Not the usual stuff like charts, headset, survival gear, but something you don’t leave without. Maybe it’s helped you out before. Maybe you just like having it with you. When did it come in handy? Did you learn the hard way to always pack it?

My wife. She's good looking and is much better at PR than I am. And if she's along it automatically means I have enough water, sunscreen, snacks, and probably a PB&J in the plane, whereas I show up places and realize I forgot any food and water and end up with a sunburn.

A family member or friend, sharing makes it all worthwhile. Otherwise its somewhat mission specific and seasonal, for example a collapsible boat in the summer, snowshoes in the winter.

#1 InReach SE, extra charging cables, USB battery bricks (don’t forget to charge). Also, Garmin allows credit balances which makes it easy to keep your subscription active if you are away somewhere where there’s no Internet connection. I keep about a $300.00 balance with Garmin.

#2 PLB, EPIRB ( check expiration dates) personal in backpack not in aircraft for hiking etc.

#3 Gerber multi tool

#4 Florence X hoodies and rash guards (sun protection)

#5 Check lists written or printed (I have about 50 checklists that are interchangeable for location and season). Checklists are dynamic and changing often!

Here’s an example of a hand written check list to go to Australia and fly with a buddy of mine NSW:

I always pack everything. Total weight is about 45 lbs. I did leave my 14 lb tool bag out 3 times. Every time I did I needed it, so it always flys. Never saw a good reason to leave anything behind.
DENNY

“One thing” I take is everything I need to take care of a flat; main or tail wheel. Adds up to a lot of stuff!

Zane +++1

I can't help but be reminded of a thread many years ago in which condoms and a credit card were a suggested survival kit item. We all scratched our heads at the first one, but it was revealed that they apparently have many uses beyond their marketed purpose: as a dromedary bag...well i can't think of the others. Will have to dig that thread up.

Tailwheel tire and tube mounted on a spare wheel ready to swap out and tools to do the job.

For long remote cross country flights (I.e. BC, AK):

#1 Shaker siphon
#2 Fuel jugs or bladders
#3 Electric transfer pumps and filters (en route)

A couple of 1quart ziplock/sicksacks. Multiple uses.

G44 wrote:Tailwheel tire and tube mounted on a spare wheel ready to swap out and tools to do the job.

A tool kit, goes without saying.
I used to carry a spare t/w tire & tube, but horse-traded my way into a complete spare 8" tailwheel, so now I carry that instead.
Plus an inner tube for the mains-- a lot of airports, you'd be lucky to find even a 600x6 tube, let alone an 850.
And out in the boonies...forget it.

Tools, selection of hardware, tailwheel tube and an old tire, main tube, sleeping bag, tarp, Pump, book, TP, rope, water, jacket, oil, firelighting stuff and most times a bicycle.

Are flat tailwheels that common to haul around a spare?

On hard pack ground is a flat tail wheel really that bad?

I’ve had two in 1500 hrs. Both on airport. Never had a main flat but have lent a tube twice also.

StillLearning wrote:Are flat tailwheels that common to haul around a spare?

On hard pack ground is a flat tail wheel really that bad?

Dunno how bad they are to operate on, the two flat t/w tires I've had were discovered when taxiing.
But it's so easy to carry the means to fix it, why wouldn't you?
Just like carrying a little tool kit-- it seems dumb to possibly be stuck or at least handicapped from the lack of a socket set or a wrench.
I've probably used the tools I carry to help others as much or more as I've used them on my own plane.

The inland Pacific Northwest can get brutally hot and sunny in the Summer. Camp chair and shade is paramount!

The chair is also nice for stargazing. And contemplating the meaning of life.

A very good quality folding knife, clipped to my pants pocket.

My 30Ah USB power bank. It's saved my butt a few times.

We went on a fly around with 8 planes once and camped at the Big Blow North of Illiamna Lake. The next morning we left and flew too McGrath. Before we could continue we needed to replace 3 tubes and one tire. Sometimes all it takes is the right conditions and a little low pressure to cause problems. Had a buddy stuff a 185 tailwheel with game bags to complete a hunt North of the brooks he said it worked as good as a tube.
DENNY