Question Recommendations for Spare Parts "Inventory"

[lrobichaux]

Just picked up my new NXCub w/ the Lycoming IO-393. For those CubCrafters owners with more experience, what's your recommendations for a spare parts inventory to maintain in the plane / hangar. I realize that this may involve a $$ investment that may sit around till needed, but I'd rather have that than the plane being down for weeks.

In addition to the obvious things like spark plugs, air cleaner, brake pads, spare inspection plates, spare VGs and various screws and Kotter pins, what else would you recommend based on your experience with "early failures" that would ground the plane? What about mags, aux fuel pump, spare gas caps, etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Neal]

Hmm, interesting question and I admit I have a little problem being a hoarder as like you mentioned I want to be ready for when something calls.

In the plane:

I carry a spare fuel cap, while I may not need it, someone else may, I'm not sure yours is the same as mine in that respect but I suggest carrying one. If one flies off from someone not tightening or inspecting it then you're in a pickle.

I paid a lot of money for stuff to support TacAero as a thanks for their help in my situation in 2021. I bought their tacnets and molle bags, spares kit, snap on toolkit, survival kit, among other goodies. I carry a 12V tire inflator and patch kit which I got from Airframes Alaska. I carry a spare qt of oil and paper funnels. I do keep a tent, water, and MRE's in my cargo pod in the event I'm stuck somewhere overnight in an off airport landing.

CubCrafters likely gave you a spare parts kit which is a nice addition today vs my 2021 delivery. Spare screws of many types such as for cowl, etc. I recently swapped out my tailwheel which made me realize my spares of AN bolts, washers, nuts, etc. caused me a delay so I bought various items of those to have in my toolbox.

As for tools, consider torque wrenches, sockets, and various other things I'm sure you'll think of. I have at least one set of spare spark plugs, I keep a few in the plane (2-3?). Plenty of oil and oil filters as I change mine typically around every 25 hours is my target. Go to the blackstone labs website and order the free test kits and get some of those in your inventory.

I also hoard cleaning supplies and just posted that I ordered a bunch of microfiber towels from Costco. I like the turtlewax CC gave us in the cleaning kit.

I'd say balance what you need vs what you think you'll need. Your hangar and in flight spares will grow as you think of and/or actually need things. Aircraft Spruce is my main go to for supplies and they are very fast like Amazon for shipping. Amazon of course is a good source too.

Fire extinguisher for the hangar.

Fun stuff, I asked the same long ago how to outfit my hangar, so so in the help and info available, and I just started thinking through things and growing my supply which has also helped hangar neighbors, etc.

 

[lrobichaux]

Great advice and appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Cubonaut875]

Neal and I have both had early ignition coil failures, the ignition coils themselves not super expensive. I'm not sure I would get one just in case but they are light and I keep a spare in my cargo net. As far as the aux fuel pump, I am on pump two/three with 160 hours on the plane. Pump one failed shortly after delivery, (Neal noticed it on one of my videos - thanks Neal) It was warranty replaced. Pump two had a low grade fuel line leak -fuel stain on the firewall. I went to replace pump two with pump three at condition inspection, but the spare, pump three, was seemingly defective as it just clicked. Turns out the leak was most likely a defective fuel line feed to the aux pump, so I replaced with pump two and a warranty replaced fuel line feed, it seems to have stopped the leak. On bench testing pump three; I connected it to a battery, tapped it a few times and it worked - so I have a spare. They are about $1000.00 and they are from the U.K and there is sometimes about a 6 week wait for them if you need one. I think it's most likely a random one off event if they fail, not worth keeping one around. Watch Neal's video on coil failure for more info on the coils. Be aware on an electronic ignition you are not looking for RPM drop you are looking for EGT changes on runup for coil failure. It would be also a good idea after landing to just switch to right - left- both - not a full run up, but if a coil has failed in flight, you will not really notice it. Check on landing and it will save you a couple of weeks if you need new one. Ask me how I know that.

 

[lrobichaux]

Neal and I have both had early ignition coil failures, the ignition coils themselves not super expensive. I'm not sure I would get one just in case but they are light and I keep a spare in my cargo net. As far as the aux fuel pump, I am on pump two/three with 160 hours on the plane. Pump one failed shortly after delivery, (Neal noticed it on one of my videos - thanks Neal) It was warranty replaced. Pump two had a low grade fuel line leak -fuel stain on the firewall. I went to replace pump two with pump three at condition inspection, but the spare, pump three, was seemingly defective as it just clicked. Turns out the leak was most likely a defective fuel line feed to the aux pump, so I replaced with pump two and a warranty replaced fuel line feed, it seems to have stopped the leak. On bench testing pump three; I connected it to a battery, tapped it a few times and it worked - so I have a spare. They are about $1000.00 and they are from the U.K and there is sometimes about a 6 week wait for them if you need one. I think it's most likely a random one off event if they fail, not worth keeping one around. Watch Neal's video on coil failure for more info on the coils. Be aware on an electronic ignition you are not looking for RPM drop you are looking for EGT changes on runup for coil failure. It would be also a good idea after landing to just switch to right - left- both - not a full run up, but if a coil has failed in flight, you will not really notice it. Check on landing and it will save you a couple of weeks if you need new one. Ask me how I know that.

I think I saw you post this somewhere else, and it's sage advice. Thank you for posting up. I'm gonna get a couple of coil packs and one aux. fuel pump.

 

[Tsquared]

agree with what Neil and Cubonaut have already said.

While not a spare part, consider keeping a battery jump starter, charged and in the plane. XP-3 MICRO-START Portable Jump Starter

 

[Neal]

Jump start battery is a must IMHO. I originally had the XP-1, as they got hard to find I went with the NOCO GB-40 for my new plane, have the GB-70 in my car.

Amazon.com

Pigtail:

Amazon.com

 

[Neal]

I know this doesn't apply to all but watching a recent Trent Palmer video where he had a flat tailwheel tire I now have a spare inner tube for my tailwheel tire. So for backcountry airplanes that have tires with tubes, it's something to consider.