Emergency Tool Kit

[Don.Tulsa]

I'm thinking of putting together a small bag of tools to carry with me and was wondering, what would you suggest and why? Looking forward to cooler weather this fall

[Mooney Dog]

screw drivers, pliers, some socket wrenches, a bottle of alcohol, and a phone for when i finally give up. 

 

In truth, carrying 2 screw driver has ben the biggest help for me. ones that you can change the heads. That along with pliers have fixed most my small issues when not at home base. 

[Marauder]

I'm thinking of putting together a small bag of tools to carry with me and was wondering, what would you suggest and why? Looking forward to cooler weather this fall

Spark plug, socket wrench, open end wrench that fits the harness nut, tire pressure gauge, wire ties, needle nose pliers, wire strippers, assorted wire connectors, multi tip screwdriver, safety wire and safety wire twister.

Reasons: fouled plugs are something I experienced a few times. Also have done repairs on broken or loose wire connections.

On longer trips, I carry a spare set of tubes.


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[carusoam]

This is a good annual discussion…

That doesn’t get found easily using the MS search…

A Google search will be better….

The word ‘kit’ is one letter too short for the search function…

 

I used tool kit as one word for this….

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q="Tool kit"&quick=1&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy

It gives a few pages that you can see people have asked the same question in the title of a few threads….

 

Often things brought along depend on where and when you fly….

 

Most popular items are things to fix a spark plug, fuel injector, or a leaky tire tube…. Some carry a few relays

The Outback Mooniacs carry a Survival kit which may include food, water, blankets and fire starting devices….

The urban Mooniacs carry a financial tool kit… visa, Amex, Mastercard…

The tech Mooniacs carry spare navcom devices… radio, GPS, cell phone, battery, GPS satcom locators…. Enough to get found wherever they may land….

 

What kind of Mooniac are you?

How much do you rely on your Mooney for everyday transportation?

 

Mooniacs are all the same, and all different, at the same time…   
 

Marauder is up late tonight!

Pp thoughts only…

Best regards,

-a-

[M20F]

Tools don’t do much for you without parts.  Spare spark plugs, wire, tape, tire/tube, etc.  I would focus some on what things might break and carry those around as well.  
 
I generally carry a main tire and tube along with a starter (I have a Skytec with 12yrs on it, any day now I figure).  The tire because you can always find somebody to replace, hard sometimes to get the actual tire.  
 
You can’t carry a spare engine but at minimum spark plugs and electrical wire can fix a lot of problems. 

[M20F]

Electrical wire example would be my master switch went out.  I never of course did this because it would be against the rules.  But let’s just say you can snake a wire and make a connection with a nut and bolt to build your own master switch in a pinch.  

[kortopates]

Over 20 yrs flying my Mooney all over and I find all I really need is a credit card and multi-screwdriver; basically just enough tools to de-cowl the engine to inspect. Even though I am licensed mechanic, I can't carry enough tools to do a proper job to do most anything but I can find a mechanic almost anywhere that has them and the ability to get parts over night. The one exception was flying to Cuba where I carried some very basic tools and a spare spark plug because there is not even fuel except at a couple airports.

Much more importantly to me is the survival kit for longer flights away from home where the CC is useless after an off field landing far from civilization; especially with the possibility of injuries and being alone at least the first night. Before needing to rely on the survival pack I try to stack the odds in favor of a short event with 406 ELT, PLB and Garmin InReach to communicate my needs. 

[N201MKTurbo]

About 30 years ago somebody gave me this cheap ass tool kit. It is in a plastic case about a foot square and an inch thick. It has some sockets and end wrenches, screwdrivers and hex keys, oh and a worthless pair of channel lock type pliers. 
 

I was embarrassed to own it. , so I just threw it on the hat rack in the Mooney. 
 

That cheap ass tool kit has saved my bacon more times than I can count.

[Seymour]

AOG (see other thread) and REALLY wishing that I put that old, small, cheap multimeter in the Mooney tool bin instead of tossing it.  It would have saved me time, frustration and AMU in my current predicament.   ...and I purchased TWO starter solenoids, one for now and one for the future failure (that will never occur if I carry a spare).  Other than that, a leatherman multi-tool, a small spool of wire and a small swiss army knife seem adequate for my comfort level of repairs.  

...and like @M20F I may start carrying around the new SkyTek starter I just purchased (that turned out NOT to be the issue).  

The survival pack is a whole different thread, but includes a 406Mhz PLB, first aid kit, power bars, etc, etc

[carusoam]

There must be a name for the following situation….

related to preparation and having the tools to get things done…

Whatever breaks… you will need the one tool you left behind…

So… bring a lot of tools….  
 

-a-

[M20F]

4 minutes ago, carusoam said:

There must be a name for the following situation….

related to preparation and having the tools to get things done…

Whatever breaks… you will need the one tool you left behind…

So… bring a lot of tools….  
 

-a-

Many of us here have a lot of tools in the hanger.  You can get by with minimal tools.  It’s the broken part and lack of replacement that gets you. 
 
If you are building a go kit make it about the parts.  Likewise if you make a survival kit pack the bullets to go with the gun.   

[carusoam]

Many of the middle country Mooniacs carry weapons along… Middle of the US and Canada….

There can be some dangerous animals around when you land far from anyone….

 

East Coast Flying… there is an airport every 25nms… lots of cell towers, and ADSB out….   But, even NJ has some bears and coyotes…. 

Best regards,

-a-

 

[BobbyH]

55 minutes ago, nosky2high said:

Don’t forget a good set of vise-grips in case the door handle breaks.

Hate it when that happens!

