.

EXflyer · #18 12-17-2018, 11:02 AM

Never had a tire problem when I was flying, two when I was working on them way back when. There is a limit on items to carry as back up where do you stop? Spare mag, plugs, tire, tube, battery, alternator? I think the best thing is for a battery problem install the proper aircraft style plug and have the adaptor with you. For a tire get one of those pressurized cans of goop that will inflate your tire and repair it. Beyond that just enjoy flying and look around to see how well things work without all of the spare parts.

Or get a surplus C130 like the other fellow said.

pa38112 · #19 12-17-2018, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel

Not sure I understand the reasoning here. I've hand propped quite a few fuel injected aircraft in my time.

Yes, good point. I was thinking of the electric pump type.

EXflyer · #20 12-17-2018, 11:13 AM

Never had a tire problem when I was flying, two when I was working on them way back when. There is a limit on items to carry as back up where do you stop? Spare mag, plugs, tire, tube, battery, alternator? I think the best thing is for a battery problem install the proper aircraft style plug and have the adaptor with you. For a tire get one of those pressurized cans of goop that will inflate your tire and repair it. Beyond that just enjoy flying and look around to see how well things work without all of the spare parts.

Or get a surplus C130 like the other fellow said.