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What Aviation Gear Do You Need?

by Jason Schappert

So what aviation gear do you guys really need? By that I mean what are the “Must Have’s” and the “Nice To Have’s?” Make a list of a few things you think in the comment box below.



What do you think? Leave me a comment below on what you think is the must have aviation gear.

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Tagged as: aviation gear

  • Darin Scines

    Kneeboard..  Sunglasses ( simple but keeps your mind on flying and your eyes outside the cockpit instead of avoiding the blinding sun )

  • Rob

    In my opinion, good reliable Headset, doesn’t need to be expensive, just reliable.  Many more of the basics are necessary but if I were to start all over again I would have bought a these right from the beginning.

  • Pilot Char

    MUST HAVES: POH, Current Sectional,Current FAR/AIM,Log Book,Government Issued I.D,At Least a 3rd Class Medical Certificate,Money and time.
    Suggested:Sunglasses, Textbook, Groundschool, Pen,Post-it Notes(to write down what taxiways ATC tells you to use and so you can repeat them back. 

  • Davidkade

    Don’t skimp on the sunglasses. Get a pair of non-polarized, gray, wrap sunglasses with thin temples to fit under the headset without breaking the seal. Randolph engineering makes the best, and it’s a 70+ year old design, but then, sometimes the designers get it right the first time. I fly with an Oakley Fast Jacket, as lenses are interchangeable, and I can wear polarized lenses when I drive home, but the Randolph still fits better.
    You absolutely need this tool as much as a good (not expensive) headset.

    Still Learning…
    David Kincade

  • Millersd40

    headset and a good pair of quality sunglasses.

  • Rich

    Visit web sites like:    http://skyvector.com/ for route planning, http://www.liveatc.net/ to hear how real pilots communicate with controllers,    http://aviationweather.gov for weather information, http://www.pilotworkshop.com for great insight, and http://www.aopa.org for great seminar and safety info.

  • Sailorjf

    “Student Pilot Flight Manual” by Wm. Kershner.  Gets right to the point with emphasis on flying & not regulations. Regs are important too, but they can be had anywhere.  Also, a hand held radio for “just in case” but also to monitor ATC conversation when on the ground for learning. 

  • Lesshannon

    A nice hangar hound to ride with you!

  • pilotian

    A seasoned flight instructor! With lots of stories and real life experiences! 

  • Brad

    A handheld radio, nothing too fancy but one you can plug into your headset. I got stuck in Mobile, Al one time b/c the ptt button broke after runup, try taxing back without a radio and a King Air behind you. I had to wait for the guy get back from lunch, then fix it, then for storms to pass. My boss was not happy that I was late to work that night, but I met some cool people hanging out at the FBO and bought a handheld the next day.

  • Sky74834

    Must have:
    Current FAR/AIM, FAA-H-8083-3A, FAA-H-8081-25A, FAA-S-8081-14A, AC 61-67c, AC 61-84B, AC 61-65E, AC 90-48C, AC 90-66A, small high powered  flash light, plotter, E6B (manual or electronic), current appropriate sectionals, current AF/D, knee board, log book, poh for airplane to be flown, sunglasses, some type of ground school (online, CD, or paper, or attend ground school)

    Nice to have:
    flight bag, headset, hand held radio, hand held gps, multi-tool knife, head lamp, aopa app, duat app, weather app, quality pair of sunglasses, light pair of gloves for when oil dip stick is hot

  • http://www.facebook.com/dianne.doranjohnson Dianne Doran Johnson

    After ground school, I would practice test questions on http://www.exams4pilots.org  which helped me pass my FAA written.  Also, your videos are a place I review over and over again.  

  • Rabens44

    iPad! huge help, use it to study and use it to fly great for Navigation and Weather too.

  • Sheajosh1

    Stuff in my flight bag.
    2 headsets David Clark 13.4, and sennihizer s1
    2 flashlights
    1 fuel strainer
    1 headlamp for night flight
    Licenses and pilot licence holder
    iPad with all currant ifr plates and charts and vfr charts
    Backup vfr charts
    Intercept procedure
    3 POHs
    And a spare pair of sunglasses

    I think that covers everything.

  • Sheajosh1

    Forgot to mention I always carry a knife with me and a lighter just in case. And a kneeboarding is a must. I also carry an e6b and cx2. And my iPhone has an e6b app. So that’s about everything u need. Big tip is to invest in a noise canceling headset right away. It will save your ears and make flyin much more enjoyable

  • Dennis Hohn

    E6B  Pocket Computer, Book “Stick and Rudder”. Dennis

  • Dmtplumbing

    water, gum, extra batteries, ipad charger ,flashlight’s, all in one pocket knife, extra pen’s, pad of paper, paper charts (back up) for ipad failure, lighter , cell phone, hand held radio, knee board, poh

  • robert

    must have: headset. Optional but very useful: iPad to download a lot of apps. Even in the beginning of training, ForeFlight helps get you used to charts, weather, airports diagrams etc. You won’t use this in the plane for quite a while. I pad for reading. and of course going to M0A.com

  • Asgharshah

    Start with a good Head set. Ipad yes Bcz you  save you money on charts, knee board.  A brightline Bag and a lots of money :)

  • Larry M. Diamond

    Must have: 1) Sporty’s handheld Nav/com radio, 2) mini E6B, 3) Hendricks 9-G plus kneeboard, 4) Staples small yellow brief pads for kneeboard, 5) AOPA FlyQ app, 6) AWC aviation.gov app, 7) Sunglasses with the best AV protection,
    Nice to have: 1) Garmin GPS I have a 296, 2) ANC headset, 3) Any high protein bar low in sugar, 4) Hydration (Water) for flights greater than 1 hour, 5) AirChart products for VFR(easy to use on long crosscountries)

  • Gnietodeleon

    A plastic bottle for “those”emergencies
    I had to use it on my way from KVGT to KSBA :(
    TWICE!

