Most important safety equipment

[Robert Lees]

This is a bit of a survey:
What's the most important piece of safety equipment you consider that a pilot should carry in a Taylorcraft?

Rob

[mikeg]

His/Her BRAIN !

[3Dreaming]

I think it highly depends on the operation at hand. Flying in mountainous terrain in the winter would be quite different than flying over the corn fields of the Midwest during summer. Over large bodies of water would be another one that would require changes to equipment. Some kind of accessible fire extinguisher would always be a good idea.

[Scott]

What Tom said.

By regulation I have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and 406 Elt. All reactive measures.

I prefer proactive measures... things that actually reduce the risk of getting in trouble in the first place.

First on the list would be proper maintenance, followed by flight planning and prep.

Then, carbon monoxide detector, some sort of flight computer, phone, paper charts to backup electronic charts, a spare pair of glasses, bottle of water.

Oh and if more than a hour flight time, a relief bottle!

When flying in Northwestern Ontario (I no longer do), an 8x10 lightwieght orange tarp, folding saw, and fire-starter.
S

[303whitaker]

Helmet

[Robert Lees]

I started this, so I'll add my opinion:

[EXPlanes]

I carry what Scott carried plus my 40 cal Glock here in northern Minnesota. It is a good signaler plus will keep curious wolves we have away. By the way its not uncommon to count 5 to 15 wolves on the ice or crossing lakes when ski fkying. DNR says we have 650 packs with five to six wolves/pack mainly in northern MN.

[kevinbrooker]

InReach mini with active subscription. I don't have faith my phone will survive any impact, the phone battery life is pretty bad, and the InReach is durable, double for navigation, and can be used with or without connection to a phone. It can also be used during non-aviation trips.