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:

Cameras

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…).

I also now use a GoPro and I’ve built a tail mount as well as a motor driven wing mount.

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!

Spot GPS rescue / messaging unit. Although I used to use a standard 406Mhz PLB, the Spot also allows for simple messaging which has proved to be invaluable.  A perfect example is that Betsy plans to lead a women’s hiking group this summer (2013) up to the top of Half Dome, and I’d like to do a fly-by (high enough to be legal) to get photos.  But Half Dome is a major undertaking and it would be impossible to accurately plan on when to do a fly by.   With the Spot, she will send a pre-arranged message when they are near the top of the cables, and I’ll take off from the nearest airport in Mariposa.  Once nearby we can establish radio communications via a handheld radio.  It will be awesome!

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.