  • Hugh

    A headlamp…….they are about $25-$30.  They come with a head strap so your hands are free. Get one with a white lamp and a red or green lamp.  The look goofy and my pilot buddies make fun of me on the ramp but when they cant see and are trying to find their flashlight………Hugh.

  • Flocker

    iPad w/Foreflight & GPS.   Enhances situational awareness. 

  • Brianandersen

    Must have:   Time to get a flight in regulary to keep your checks and flying sharp!

  • Otsu4dojyo

    must have….
    post-it
    for chart.

  • Tacontrols

    Lets dont forget the E6B.

  • Al

    A nice to have piece of equipment to have is a camera to record the flights. That way you can sit down with your instructor and review things you did well and not so well.

    Ipad is another nice thing for a variety of things.

    Sunglasses and a hat are must haves

  • ADeputy4U

    Mechanical Pencils.  A paper bag folded up and somewhere you can get to it.  For your first few flights, until you get use to turbulence, wear a black tee shirt.  If  you need to make a mess, pull the shirt out to the front and do your business inside.  The mess can’t be seen and you can save yourself some embarrassment when your back on the ground.

  • http://www.facebook.com/clc80 Claudia Contreras

    Lots of pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners. Gum, water. Flashlight(s) extra batteries. I try to keep all my gadgets to use AAA batteries. That way I just carry those at the bottom of my flight bag. 

  • Rodney McKnight Jr

    Thanks so much everyone! This absolutely hits the bull’s eye, exactly what I needed. you guys and MZeroA rock!

  • Ssn575seawolf

    A plotter is nice 

  • Arsenio

    HEADSET! Sure, you can fly without one, but, it offers a comfortable ride!
    Flashlights; Travel Johns chemical bags; water; notepad; if you have an Android Phone: Naviator app!  good luck!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1024376560 Jason Brasher

    Starting out; def a solid set of headset’s. Doesn’t need to be Bose or Dave Clarks, but something with good AnR and something where the bar isn’t pushing on your head with that extra pressure. Read…read…read. FAR AIM 91.103 states to become familiar with all information for that flight. Well, going above and beyond, plan for the day’s excessive, questions you’re CFI may present, manuevers, flying the airplane and such. Mentally prepare and get into character.
    Hydration is key so bring water, energy bar, plenty of rests/sleep. Flight Computer, charts..

  • Abey

    good mental state,sunglass,headset

  • Jaketj98

    just like everyone else said, a headset is the number 1 have to have. other than that most everything else is a “nice to have”.

  • N1961S

    A plane :)

  • Tomray

    I’m not a pilot…haven’t even started. Here is what I gathered from the comments and added some:

    Brightline
    bag or equivalent (B6 Convey FLEX System Bag)

    ANC Headset
    (backup too?) David Clark (Amazon wish list)

    Flashlight
    x2

    Fuel
    strainer?

    Headlamp for
    night flight

    Licenses and
    license holder

    iPad

    With current ifr plates and charts, vfr charts, ForeFlight app, AOPA FlyQ
    app, AWC aviation.gov app, aopa app, duat app

    (Optional iPhone
    with e6b app)

    Backup vfr
    charts

    Current FAR

    GPS

    iPad charger

    POH

    Sunglasses
    (American Optical or Randolph prescription)

    Hat

    Light pair
    of gloves

    Travel John
    Disposable Urinal (Amazon.com)

    Water

    Gum

    Granola bars

    Extra batteries

    All-in-one
    pocket knife

    Pen

    Pad of paper

    Lighter

    Cell phone

    Sporty’s
    handheld Nav/com radio or equivalent

    Hendricks
    9-G plus kneeboard or equivalent

    E6B Flight
    Computer or whiz wheel

    Am I missing anything?

  • Rick

    The obvious stuff plus:
    -small fire extinguisher (if plane doesn’t have it)
    -smoke hood (small inexpensive ones)
    -portable radio (with extra batteries)
    -small GPS (like Anywhere Map)

  • Boyer133

    Must Have
      – UV blocking sunglasses
      – Noise canceling headset
      – Fuel tester
      – Flight bag to carry stuff – will change over time.  I have 5 different ones depending on what I am doing – student single, instrument, multi – Citation, my IFR etc.
      – Slip joint pair of pliers
      – Flashlight rechargeable or shake to charge type
      – Charts appropriate to your flying
    Nice to have
      – Handheld radio
      – Books appropriate to learning level (possible PDFs and Net book Computer)
      – Other gizmos as suits you fancy

  • Pingback: What Aviation Gear Do You Need? | Best Headset Reviews

  • Garserio

    I’m a student pilot at the Williamson Flying Club here in NY and this is what I have found useful:
    MUSTS:
    Current VFR charts & A/FD
    Airplane Flying Handbook
    Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
    Practical Test Standards
    E6B
    Plotter
    Logbook
    RECOMMENDED:
    DC 13.4 headset

    Kneeboard to hold my maps, pen, flight plans and logbook
    Jason’s books ;)
    A hour of instruction with Jason – Get a second opinion.

  • Tony

    money — MUST

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