Avionics guys - what's in your bag?
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: LKBU
Avionics guys - what's in your bag?
Hello to everyone from the private flying forum!
To give some background, I have recently bought a single-engine piston aeroplane (a Grumman Tiger) with a fairly extensive kit of avionics, and have an arrangement to maintain it myself under the supervision of a licensed engineer (hopefully, one day this will accumulate enough experience for a B2 ticket). I am a radar maintenance engineer by military training and hold a master's degree in experimental physics, so I know my ways around an electronics workshop, but we don't have one yet at my base aerodrome, and even if we did, some diagnostics would have to be done onboard anyway. So, my question to avionics people - could you recommend any particular models of tools and instruments for a field service toolbox? From the very basics, like "third hand" devices and good circuit probes that won't slip off, to instruments like an oscilloscope and a test signal generator. I will have my laptop with me anyway, so USB dongles instead of standalone instruments would do quite nicely and save me some $€£, as I'll be paying for this out of my own pocket and the cost will have to be reasonably minimal. Thanks!
To give some background, I have recently bought a single-engine piston aeroplane (a Grumman Tiger) with a fairly extensive kit of avionics, and have an arrangement to maintain it myself under the supervision of a licensed engineer (hopefully, one day this will accumulate enough experience for a B2 ticket). I am a radar maintenance engineer by military training and hold a master's degree in experimental physics, so I know my ways around an electronics workshop, but we don't have one yet at my base aerodrome, and even if we did, some diagnostics would have to be done onboard anyway. So, my question to avionics people - could you recommend any particular models of tools and instruments for a field service toolbox? From the very basics, like "third hand" devices and good circuit probes that won't slip off, to instruments like an oscilloscope and a test signal generator. I will have my laptop with me anyway, so USB dongles instead of standalone instruments would do quite nicely and save me some $€£, as I'll be paying for this out of my own pocket and the cost will have to be reasonably minimal. Thanks!
Last edited by Ultranomad; 3rd April 2012 at 20:12.
Joined: May 2001
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From the selection of tools they have left on my aircraft they seem to prefer multi headed screw drivers that you can get from petrol stations.
Then it would seem that tradition dictates that they take the heads that are most use and throw them in the bucket. This then leads them to always use one which is either to big or too small for the screw and thus strips the head.
The bring out of the wire lock whizzy thing is always something to be looked forward to. Plenty of swearing and sucking fingers is bound to follow.
I am a pilot not an engineer but experence has shown me this is common through most of europe.
Then it would seem that tradition dictates that they take the heads that are most use and throw them in the bucket. This then leads them to always use one which is either to big or too small for the screw and thus strips the head.
The bring out of the wire lock whizzy thing is always something to be looked forward to. Plenty of swearing and sucking fingers is bound to follow.
I am a pilot not an engineer but experence has shown me this is common through most of europe.
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Past the rabbit proof fence
A really good pen.
Seriously leathermans are great, snapon screwdriver (multi bit) jewlers screwdrivers. small plier set. Snapon 1/4" drive - sockets can be anyones so long as multi hex (12 point). Tweezers, soldering tools. Good spanners, I use Stahlwillie cos they are slim and can get in most places. Problem with having multimeters, signal generators etc is that these require calibration stickers to work on aircraft (suppose to anyway).
Seriously leathermans are great, snapon screwdriver (multi bit) jewlers screwdrivers. small plier set. Snapon 1/4" drive - sockets can be anyones so long as multi hex (12 point). Tweezers, soldering tools. Good spanners, I use Stahlwillie cos they are slim and can get in most places. Problem with having multimeters, signal generators etc is that these require calibration stickers to work on aircraft (suppose to anyway).
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: UK
A really good pen.
Seriously leathermans are great
Seriously leathermans are great
But personally, I have yet to be convinced that a leatherman is as good as my Swiss Champ.
