What tools and spare parts would you bring?

[jaime72]

I am compiling a list of tools and spare parts I would like to assemble and keep with the plane. I am especially looking for idea's that some would consider "essential" for a trip from Tacoma WA to Anchorage AK via the ALCAN Highway in early January.

What would you make sure came along in your plane for this type of a trip over cold and remote northern Canada and Alaska?

Looking forward to seeing what others view as important to bring along. Thanks in advance.

Jaime

[Robert Eilers]

Jamie72 - Most of us have developed the habit of carrying a spare tailwheel - some just the tire and tube - others the entire wheel assembly ready to install. I also carry a spare main tailwheel spring leave. I carry a spare vented fuel cap. When I am planning on flying over wilderness areas I carry a survival pack that includes some of the following; tent, space blankets, compass, axe, collapsable wood saw, water purification tablets, water container, small camp stove (capable of buring avgas), bug spray, mosquito netting, first aid kit, wilderness fishing kit, sewing kit, mirror, whistle, fire staring materials, water proof matches, or Bic lighter, some sort of emergency rations, string, rope and a sleeping bag. That is the best I can do from memory - I adjust the contents depending on whether I am flying over winter wilderness or summer wilderness. I also carry an assorment of small tools and safety wire.

[blueldr]

A spare Scott tail wheel is very expensive. My solution is a very inexpensive pneumatic industrial wheel of the same diameter from Harbor Freight Tools and an axle bushing and side spacers. A short piece of 1/2" copper pipe will bush the axle hole from 5/8" DOWN TO 1/2" and 5/8" washers will s space it in the center of the fork. Total less than ten bucks. After all, it's only for an emergency!
Another serious consideration should be emergency drinking water. in many situations, water may well be more important than food. However, if you're planning the trip for the winter weather, water may be the least of your worries. Fur lined skivvies come to mind.

[jaime72]

Fur-lined skivvies? I like the idea of that, sounds warm. Survival gear is kind of a no-brainer. I do lots of high altitude and cold weather stuff, so mountaineering tents, winter bags, dry-bags for the goodies, stoves and other survival gear is pretty simple to put together. I think I could even figure out how to use it if the need arises!

I was planning on the standard TW tire and tube as well as a main TW spring. But the idea of a complete TW assembly hadn't entered my mind, need to look into that. What about very specific tools/parts to the 170 that would be impossible to get in the middle of nowhere that are relatively easy/inexpensive to bring along?

Jaime

[jrenwick]

Here are some things off the top of my head:

Rudder return springs, and what ever tools you need to change them.
Complete set of light bulbs.
Assortment of sheet metal screws, 10-32 screws, nuts, washers, Tinnerman nuts, etc.
Spare tank drain valves.
Replacement starter clutch, if you have a Delco-Remy starter.
Cowling latch hardware.
Voltage regulator from a Chevy pickup (Not authorized, of course, but sort of like BL's tailwheel from Harbor Freight. George posted the model and year somewhere.)

Those are some things I've had to replace over the years; others can add their favorites and build a list.

John

[GAHorn]

Duct tape and a bottle of bourbon.

[Zreyn]

Amen to the duct tape,just add safty wire & McAllens single malt!

[Robert Eilers]

My pack has always (since 1969)contained a pint of Jack Daniels and a stick of Salamie. I personally believe Salamie is often over looked as an excellent survival ration. Salamie is compact, stays well, and is calorie dense and much more palatable than the brick type emergency rations. I have not developed a taste for the MRE. I remember when our rations came in tin cans and you had to guess what was inside most of the time. My favorite is still eggs and ham.

[blueldr]

If we carried "C Rations", pork and beans were my favorite. If they were "I F 2" (In Flight type 2) rations in the smaller cans, I preferred either the ham and eggs or the potted meat. God damn Sam! Those were the good old days.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

When I travel with my plane I carry enough tools to nearly completely disassemble the whole airplane because I would be comfortable doing so. Your tool list might be more limited depending on what you would be comfortable doing to your aircraft.

I would have 2 sizes of good Vise Grip pliers, a pair of safety wire pliers a pair of slip joint pliers. A full set of open/box end wrenches from 1/4 to 1". A 1/4 drive ratchet, extensions and sockets. a 3/8 drive ratchet, extensions and sockets. I'd add to that what ever drive, extensions and socket I needed to remove spark plugs. At least 3 flat tip screw drivers from small to large. A #1 and #2 Phillips head screw driver and an inspection mirror. A small ball peen hammer and a few sizes of steel drift pins as well as a brass one and a center punch. A utility knife, flash light an awl a round and a flat file, some rags and a set of jumper cables. Because I carry tire tubes I also have a small 12 volt air pump. Like I said I carry more than this but this would be the minimum.

