My plane is severely limited in cargo volume (not so much weight) and as a result, I try to brings things that can serve several purposes. Here's some of my multipurpose tools.

Similar to other posts on the preheater thread, I'm using an aluminum dryer vent to get heat into my engine. The difference is that it is also my cook stove. The MSR firefly is a light weight stove that is great for cooking and can get the engine warm in about a half hour when the temps are around 15-25 F. If it's colder than that I'm gonna stay in the sack.




Another multiuse device is my surplus shovel. I sharpened one side so it can be used for a half-assed axe. I wouldn't want to chop trees down with it, but I can easily cut brances for a fire or tent poles. I lengthened the handle so it can also be used to support the plane while fixing flat tires. To do this I use a wire run through a hole drilled in the end of the handle to loosely hold the shovel in place.



Then I lift at the strut attach points to lift the plane high enough that the shovel swings under the gear leg and is in place to support the plane.



With the shovel tightened at 90 degrees, it will support my wee little plane even on soft ground.


I'd like to hear about more home grown multipurpose equipment.

tom

Sleepingbag/Engine Blanket. Leatherman. Duct tape. Hatchet. Zip ties.

Whiskey:

First aid, anti-freeze, currency, bug repellant, local talent attractant, airplane fuel, and for snake bites.

Gump

GumpAir wrote:Whiskey:

First aid, anti-freeze, currency, bug repellant, local talent attractant, airplane fuel, and for snake bites.

Gump

It's also more compact than an equivalent beer or wine.

tom

I like the dual use shovel! In the past I have used the old trick of blocking up the plane with whatever was handy, then digging out under the tire in order to fix a flat. I just recently started packing a hatchet, sharp and light with a composite handle. Since I got my Flytie tie downs I needed something to pound them in with, it's kind of a lousy hammer but it works.

courierguy wrote:I like the dual use shovel! In the past I have used the old trick of blocking up the plane with whatever was handy, then digging out under the tire in order to fix a flat. I just recently started packing a hatchet, sharp and light with a composite handle. Since I got my Flytie tie downs I needed something to pound them in with, it's kind of a lousy hammer but it works.

I forgot to mention that I use the shovel to pound in the tie downs and pull them back out. Not the best tool, but it works.
tom

Once the flat is fixed, how do you get the plane off of the shovel?

Nice use of the shovel Savannah-Tom! Great pictures too!

Fisherman wrote:Once the flat is fixed, how do you get the plane off of the shovel?

I remove the wire from the handle and strut, lift and shove either forward or backward, then lower it to the ground.

tom

Never thought about using my MSR Whisperlite like that in a jam. In a jam, I have used plastic dryer hose hooked to the end of the exhaust on a vehicle. I'm going to get some aluminum hose and add that to my kit. Thanks for the idea

Zane, feel free to split this thread there if you want and if there is enough discussion. So for those of us less mechanically inclined, would you guys with more experience give a step by step run through of some on the ways you fix a flat in field? I saw a backcountry program on PBS years ago and on one program the host showed how to take the tire off, stuff it with anything you can find to help it keep its shape, put it back together, and fly out to get it fixed. Of course you'd have to have the basic tools to take the thing off. Any other methods you guys have used?

Savannah-Tom wrote:

Fisherman wrote:Once the flat is fixed, how do you get the plane off of the shovel?

I remove the wire from the handle and strut, lift and shove either forward or backward, then lower it to the ground.

tom

Ah, the old removing the wire trick. Eh Chief? Jacks are heavy. Wooden sticks are not. Very handy!

Grassstrippilot wrote:..... would you guys with more experience give a step by step run through of some on the ways you fix a flat in field? ........ how to take the tire off, stuff it with anything you can find to help it keep its shape, put it back together, and fly out to get it fixed. ........

A spare tube doesn't weigh much, or take up much room. I have one stashed under my seat. I also carry a spare (used) tailwheel tire & tube stashed, plus a small bag of tools. Friends make fun of me for having this stuff when not on a back-country trip, but you can be just as stuck at an urban airport if there's no spares available. And even at an FBO, spare tubes are often scarce except for (maybe) 600x6-- good luck finding 800's, 850's, or tailwheels.

Eric

Grassstrippilot wrote: So for those of us less mechanically inclined, would you guys with more experience give a step by step run through of some on the ways you fix a flat in field?

That's a good request. I someone chooses to write about this, start a new topic.

I actually filled a tire with hay, replacing the split wheel to hold it in, to get me back to the real world! it was a Very light plane.

KB

Hay, sand, rocks...

If it's round, if it rolls, it works. At least enough to get you home. And tailwheel... Who needs a tailwheel. Sliding is almost as good as rolling.

I carry a can or two of fix-a-flat, a patch kit, and a spare main tube. Tailwheel tire/tube I never worry about.

Gump

I had a tailwheel go out in the field. I was advised to use the green slime stuff. That stuff works great! now the tail wheel holds air the best. One day I'm going to get around to replacing the tube as I'm not sure slime is FAA aproved. If not, it should be. Merry Christmas Everyone!

my main and nose tubes already have SLIME in them...i fugure why get a damn flat if i don't have to.
have changed a tube at indian ck on middle fork last yr, using some 10-12 " motor-cycle tire-irons. never took the tire off the rim, just jacked it up enough to take the pressure off. the trick way to put air back in is use our trail-bike co2 cannister guns. small and compact....gump said fixaflat, and they can work sometimes. the slime works on my bikes all the time, as it is already in place should u catch something sharp...merry xmas all!