Rubber shark from Wallie-World as seen in the background in Joey and
Chandlers Apt - $0.99, remove squeaker, place metal grommets from
tarp/tent repair kit near jaw hinge, bungee cord over pitot tube.

Rav O Vac red/white LED headset from Wallie-World - $12.97, attach velcro to
forehead side of headset, velcor to ceiling of aircraft. A very fine and
bright LED instrument flood light. Battery operated LED flood light for
$13. Battery operated regular bulb velcro lights in pilot mags: $49.

For Maules: Wrap down tubes in windsheild with leather steering wheel
wraps. Easier to grab hold of for entry and exit.

For Maules: Make headset hangars (ala Cirrus) from small black metal coat
hooks, attach to down tubes with black velcro or black cable ties.

Velcro spare key holder onto back side of an access panel near cockpit door.
Add spare key.

For quicker battery removal in winter time, use wingnuts on terminals.

Use label maker and put your a/c V speeds on panel near AS indicator.

Use label maker and make "a/c status" near tach: i.e. Annual due, oil
change due, ELT batt due, txpdr pitot/static check due, etc.

Use canoe rail cartop closed cell foam blocks as aft wingtip hangar rash
protector. $5 at Sporting Good Store. Cut slit in foam (if not already
there). Add RBF streamers on opposite sides (for L and R wings).

Use Lemon Pledge (3 Industrial Size Spray cans for $9 at Sam's Club) for
windsheilds and leading edges of wings. Easier to remove bugs next time.
No paint damage or windsheild scratches.

Use little orange plastic cable grippers (cam locks) for cord management
(headsets, gps, etc.) from Home Depot: $0.67, faster and more durable than
velcro or Dave Clark green ties.

Watson





"Chuck" wrote in message
ups.com...

Andy wrote:
As a new pilot and new owner of a cessna 172, I've noticed the
seeimingly unlimited amount of accessories available for my plane. Most
seem to have one thing in common - a high price tag.

I was wondering if anyone reading this thread would share information
on any devices that are perhaps homemade or are low cost alternatives
to items available in aviation catalogs.

I guess this would include anything from pilot -assist devices to low
cost alternatives to lighting, interior upholstery, and the like.

Thanks in advance for any input you may offer.

Andy.

To make covers for the pitot and tank vents, I took three tennis balls
and punched holes in two ( for the tank vents) and cut a slit in the
third for the pitot. Attach some red streamers to each as the "remove
before flight" flags.

Chuck