Adventure Flying Guide – Equipment
Safety equipment is discussed on the Safety page of this guide. This page will cover the rest of the equipment that is useful to carry with you on an adventure. Not all of it will apply to every trip, of course! The length, duration and nature of your trip will dictate exactly what kind of things you’ll need to carry.
Cockpit equipment
It’s good to keep cockpit clutter to a minimum, but there are a few items that are very handy to have. Ensure everything has a designated storage place to keep it out the way and secure when not in use.
- An Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headset is very useful if you’re flying longer legs, to reduce fatigue, and also helps with understanding unfamiliar accents over the radio, or poor quality radio transmissions.
- iPad or other tablet for running an Electronic Flight Bag and similar programs, and holding flight documents
- Charging cables for any cockpit equipment
- Some small plastic rubbish bags for keeping the cockpit clean and tidy.
- Drinks and snacks, appropriate for the length of flight!
- Sunglasses
Add photos: cockpit set up with all equipment stowed/organised.
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Tools
This is what I carry for working on the Cessna 182. Your aircraft may vary; work with your mechanic to determine exactly what you need to carry.
- Leatherman Surge multi-tool
- Screwdriver with assorted interchangeable heads
- Spark plug lead wrench (5/16″ on my engine)
- Crow foot and deep sockets/wrench for spark plugs (7/8″ on my engine)
- Other wrenches/sockets as required; for example, I carry ones for use on my cowl flaps, wheels, and wheel fairings among others.
- A couple of adjustable wrenches
- Socket and accessories for oil filter removal (1″, typically)
- 3/32″ Allen wrench to remove avionics
- Safety wire pliers and safety wire
- Side cutters (for cutting safety wire)
- Needle nose pliers
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Spare parts and consumables
The following are what I took on the flight around the world. A shorter trip may need less. You need to strike a balance between having plenty of spares, and weight/space; if it comes to it, there’s rarely anywhere that you can’t get an item shipped to in an emergency.
- Spark plugs, spark plug rings, and anti-seize
- Tire inner tubes for main and nose tires
- Oil filters
- Engine oil
- Air filter
- Spare screws and other fasteners
- Fuel tank sump drain
- Duct tape
- Cable ties
- 1 gallon ziploc bags (to put over the oil filter during removal and avoid spills)
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Other equipment
There are plenty of other items that are useful, depending on the nature of your trip:
- Aircraft cabin cover; added security and protection from sun and water ingress.
- Pitot cover and cowl plugs; especially in the tropics, insects and animals like to find their way in.
Photo: covers and plugs
- High visibility jacket. Many foreign airports require these to be worn!
- Electrical adapters; ensure you have the correct electrical adapter for the countries you’ll be flying through, to run and charge your electrical items when on the ground!
- Lightweight/folding tow-bar if appropriate for your aircraft. No airports you visit are likely to have a suitable tow bar.
- Tie-down equipment. Ropes at a minimum, and for remote trips, tie-down stakes. My preferred tie-down device is “The Claw”.
- Chocks (2 sets). Most big international airports won’t have small enough chocks. I like the lightweight metal versions.
- Throttle lock, and propeller lock, for security in more troublesome locations.
Add photos of throttle lock and tow bar, chocks, claw/tie-downs
- Hand-operated fuel pump, and fuel hose, for fueling from barrels.
- Filter funnel such as “Mr Funnel” in case of questionable fuel.
- Light-weight work gloves (great for fueling in the Arctic!)
- Foot pump for tire inflation.
- “TravelJohn” and/or “TravelJane” disposable urinals – essential for those longer flights!
- Cleaning equipment; window cleaner, spray wax, microfiber towels, paper shop towels.
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