Common Aircraft Equipment That Every Strip Should Have

Written by: Start Pac

For many plane owners, flying out of local airstrips is the usual way to get in the air. Taking off from a rural location such as a grass field can be troublesome if you don’t have even the most rudimentary maintenance tools available. Whether it’s a portable power supply or an all-purpose service cart, there are some items that should just always be on hand.

Spark Plug Tools

As any pilot knows, keeping an eye on spark plugs can be the difference between incident-free trips and an emergency freeway landing. Keeping the right tools on hand to quickly swap out plugs is kind of a no-brainer in the plane maintenance equipment department. At the very least, you should have a gap gauge and an inspection light nearby at all times.

Hydraulic Jacks

The uses for a topnotch hydraulic jack are almost too numerous to count. It should go without saying that a quality jack is going to set you back a bit. However, the cost is nothing compared to the convenience of being able to jack up your Cessna when the need arises. Fortunately, it’s not tough to find other plane owners to chip in on a jack purchase.

Starting Boosters

If you buy just one tool for your plane, make it a battery booster. There’s plenty of great gear to be had in the lithium ground support equipment category if you know what to look for. Make sure to buy a booster with 12V, 24V and 28V jumping capabilities. With the proper booster, you’ll never have to worry about dead batteries again.

Towbars & Dollies

Hauling gear and planes around the local strip can be a pain if you don’t have the right hardware. A quality towbar is a godsend when you’re facing a problem that’s far more serious than a mere dead battery. In addition, purchasing a few high-capacity dollies in different form factors is a wise move. Due to prohibitive costs, you may want to make dollies a group purchase.

Brake Relining Gear

One of the easiest plane repairs you can do yourself without calling in a professional is brake relining. Aircraft maintenance equipment for relining brakes doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, one could put together a comprehensive break maintenance toolkit for a few hundred dollars. As always, take the time to carefully consider all available options and buy the best components possible.

Ounces of Prevention

While it might seem like a waste of money at first, these maintenance and emergency tools are a sound investment. They can prevent future hassles and save you loads of money on upcoming repairs. Like heirlooms or antiques, aircraft maintenance tools retain their value pretty well over time. Make sure that you have the aforementioned tools locked and loaded wherever you store your plane.