G
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From: earth
Working commercial, MRO and corperate. I have never worked for a company that wanted us to have any personal calibrated tool. Keeping up with calibration is a task in it's own not to mention the expense. Not to say that many guys don't keep a fluke on them (for reference only). Otherwise a set of light hand tools, no sockets larger than what is in a 1/4" drive set, generally no wrench larger than a 3/4". A pair of "flush cut" wire snips are nice usually found in sewing/fabric stores. A butane iron with a torch adapter is great, just don't get caught with it. Plenty of self made stuff like jumpers etc.
Joined: May 2010
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From: Boston
Also consider:
A small magnifying glass, multielement screw together barrel not a "detective" style, handy for close look at connector pins etc.
A small but strong flashlight (the new LED ones are great) to help look deep into things.
A stick and some double sided sticky tape to retrieve small parts from deep inside of things. (Not all screws are magnetic).
A camera to document where everything was before you started.
BTW: I not an A&E, my only aircraft HW experience is helping my brother in law with his light sport, but the above will prove handy in almost any field.
I suspect most work will be either swapping boxes or finding faults with and fixing cables and connectors, comments from those who do?
A small magnifying glass, multielement screw together barrel not a "detective" style, handy for close look at connector pins etc.
A small but strong flashlight (the new LED ones are great) to help look deep into things.
A stick and some double sided sticky tape to retrieve small parts from deep inside of things. (Not all screws are magnetic).
A camera to document where everything was before you started.
BTW: I not an A&E, my only aircraft HW experience is helping my brother in law with his light sport, but the above will prove handy in almost any field.
I suspect most work will be either swapping boxes or finding faults with and fixing cables and connectors, comments from those who do?
Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
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From: Falling off the end of the thread
I was going to say why bother, my radio engineer just seems to borrow mine..
Depends how deep you go, some small screwdrivers etc for opening cases and removing avionics fronts, some small allenkeys or spline drives for refitting radio knobs, really long screwdriver or keys for pulling avionics boxes brass screwdriver for adjusting compasses, have seen brass house keys cut to fit. Torch...
After that if you are going to get into radio fits crimps... wire strippers etc
You are then starting to enter the expensive test set end of the game. A multimeter, though I have a digital fluke myself, our engineer seems to prefer a analogue needle version as he says it is faster reacting.
Not a radio engineer, but your best bet is to ask the licenced guy you are going to work with, he should be able to tell you what you will need.
Depends how deep you go, some small screwdrivers etc for opening cases and removing avionics fronts, some small allenkeys or spline drives for refitting radio knobs, really long screwdriver or keys for pulling avionics boxes brass screwdriver for adjusting compasses, have seen brass house keys cut to fit. Torch...
After that if you are going to get into radio fits crimps... wire strippers etc
You are then starting to enter the expensive test set end of the game. A multimeter, though I have a digital fluke myself, our engineer seems to prefer a analogue needle version as he says it is faster reacting.
Not a radio engineer, but your best bet is to ask the licenced guy you are going to work with, he should be able to tell you what you will need.
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: UK
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Sydney
Definitely the following:
- Ratcheting screwdriver with various bits (definitely phillip head bits)
- A 1/4 inch drive ratchet with sockets (deep sockets and short sockets)
- A torch
- Definitely a Leatherman
- and a telescopic inspection mirror
Optionals include:
- Side cutters
- Jewellers screwdriver set
- Lockwire pliers
My experience is mostly on heavies, so I hesitate on giving you what sizes you may need. You will learn what you will need from the person who is certifying your work (a brave man he is) and by cumulative on-the-job experience.
Good luck. I avoid light aircraft like the plague for good reason.
- Ratcheting screwdriver with various bits (definitely phillip head bits)
- A 1/4 inch drive ratchet with sockets (deep sockets and short sockets)
- A torch
- Definitely a Leatherman
- and a telescopic inspection mirror
Optionals include:
- Side cutters
- Jewellers screwdriver set
- Lockwire pliers
My experience is mostly on heavies, so I hesitate on giving you what sizes you may need. You will learn what you will need from the person who is certifying your work (a brave man he is) and by cumulative on-the-job experience.
Good luck. I avoid light aircraft like the plague for good reason.
