building a private parts warehouse

[Jamie]

I've seen various people admit to buying parts they -may- need at some point because they're available now and may not be later.

 

At the risk of sounding like a hoarder, I'm wondering if I should be buying stuff against the day when it's either not made, or the price has gone way up for various reasons.

 

Thoughts? And if you think this is a good idea, suggestions for parts? Owning a Mooney less than a year, I'm not even sure what I'd want to have, or be on the look out for.

 

(Even if you discount the idea that parts may become more scarce, the federal reserve seems intent on inflating the debt away... stuff is getting / going to get more expensive. Think of it as an investment?)

[cbarry]

It's hard to go wrong with buying "stock" in what you use and others are likely to need to use--especially if in short supply. I think the trick is to discern "what" is most likely to be needed.

[cbarry]

I should have given an example: heim joints versus fuel selector valves...versus panel switches...

[Cruiser]

with the factory opening again, parts availability should not be the issue it has in the recent past.

 

If you fly frequently and need to avoid grounding your plane away from home, it makes good sense to carry or have available the most common and likely to fail components that you would expect to be able to replace in the field. 

 

Alternator

regulator

Mags

ignition harness

Attitude Indicator..... you get the idea.

 

some here may have a comprehensive list of spare parts you can carry in the plane with the tools to service them.

[Scott Aviation]

I think that is a fantastic idea. New thread maybe?

Tools to service basics while away

I won't carry a spare alt, starter mags etc those are considered 500-2000 hr items but a few handy tools?

[Jamie]

Well, I know at least two people that carry:

 

* spare spark plug and the socket it takes and

* a spare fuel quick drain thingy and whatever it takes to replace that.

 

I have a couple of quarts of oil laying in the hat rack, and I count that as a part.

[yvesg]

* a spare fuel quick drain thingy and whatever it takes to

Right on this one. Last spring I did not have one handy... now I do....see one of my previous threads.

Yves

[Jamie]

You're where I got the idea. And then when I asked my old flight instructor about it (he has a 172), he's all "yeah.. I carry one of those.". It's a failure in a part I'd never considered, but now...

 

I keep getting bogged down when I go to buy one. I admit I'm probably lazy here, or just a dumbass, but does anyone know which quick drain to get for an '81 J?

[Oscar Avalle]

You're where I got the idea. And then when I asked my old flight instructor about it (he has a 172), he's all "yeah.. I carry one of those.". It's a failure in a part I'd never considered, but now...

 

I keep getting bogged down when I go to buy one. I admit I'm probably lazy here, or just a dumbass, but does anyone know which quick drain to get for an '81 J?

Is it the same for a M20C (1970).? But hopefully the parts situation is going to improve with our reborn Mooney factory.  

[flight2000]

Here's the list of stuff in the back of my plane:

 

- 2 qts of oil

- rags

- spare spark plug

- small torque wrench

- various screw drivers and wrenches for common items

- 2 spare o-rings for the fuel caps

- windshield cleaner

- fuel tester cup

- spare bulbs

 

- cover for plane if I'm away from the hangar for an overnight

- cowl plugs

- pitot tube cover

 

Most of these are not all that heavy and I keep them strapped down in a box -- except the cover and plugs which fit nicely in the hat rack and won't hurt if I get plunked in the back of the head during turbulence if they happen to fly out of there... 

 

Brian

[Jamie]

That's very nearly my list except for the cover, torque wrench and spare bulbs. In the "various screw drivers and wrenches" dept, I put a large craftsman toolkit I got for christmas. It's probably overkill (in that there's stuff in there just taking up mass that I won't use), but it was better than nothing.

 

Here's what I'd like to see, either in this thread or future threads....

 

* What parts are easily replaceable in the field and can lead to stranding if you don't have one?

* What parts AREN'T user replaceable, will strand you if you don't have one, and can be problematic to acquire on short notice? (Keep one so the A&P can just install yours)

* What tools are required for those parts?

