Ownership: The $50 hero

By Chris Rose

Despite what my co-workers say, I am a light packer—I swear. Experience and age have seen my photo equipment load pared down to a backpack and two small cases, half of what I carried 10 years ago. What I’ve learned: Be realistic. Bring only what you know you’ll use, or may need and can’t procure.
Besides the obvious, what do you always have in your airplane? I asked the question of a pilot friend recently. He said a bottle of water; one thin, flattened roll of cheap paper towels; four after-dinner mints swiped from the airport diner; and a screwdriver. Seeing my eyes roll, he fired back: “All right, MacGyver, what would you keep in here if this were your airplane?”
Keeping these items in the airplane at all times can make life on the road a bit more civilized—and, in the event of an unexpected off-airport landing, more secure. I would not refer to this as a survival kit; this is more of a “readiness pack.” After much discussion, here’s what the staff of AOPA Pilot and I came up with, and why.

- A bag. To put all the stuff in.
- Multitool. To cut, clip, screw, and saw.
- Cable ties. Because cable ties are awesome.
- Wire. Because cable ties are awesome—but not heat resistant.
- Gorilla tape. Like duct tape, only better.
- Small first aid kit. For headaches, scrapes, and bee stings—not surgery.
- Biodegradable wipes. Bears do it in the woods; you might, too.
- Heavy-duty wipes. For tough grease and grime (do not confuse with above).
- Two bottles of water. This one should be obvious. Remember the rule of three: You cannot survive more than three minutes without air; three hours without shelter in a harsh environment; three days without water; or three weeks without food. Bring more if space allows.
- Flashlight. Because it will get dark.
- Bic lighters. Because it will get dark—and cold.
- Paracord. Versatile parachute cord is great for shelters, drying clothes, et cetera.
- Tarp. For use as a shelter, protecting your aircraft interior from harsh light, ugly picnic blanket.
- Pen and paper. Because you always seem to need these and don’t have them.
- Mylar emergency blanket. For keeping body heat in and signaling for help if you need it.
- Maxi pads. Wound care, small fuel spills, and their intended use.
- Power bars. For survival, or if you missed breakfast before a flight.
- Sunscreen. Because your dermatologist doesn’t need another vacation home.
- Hat. Not everyone has a protective layer’s worth of hair.
- Bug spray. Bugs are naturally attracted to airplanes—or at least this has been my experience.
- Toothbrush/deodorant. You will smell bad before you realize it.
- One pair of dry socks, underwear, and a T-shirt. Because a thunderstorm or a broken airplane will eventually leave you stranded somewhere.
- At least three trash bags. Wet clothes, muddy boots, airsick passengers, and trash.
-  $20 cash. Tips, bribes, and because not everyone takes American Express.

Grand total spent on this kit: about $50, minus the cash and multitool, which I already had. Of course, this list could be longer—or different. But a few basic convenience items can give you a feeling of preparedness, make your passengers more comfortable—and in a time of crisis, no matter how big or small, make you the hero of the day. 

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