field equipment
 

i'm new to airplanes but not to rc or nitro. now i see that a proper glow flying setup seems pretty elaborate with tote box/control pannel, 12v battery, dedicated glow igniter, electric starter, electric fueling pump, glow igniter battery charger, and i don't know what else. do most of you guys flying nitro really use all that when you go to fly? because i was thinking of using my glow igniter and buying a manual fuel pump and chicken stick and calling it good. maybe one of those bare bones field totes too.... will i be missing out?

RE: field equipment
 

I started out with a electric fuel pump and when it burned out switched to manual and really havent missed it.

I usually only use the 12V starter for the first start of the day and then bounce the engine off compression to start after that.

RE: field equipment
 

Start with the bare bones, if you are flying at a club. You will find that you may have to borrow something now and then, if it seems like you need to borrow an item frequently go out and buy it. Most of the time it is all just used occasionally. I never needed more than a glow igniter and a hand crank pump until I got into more elaborate setups. A small tool box with apropriate tools to tighten, loosen or adjust anything on the plane (usually a couple different drivers and needle nosed pliers) a small bottle of glue, tape and cleaning supplies is all you usually need.

RE: field equipment
 

I like a starter. I have a starter with a lipo battery zip tied to it, a glo Igniter, and a manual fuel pump.
That pretty much gets you started. I also have the hobbico mk2 field charger so I can carge all my stuff. I like it because it has dual outputs so I can charge 2 things at once.

RE: field equipment
 

Power panels are just unneeded complications IMO. I'm like kerwin50 except my starter has a NiCd pack strapped to it. I find that going wireless is much more convenient and (I believe) safer than using corded tools. I have a starter because I don't like fighting with my engines at the field. I could flip start them, but one occasionally is ornery and I'd rather spend that 2 minutes of aggravation flying.

RE: field equipment
 

Power panels and a heavy flight box battery for glow flyers are totally redundant now and mostly just sold to newbies and even carry with them some real safety issues.

Flyers tend to go through cycles and many who go through that gotta have everything stage do frequently go back to KISS (keep it simple stupid):D


John

RE: field equipment
 

thanks! i'll go with my tools (got lots of them), my glow starters and my triton battery charger, and i'll add a manual fuel pump and an electric starter. and maybe a cheap tote box.
i appreciate everybody who took the time and made the effort to respond, and it was a great help. <br type="_moz" />

RE: field equipment
 

I have a manual pump as well.  Though I do have a 12v motorcycle battery in my field box for the starter and as a glow backup I prefer a remote glow driver.  Don't usually have to charge that at the field.

Now, with my gas engines I take a fuel can with a manual pump and a reenforced leather glove.  No starter, starter battery, glow driver, etc.  Just fuel it up, flick the ignition switch on and hand-spin the prop.  Ahhhhhh.