Check List One

Looking at the previous version of this page made me realise how things change over the years! The first version of this page was written when I wasn’t organised the way I am now. (2005). When I go flying these days, all I need to remember is the flight box, heli and tranny. What happens is the flight box lives most of the year in the boot of the car, and during the summer months, so do the heli and tranny!

Flight Box

There are many posts on RunRyder.net about this subject, and for the last few years I’ve been using a tool box, readily available here in sunny UK, from B&Q. Its on wheels and has a pulling handle that extends, and contains all the essentials for a day’s flying, apart from the flask of coffee, cigs and a folding chair to sit on…when I get the chance to sit that is!

The flight box contains the following core stuff:

Fuel
Battery
Power panel
Plumbing
Electrics

This makes a self contained unit with all the ground handling equipment needed to get in the air! In addition, the box carries all the essential bits and pieces you’ll always need at the field. In reality, it carries everything I need to build a machine at the field.

I don’t muck around!

Here’s the list of the current contents.

Allen key/drivers
Glo Plug socket/spanner
Various screw drivers, flat and Phillips
Watch makers screw drivers
Needle point pliers
Ball joint pliers
Spare glo plugs Enya 3 and OS 8 normally
Insulating tape
Double sided sticky (servo) tape
Five minute epoxy
Super Glue
Red and blue Loktite
A few cloths for wiping down
Glo lead
Super Nova fast charger and leads to charge batteries at the field
Starter motor. Sullivan Dynatron
Starter shaft
Various spare bits of fuel tubing
Gas powered soldering iron and solder, just in case
Selection of rubber bands, always useful
Pitch gauge
Box of spare nuts and bolts

That’s the ESENTIAL list of bits and pieces but I collect other stuff in the box like spare tail blades and a few servo extension wires. Every now and then I have a clear out and get back to the basic list! Below is a picture of the box I'm still using after about three years, and perched on top is the Concept 30 I learned on.

Also useful if you forget your collapsible chair!