As for repair parts I would have one of each type of fuel drain, a tail wheel tube and tire, a main wheel tube, 032 safety wire, a few screws of various sizes for the cowling and other inspection plates. Some sheet gasket material, duct tape and a good coat hanger or two.

Luxury parts in the order I might collect them would be a main tail spring, a magneto, and a whole tail wheel assembly because it is easier to replace the whole thing than tire and tube.

The main tail spring, tail wheel tire and tube are easy. If you don't know the time in service or they are getting old replace them now with new and keep the old parts for spare.

[hilltop170]

Don't forget a small container of 5606 brake fluid and a bicycle tire pump. Tire pressure drops noticibly below zero.

A bright, low battery drain light source such as LED flashlight or LED emergency flasher found at auto supply stores. The new night vision goggles government rescue pilots use can see those for many miles at night.

Don't forget Canada requires a 406 ELT after February.

If at all possible fly the coast route. Temps along the coast will be 30-70°F warmer than the interior route where a sprained ankle could be fatal. If you can plan ahead at all, there will be periods of three to five days at a time of clear weather between systems.

I like Skippy Peanut butter for survival food. High in protein, dense, and just a little sweet. Would be a nice complement to the salami.

[jaime72]

Bruce,

Just the type of list I was looking for. Most of the items I was already planning on, but there were definitely alot of add-on's I need to consider. I forgot about the fuel tank drains. I seem to freeze those up on a regular basis up here, hmm.... TW, tube and tire are all = to or < 200 hours as well as TW spring, will bring a spare though.

For the 1/4" drive and 3/8' drive sets what sockets would you carry? Full metric and US sizes? US only? Extensions and elbows?

One thing I am wondering about is the ELT issue. After speaking to the Crazy Canucks it sounds like they may be issuing waivers for transient GA aircraft for awhile. In fact, they haven't even decided on the issue completely. I guess lots of feedback has them wondering. It ain't looking cheap for a panel actuated 406 at this point, but they sure are nice.....Goal is to definitely have the plane north before Feb 1, weather permitting.

Coast route? Hmm...we did look at that. I will be flying up with an Alaskan Air pilot and CAP instructor who flies that SE AK route on a regular basis. We would love to fly that route, but even with 55gal useable fuel and the SE weather patterns it is iffy. You pretty much need the perfect strong high pressure when you leave Vancouver. Looks fun though. Sure you can pretty much always put down somewhere, but put down somewhere and fly away later? Not as sure of a bet as the interior route. We will ultimately make that decision 1-2 days before based on weather. My equipment has been tested out in high winds and -30 to -40 degree temps. One thing I am happy about is sleeping out in the cold!

Thanks again all. Right now plan has me off to Seattle on January 2nd with Jan 2-14 available to make the trip.

Jaime

[W.J.Langholz]

Jaime

It would be nice for you to tke some pics of the trip and give us a little story when your done. Sounds exciting...good luck!

W.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Jaime I carry a full set of both 1/4 and 3/8 drive standard sockets as well as standard deep sockets. Over kill I know. I do leave the metrics at home.

You only need to carry those things unique to the 170 that your not likely to find along the way or your sure will break and want to have on hand. The right fuel drains and tail spring fall into this category. I don't carry 5606 because it should be easy to find and if I can't find it it won't stop me from flying someplace that has it. A leaking fuel drain might stop me and the right ones might be hard to find. The tail wheel tire and tube fall into this category. Short of that you need stuff that will get you out of a pickle to help. Duck tape, safety wire coat hangers fall into that category.

[hilltop170]

Jaime-
Take at least 200ft of arctic extension cord if you are using an electric engine heater. Parking next to an electric outlet is not always possible.

I know the guy you are flying with, good choice. Another positive for the coast route is Alaska Airlines stops at just about every place you will be stopping in Alaska. If you do get caught by weather you can get an easy ride home. If you get caught in Canada, the airline options are not as good. I'll personally take coast weather any day over interior weather at -30 to -45°F. My cutoff is -20°F and the plane doesn't like it any colder than that either. Watson Lake is usually the coldest spot on the highway route so I always try to fly over without stopping or schedule Watson for a quick fuel stop only.

I flew a Birddog from Oregon to Anchorage last January and we had CAVU weather up the coast from Ketchikan north. Coming out of Oregon, we had to deviate east to Penticton, Kamloops, Prince George, and Terrace to get around a storm over Vancouver Island. Look a couple of days out in advance every morning and make your decision based on best weather. NavCanada has good weather info on their website and their FSS briefers are usually excellent.

Good luck