Useful Items at a Soaring Contest
This is a do as I say not as I do article. Because those that know me will know that at times I am not that organized (I showed up missing wing tape and catheters) and sometimes I show up with enough stuff to rewire and repair sailplanes. Not including times, I show up with Wings and Wheels inventory.
I started carrying a roll of tape in the glider that is easy to access when in the air. Laying on the grid in the shade of the wing you might notice your tape starting to come off (haven't had this happen with good wing tape though). In the air, I have taped the window vent because it kept popping open. I had a GPS antenna come loose and had to secure it with tape in flight. The prong holding the PDA wiring harness failed and I had to tape it in-place in flight. I also had to fix a pee tube, I would prefer to forget about that unfortunate experience.
A clean small towel to clean the bug splatter you didn't clean up or last-minute dusting. In-flight it works well for covering the catheter or cleaning up any drips.
I also make sure to have a leatherman in an easy to reach place. I carry the Schempp-Hirth tail tool in the glider because it also works for adjusting the water dump and vents. A backup phone battery is always helpful especially if you are binge-watching Netflix waiting for your crew.
In the trailer, I have lube, scissors, tape, spare Schempp-Hirth tail tool, jack, bolt cutters, chain, toolbox (metric), the hose for filling water, and long rope in-case you need to tow out of the field from the side of the field.
In the car, I have a handheld radio so you can listen to the CD while staying in the AC. Make sure the gas tank is full and there is a card in the car (especially important when flying crewless). Keeping the keys in the car is useful too. Tow out gear is safe inside the car and not laying against the back bumper waiting to get driven over. A small cooler with drinks and some snacks as some retrieves can seem to avoid civilization for many hours.
From a previous article here is my list of spares: Complete main wheel, Tailwheel tube, Wingtip skids, TE probe, Fuses, Wing tape, Mylar, Safety tape, Transfer tape, Cloth tape, Camelbak, Canopy polish, Wax, Water meter, Logger, Battery connectors, Battery charger and connectors, Wing stand, and Radio.
My parents had a retirement fantasy and bought a 45 ft toy hauler. So naturally, my brother and I use it. It's just long enough to fit 2 gliders and a cobra trailer and sleep 10. So we have most of our tools and things in it vs the glider trailer.
Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.