[Marauder]

Over 20 yrs flying my Mooney all over and I find all I really need is a credit card and multi-screwdriver; basically just enough tools to de-cowl the engine to inspect. Even though I am licensed mechanic, I can't carry enough tools to do a proper job to do most anything but I can find a mechanic almost anywhere that has them and the ability to get parts over night. The one exception was flying to Cuba where I carried some very basic tools and a spare spark plug because there is not even fuel except at a couple airports.
Much more importantly to me is the survival kit for longer flights away from home where the CC is useless after an off field landing far from civilization; especially with the possibility of injuries and being alone at least the first night. Before needing to rely on the survival pack I try to stack the odds in favor of a short event with 406 ELT, PLB and Garmin InReach to communicate my needs. 

Like this:





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[Browncbr1]

I have a small bag that I labeled 10lbs.  

1. extra spark plugs
2. socket & torque wrench w/ extension
3. extra intake gaskets
4. aluminum tape, 3m electrical tape
5. Tube of RTV, tiny bottle of triflow
6. 1qt of oil, w/ filler neck
7. zip ties, paper towels, nitrile gloves
8. small digital multimeter, (one that can ring continuity)
9. screw driver with different heads
10. safety wire & safety wire pliers
11. set of crows feet, w/ socket bar
12. Extra alternator belt
13. flashlight, flares, whistle, misc first aid stuff.
14. extra fuses as per night flight requirements
15. fuel qty dip stick, fuel sump cup

 

 

[Marauder]

I have a small bag that I labeled 10lbs.  

1. extra spark plugs
2. socket & torque wrench w/ extension
3. extra intake gaskets
4. aluminum tape, 3m electrical tape
5. Tube of RTV, tiny bottle of triflow
6. 1qt of oil, w/ filler neck
7. zip ties, paper towels, nitrile gloves
8. small digital multimeter, (one that can ring continuity)
9. screw driver with different heads
10. safety wire & safety wire pliers
11. set of crows feet, w/ socket bar
12. Extra alternator belt
13. flashlight, flares, whistle, misc first aid stuff.
14. extra fuses as per night flight requirements
15. fuel qty dip stick, fuel sump cup

 
 

I like the idea of adding the intake gasket and aluminum tape to mine. The tape would have come in handy when one of the oil door latches broke.


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[Hank]

This is my toolkit. It all fits into the Rubbermaid container, with room to spare. It's a perfect fit behind the back seat. My travel quart of oil stands in front of it.

[Bob E]

On 6/28/2022 at 9:15 AM, nosky2high said:

Don’t forget a good set of vise-grips in case the door handle breaks.

I'm surprised this isn't on everyone's list. Mooneys have one door handle, held in place by a pin. Sooner or later that pin will break from ordinary wear, the door handle will fall off in your hand, and you'll be trapped in your aircraft, looking at end of the door latch spindle.  A small vise-grip suffices as a substitute door handle. 

I've been flying the same M20C for 35 years now, and the little vise-grip saved the day all three times it happened.

Otherwise, the likelihood of being able to use whatever tools you bring with you to fix your (properly maintained) aircraft at some distant airport is pretty low. The only other tools I've found useful to have along are a couple of screwdrivers. For long trips bring an oil fill funnel, an air pump that plugs into the cigarette lighter, a bottle jack, and spare nose and main tubes.

Edited July 3, 2022 by Bob E

[75_M20F]

A cellphone and a credit card are all you need. I don't see the practicality of flying around a bunch of tools and parts all the time. Besides whatever part you need or tool you need will be the one you didn't have.

Edited July 2, 2022 by 75_M20F

[Joshua Blackh4t]

Learn to talk about sports and guns. That way you can talk to local rednecks who have unlimited tools that they will be glad to show off.

Screwdrivers, some rags, spray lubrication and spray cleaner.

And yeah, I really need to keep something for when the door gets me. 

 

[MikeOH]

On 7/2/2022 at 7:11 AM, 75_M20F said:

A cellphone and a credit card are all you need. I don't see the practicality of flying around a bunch of tools and parts all the time. Besides whatever part you need or tool you need will be the one you didn't have.

I believe in back up tools; therefore, I carry TWO credit cards

(Honest admission: I do carry a pair of vice-grips for the door!)

[Jcmtl]

probably a good idea to carry an inner tube for the nose wheel and the mains.  Its easy to find someone to fix it.  That person may not have the tube in stock, meaning you could be stuck somewhere for a day or two, waiting on the part to come in.  happened to me last weekend.  

[Rwsavory]

Carrying a spare part in the plane insures that you will never need it. 

[M20F]

13 hours ago, Jcmtl said:

probably a good idea to carry an inner tube for the nose wheel and the mains.  Its easy to find someone to fix it.  That person may not have the tube in stock, meaning you could be stuck somewhere for a day or two, waiting on the part to come in.  happened to me last weekend.  

This is the point I am making.  The parts get you and for the most part all the things that can ruin your day are fairly small and light to go up in the hat rack.  Better to make a good parts list than decide whether you carry 1/4” or 1/2” socket sets.  

[rakesb]

On 6/26/2022 at 1:28 PM, Don.Tulsa said:

I'm thinking of putting together a small bag of tools to carry with me and was wondering, what would you suggest and why? Looking forward to cooler weather this fall

Mike Busch has written one or more articles on this subject. Here is a link to one of his articles:

https://resources.savvyaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/articles_aopa/AOPA_2017-07_traveling-toolkit.pdf
 

Here’s a link to another good article on AVweb:

https://www.avweb.com/ownership/the-traveling-tool-kit/