So... what's standard issue in a field box? Also, are the ones you can buy in the hobby shop or on Tower Hobbies any good? Are they cost effective compared to buying all the stuff that comes in their package and putting one together on your own?


Patrick

Everyone is different. Common stuff is a starter, battery, power panel, glow lighter, fuel, tools, extra plugs and stuff like that. Then there are the extras like fast chargers, bat checkers, extra parts, paintball guns, paint balls and stuff you want. Don't forget the slurpee and junk food. You may be there for a while.

Some boxes are better than others. I have used quite a few over the years. Make sure you don't get it too big, it is a pain to get around. I use the Goldberg box now. It seems to work the best. I keep the trans in a case that I got at walmart for $10. It is metal, foam around it with room for tools separately. Works well and protects things.

Fuel, starter, glo driver, glo plugs, AR oil, sun glasses, a few screw drivers, a few parts, a fuel pump. and uhhhhh maybee a few more things........at a contest i bring alot more.

Because no-one has mentioned it, I take the following as well:
spare props, thin and medium CA, packing tape, #64 elastic bands for my trainer.
Oh, and spare fuel line.

gus

Dont forget cleaning rags, and cleaner. Don't want her indoors throwing a wobbly!

Any thing I need or any one else needs to reduild a plane. Believe It or not.
PS most of our club is that way!!!!!!!!

Beginner's field box (before solo):

Fuel
fuel pump (or bulb)
3 spare props
a few spare screws
1 or 2 spare glowplugs
Medium CA
5 min epoxy.
Clear packing tape.
Rubber bands if required for the model.

THAT'S ALL!!!! Yes, I WANT you to depend on the instructor for the glow ignitor and starter, and any other support equipment. If the instructor isn't there you shouldn't fly.

If you need repairs requiring more than some CA and epoxy (clear tape to patch punctures in covering) you need to take it HOME to fix it.

After solo ADD:

Glow ignitor
Expanded scale voltmeter (ESV)
Electric starter and battery
assorted screwdrivers, allen keys and wrenches appropriate to your model.
spare clevices

Some more repair stuff might also be added.
*********

You can get by on that much for the rest of the time you are in the hobby if you don't get into competition. (Instructors should bring more... and they almost certainly will.)

I guess you were looking in my box. Never want to be caught short. Alway's keep them flying.

Sweet, this sounds like a fun field to visit. mind if I take a drive over there with a few friends? I could add acoupl of guys with piranas to the fray!


I take a bunch of rubber bands, starter pump, battery, some props, extra fuel lines, assorted screwdrivers, assorted screws, locktite, a prop reamer, a glow plug wrench, couple extra glow plugs, medium ca, etc...
whatever you think you need
it's also a good idea to take a lawnchair if you have one and a canopy-tent if you have one if your staying all day
also bring a cooler with some water, and maybe some pop(water hydrates you alot better!).

squirrels

This is one of those things I absolutely disagree with. There is NOTHING on your plane that is safe to fix with ANY epoxy at the field. Even 5 minute epoxy takes a full day to cure. For all the strength of 5 minute epoxy applied at the field you may as well take chewing-gum.

If your plane breaks in such a way that epoxy is required the best thing you can do (and the only safe thing), is to take it home and repair it there. Don't be tempted to fly a plane that has been repaired with epoxy in the previous 24 hours.

I can be a bit anal with some things, and this is one of them. Especially because this is the beginner's forum.

gus

I absolutely agree with Gus on this one. In fact, I don't do ANY repairs of my plane at the field no matter how minor. I also think 5-minute epoxy is a bad idea all the way around. If something needs epoxy, then it needs good epoxy. 5-minute epoxy is crap.

Also agree, epoxy will NOT cure enough to warrant attempting repairs. The furthest I go on repairs at the field are clear tape reapirs to slits in covering, replacement of a lost wheel collar, broken prop....
Dennis-

DBCherry - OK, what I meant was that I don't do any structural repairs. I do pretty much the same things you mentioned if needed.

The epoxy in the box is more for fuel proofing a patched hole than anything else. It will cure sufficiently for that in 10 min.

I have seen fuselages snapped in half, repaired with 5 min epoxy (and some sticks to splint it) and the model fly within 30 min with no problems at all. It really depends on HOW it broke and how you do the repair.

Generally, if a model is repairable at all... you'll find someone who wold be willng to do that level of work at the field. That doesn't mean its safe or unsafe... Some people are better at field repair than others. Some have more supplies and tools at the field than others.

There is a segment in one of the TOP GUN videos (I think 2000... but not sure) where a contestant rebuilds a severely damaged wing, at the field, then proceeds to fly the plane again at the contest. (and it flies just fine.)

I'm going to disagree a little with FHHuber about getting your own gear to start your engine.

It may depend on where you are and who you're flying with of course. But around here, on most days, I have multiple students I'm cycling though. If everyone was constantly moving their planes around the pits to get to my field box, it would be a royal pain. Not only that, my glow starter and such would be dead in short order. Things work a lot smoother when I can just walk from one pit to the next. On busy days in the past, my club has even had people doing "ground support" basically helping the beginners with engine starting and getting in to position and such, so the flight instuctors just fly.

With my students who are farther along (but who can handle an engine safely, etc), but not soloed yet, I'll frequently tell them "ok, you're next in line. When you see us land and taxi back, give me a few moments for debrief, then start your engine and get in to position, I'll join you on the flight line".

Now, if you have a club that has a 1-to-1 instrutor-student ratio, then this is not necessary. On the other hand, we have many more students than we do instructors, so I like to get guys as much air time as possible.