DeltaRomeo

doug reeves: unfluencer
Staff member
…that would make nearly every non-pilot around you raise an eyebrow? Worded another way, what ‘airplane things’ do you keep with you, that you wouldn’t necessarily show anyone. Not the normal stuff (watch, CC, license.....the unique things).

I’ll start. In the zip up phone case I use as a wallet. Left front pocket. Wrapped in tissue and para-cord, in its own little baggie.

S.I. Howard MIL-M-18371E TYPE 1 Mirror, Emergency Signaling, Mark 3. American made.​

For years.

Have had friends text me they’ll fly near my house at some time, with me texting back “I’ll give you a quick flash so you can find me”. STUNNINGLY long distances and effectiveness. Even through trees. No batteries and is good for seeing food stuck in your teeth. “I’m over here” or “S.O.S.” can be sent 20 miles away on a good day (37,000 feet is 7 miles), and that info travels at the speed of light. Our RVs sometimes land off field out of cell range. Phones go dead.

The seven year-old kid two houses down will think you are cooler than you really are. Also good for making that squirrel stop digging in your yard.

Little button compass on that cord, also, as well as a Leatherman Micra.

v/r,dr

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…that would make nearly ever ‘non-pilot’ around you raise an eyebrow? Worded another way, what ‘airplane things’ do you keep with you.

I’ll start.

In the zip up phone case I use as a wallet. Left front pocket. Wrapped in a little tissue and para-cord, in its own little baggie.

S.I. Howard MIL-M-18371E TYPE 1 Mirror, Emergency Signaling, Mark 3.

For years.

Have had friends text me they’ll fly over my house on occasion, with me texting “I’ll give you quick flash”. STUNNINGLY long distances possible. Even through trees.

Good for seeing food stuck in your teeth, as well as making contact with an airliner at 37,000 when you’re off-airport in a field out of cell range. “S.O.S.” is easier than you think. Also good for making that squirrel stop digging in your yard.

v/r,dr

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Why don't you just signal them with a laser?
 
…that would make nearly ever ‘non-pilot’ around you raise an eyebrow? Worded another way, what ‘airplane things’ do you keep with you.

I’ll start.

In the zip up phone case I use as a wallet. Left front pocket. Wrapped in a little tissue and para-cord, in its own little baggie.

S.I. Howard MIL-M-18371E TYPE 1 Mirror, Emergency Signaling, Mark 3.

For years.

Have had friends text me they’ll fly over my house on occasion, with me texting “I’ll give you quick flash”. STUNNINGLY long distances possible. Even through trees.

Good for seeing food stuck in your teeth, as well as making contact with an airliner at 37,000 when you’re off-airport in a field out of cell range. “S.O.S.” is easier than you think. Also good for making that squirrel stop digging in your yard.

v/r,dr

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Well, the "bottle opener" on my key ring is for opening the gas caps on my RV.
Stewart Willoughby, 6
 
…that would make nearly ever ‘non-pilot’ around you raise an eyebrow? Worded another way, what ‘airplane things’ do you keep with you.

I’ll start.

In the zip up phone case I use as a wallet. Left front pocket. Wrapped in a little tissue and para-cord, in its own little baggie.

S.I. Howard MIL-M-18371E TYPE 1 Mirror, Emergency Signaling, Mark 3.

For years.

Have had friends text me they’ll fly over my house on occasion, with me texting “I’ll give you quick bip so you can find my house”. STUNNINGLY long distances possible. Even through trees.

Doesn’t require batteries and is good for seeing food stuck in your teeth, as well as making contact with an airliner at 37,000 when you’re off-airport in a field out of cell range. “S.O.S.” is easier than you think. Also good for making that squirrel stop digging in your yard.

v/r,dr

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Have one in the pocket of my flight suit! Amazing and amazingly simple little device!

Keep a P-38 can opener (that belonged to my Dad who was an instructor during WWII) on my key ring. That has come in handy more than once. Kind of aviation-related.
 
I have the Foreflight app on my Apple Watch. It allows me to pull up surrounding area METARs as a complication right from the face.
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Have one in the pocket of my flight suit! Amazing and amazingly simple little device!

Keep a P-38 can opener (that belonged to my Dad who was an instructor during WWII) on my key ring. That has come in handy more than once. Kind of aviation-related.

Awesome! Here I thought I was the only person still carrying one! I don't think I have been without one since the days of opening 'C' rations! I have used it a time or two for the gas caps on the -8
 
DR
Your signal mirror is different from mine. The one I have is reflective on both sides.
The way I was taught to use it was
1: hold the mirror arms length
2: hold your other hand back where the shadow of the mirror is on the palm of your hand and you can see the shadow reflecting on the back side of the mirror
3:align the spot on the reflection with the hole in the mirror
4: sight through the hole at your target
This guarantees the flash with hit your target. With this system you can signal a search plane miles away
Simple geometry but effective!