The Gear

Pilots like to observe and compare what other pilots bring along for survival and comfort.  I know I do.  Here is what I bring:

Camera

I currently use a Canon G12 compact camera.  I would enjoy using a DSLR at times, but you can see many of my photos are out doing something active, and the G series and a nice strap system allows me to keep it with me and handy when I have a pack on or when climbing.  I think some of my best photos are not great photos on their technical merit, I just happen to be in a nice place at a nice time and the camera was handy.

I’ve been asked how I got that photo in the blog header (Its Mt. Shasta by the way).  I noticed there was an electronic remote for the G10 I had at the time, and since it is pretty small I thought it would work to mount it under my wing.  I took off an inspection panel, and made my own panel with a tripod ball mount on it.  (I safety-wire the camera onto the mount so it doesn’t slowly twist and drop off before I could land…).

One backpack with survival gear that goes on every flight:

• Hatchet / hammer
• Full shank knife
• Firestarter
• Waterproof matches
• Flint
• Duct Tape
• Cord
• Poncho / tarp
• Two pairs of hats and gloves
• Chemical hand warmers
  

  Underwing mount

• Some energy bars that I noticed are now rock hard
• Two military MREs (full meals)
• Case of bottled water (I used to carry large jugs, but someone suggested that it is less likely that all the little water bottles will rupture in the event of a crash landing)
• Camping repair kit
• Signal mirror
• Commercially purchased first aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito netting
• Flashlight (probably the fourth backup)
• Stove – An old MSR XGK mountaineering stove that will run on the plane’s avgas
• Cook kit
• Starbucks instant coffee!

406Mhz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). We got one in 2006 when taking our kids kayaking in Alaska, and it has really given us peace of mind when out in the backcountry or just flying around.  My wife recently gave me another one (the smaller, lighter 2nd generation PLB), so now the old one lives in the plane.  They are wonderful units and I hope that if I have to use it that it will be to help someone else.

Toolkit. I have small toolkit with a set of wrenches, a few spare sparkplugs, an alternator belt, wire ties, etc.   The plane has been very reliable, but I have had a few things go wrong when away.  My wing  flaps once did not retract while on the ground at Bryce Canyon, Utah.  I called my mechanic at home (Thanks Tom!!), and he described how to open up the wing and troubleshoot.  It turned out to be a connector, which I was able to wire-tie together, and which he later replaced.

Road Bikes on the way to Oregon

Daypack. I learned I needed this after canceling a few return flights because of weather, and ending up with only a suit to wear.  This contains jeans, shorts, T-Shirt, socks, running shoes, toiletries and some money. For those reading and taking note of what my plane looks like – not much money.  Like some of the other stuff, sometimes it gets left behind if I’m already packed for a few days.

Tent. A cheap one, although I have used it a few times.  But if I know I’m camping I’ll take a better one and leave this behind.

Sleeping bag. Also a cheap one, and also one I’ll leave behind if I pack a better one.

Snow boots. My survival kit has grown over the years.  I used to make sure I wore decent shoes, but got complacent and then realized I made some trips over snow country in basically dress shoes.  So now I have two pairs of snow boots of different sizes – and hope that if I’m with a passenger we can both fit in them.

Folding chairs. They are not survival items, but I use them fairly often and I love having them.  Sometimes if I get dropped off by a business client, I’ll take out a chair and just decompress for a few minutes before getting into the plane and “becoming a pilot”.  It helps clear my head and focus.

Folding Bike. I keep a Dahon folding bike in the plane, unless I’m bringing a mountain bike or road bike.  For mountain bikes I put down a bed sheet and basically throw the bikes in the back.  My road bike is a little too nice for that, so I made some homemade bike stands that hold them up without wheels so that it fits nicely in the back.  I then use seatbelts that are there for the seats that I removed to tie them down.

Bike Stand of Sorts

Fishermen’s Vest. I also keep one of those fishermen’s vests with all the pockets attached to my pilot’s seat.  In it are some critical items, and the theory is that I can grab that on the way out, and it may be the only thing I’ll end up with if there is a fire.  But there isn’t really much in it, a knife, matches, band aids, gauze, flashlight and strobe. I think I ate the energy bars.

Flight Stuff. Folding stool to check the fuel level, chocks, oil, tow bar, windscreen cleaner, etc.

It is a lot of stuff, and sometimes I look behind me when I’m flying and wonder what all that stuff is back there.  I do snoop around a bit when I’m parked at other airports and I seem to carry far more than other pilots do.  But I have the room, and it seems prudent to have – so what the heck.