 

Oh, yeah... in addition to your list, I have a truck tire gauge for the tires.  I'd like to add a gats jar. So far I've been lucky in that there's been no water or contaminants in the fuel.

[fantom]

Toss a spare alternator belt in the kit.

[Mooneymite]

From my experience, I can tell you the best way to never need a certain part is to have a spare one!  If you really want to make sure you'll never need that part again, have two spares!  

[Scott Aviation]

Toss a spare alternator belt in the kit.

you know the prop's gotta come off to replace that right.. thats about a 2-4 hour job total...plus an oil mess...I dont know if I would carry a spare alt. belt for a const. speed engine.  PITA and if it does break...a mechainic nearby will most likely have one as they are very standard.

[yvesg]

You're where I got the idea. And then when I asked my old flight instructor about it (he has a 172), he's all "yeah.. I carry one of those.". It's a failure in a part I'd never considered, but now...

 

I keep getting bogged down when I go to buy one. I admit I'm probably lazy here, or just a dumbass, but does anyone know which quick drain to get for an '81 J?

Jamie, here it is:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/curtisflushmounted.php?clickkey=490490

Need 05-04888

Yves

[fantom]

...PITA and if it does break...a mechainic nearby will most likely have one as they are very standard.

 

Maybe in B.C., not not in a lot of other places, and not quite standard. Plus there are some tricks to keep it from being a PITA.

 

YMMV

[Mooneymite]

I carry a standard bolt as an emergency fuel quick drain.  If one leaks on the road, I can use this to stop the fuel leak while I scout out a proper replacement.  About $.40 at Lowes and there's no O-ring life limit on it.

 

Happily, I've never needed it.

[kmyfm20s]

Toss a spare alternator belt in the kit.

That's a problem because you have to pull the prop to put it on. I just replaced mine and bought a second and zipped tied it down for when its needed.

[fantom]

 I just replaced mine and bought a second and zipped tied it down for when its needed.

 

Just make sure it's very tight and check it often!

[KSMooniac]

That's a problem because you have to pull the prop to put it on. I just replaced mine and bought a second and zipped tied it down for when its needed.

My plane came with a spare belt zip-tied on the case as well and it has been there for quite a while.  I imagine it isn't too flexible anymore, but I left it alone during my prop change for that just-in-case situation.  My college flying club used to do this as well, although the likelihood of getting stranded away from home was pretty remote.

[NotarPilot]

Maybe in B.C., not not in a lot of other places, and not quite standard. Plus there are some tricks to keep it from being a PITA. YMMV

Please share. I would love to learn about this.

[fantom]

Please share. I would love to learn about this.

 

Being discussed in the last three posts.....

[FlyDave]

My plane came with a spare belt zip-tied on the case as well and it has been there for quite a while.  I imagine it isn't too flexible anymore, but I left it alone during my prop change for that just-in-case situation.  My college flying club used to do this as well, although the likelihood of getting stranded away from home was pretty remote.

My plane came with one also and when I had the prop sealed last year we left it in place (pic attached). It'll be pretty handy if the current belt breaks and I'm not near my mechanics shop.

 

 

[John Pleisse]

No Eagle Scouts? Duct Tape.

 

I have only gotten stuck twice in 1200 Mooney hours, both times were ailing mags. Slicks routinely go bad around 500 hours. At 400hrs on a set or when cold start cranking takes longer, I'd put a set of points, a couple of plugs and couplings in the back of the plane. In each case, I would have been flying same day or within a couple of hours, versus 24-48 hours.

 

Haven't taken my own advice yet.

[mike_elliott]

Toss a spare alternator belt in the kit.

But you have to yank the prop to change it. Better to keep in semi in place. I have a spare tied to the top of the engine, and around the crank flange "just in case" Granted, it is getting brittle with heat, but it only has to get me home. Every time the prop comes off, it gets a new belt, and the old one is relegated to my "hot" spare.