What spares to keep?

[Dave Dupre]

What spares does everyone think is necessary to have at any contest?

There is always a spare plane, but that can get expensive (time and money) to keep up to date and ready to go.

What about a spare transmitter? I just upgraded my transmitter, but I'm hesitating over keeping an expensive transmitter around if I will hardly ever use it.

Other parts?

[Ty Lyman]

Well, been doing this for +20 years, I've never had or needed a spare tx, and though it's probably happened, I've never seen anyone need one. I have seen lots of ignition and header failures at contests though.

[Dave Dupre]

Ignitions, plugs, headers are definitely something =, and I’ve only been doing IMAC for 4 years.

[Perry VanMeter]

I would take extra fuel stopper and fuel line. I had a fuel tank start leaking and had to borrow a stopper to replace mine in order to compete.

[Bill Teeter]

Well, been doing this for +20 years, I've never had or needed a spare tx, and though it's probably happened, I've never seen anyone need one. I have seen lots of ignition and header failures at contests though.

I actually saw an 18MZ malfunction several years ago. Screen came on backwards if you can believe that. Pilot checked with Futaba and they said don't use it. Was a contest weekend and he just took the SD card with his plane settings and borrowed another 18MZ and used it for the weekend. Very strange to look at a backwards startup screen. If Matt sees this thread I am sure that he will chime in.

I don't carry a spare Tx. I usually have extra plugs, ignition, a couple of spare servos and a rigged up fuel tank in case of a leak. Aside from that, extra wheels, fuel tubing, servo extensions, pushrods, nuts, bolts, wheel collars and connectors. Also extra props and backup batteries !!

Just remembered - extra carb rebuild kits - have used them or lent them to other pilots several times.

I only take one plane to contests - I figure if I smash that up I will at least have the backup plane at home LOL

[David Pierce]

I intend to bring two planes to every contest, one will probably be 30cc size tho and on separate Tx. For each plane, I reuse the boxes Hitec servos come in and load them with a set of backup screws, washers, servo clips, etc.

[Rich Whitlow]

I do carry a 100cc plane with me. But I keep a pare prop, plugs, a servo, oil, battery.

Though every time I don't have something, someone has always stepped up and lent one to me.

[Matt Komar]

I actually saw an 18MZ malfunction several years ago. Screen came on backwards if you can believe that. Pilot checked with Futaba and they said don't use it. Was a contest weekend and he just took the SD card with his plane settings and borrowed another 18MZ and used it for the weekend. Very strange to look at a backwards startup screen. If Matt sees this thread I am sure that he will chime in.

Yep, that was definitely a freak incident that no one at Futaba had ever heard of. It was nice to be able to borrow Rob's radio and continue flying that weekend. After the fact I found out that the error was simply in the Windows SE program that runs the menu screen. A simple input from a USB keyboard was able to correct it. There was never any concern with the link to the plane. Funny enough the same problem came up last year at Toby's contest. Not something I ever want to see again but at least I had some comfort knowing it was more of an inconvenience than a concern while flying.

[Dave Dupre]

Great info! Feels like the big items are:

- ignition
- plugs
- servos and extensions
- prop
- Batteries

Other good ones:

- plane
- Tx

[Dave Dupre]

Oh, and a few extra beers in case people run out!

[Steve Sides]

All good stuff that everyone has mentioned. The only other thing that I bring along is connector tools and consumables. I've made / repaired connectors/cables for pilots at several contests over the years. Not suggesting that everyone go out and buy all the connector stuff. I already have it as I make all my own wiring for my planes. So if you have the stuff it's well worth bringing it along IMHO.

[Rich Whitlow]

All good stuff that everyone has mentioned. The only other thing that I bring along is connector tools and consumables. I've made / repaired connectors/cables for pilots at several contests over the years. Not suggesting that everyone go out and buy all the connector stuff. I already have it as I make all my own wiring for my planes. So if you have the stuff it's well worth bringing it along IMHO.

Steve, you reminded me I have those in my tool kit as well. Amazing how many issues can be solved with a fresh extension!