Gear for Pilots
Discover reviews, pilot gear lists, and our personal recommendations on what you need in the cockpit.
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The Best Flight Bags for Pilots | Pick the Perfect Bag
In this post I’m going to help you sort through the many flight bags for pilots and pick the perfect one for you. During my 10+ years of flying I’ve gone through several flight bags. While some flight bags were great, others were quickly returned. Whether you’re jumping in a Cessna for your very first…
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26 Best Gifts for Pilots
In this article I’m going to share some of the best gifts for pilots I can find (and some I’ve even gifted). For someone outside of aviation, shopping for the pilot in your life might seem a bit of a challenge. But here’s a secret—they like flying machines! So most of the gift ideas for…
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7 Private Pilot Books to Make You a Better Pilot
In this post, I’m going to share 7 private pilot books that will help you prepare for and pass your FAA knowledge exam and practical test. When trying to pick the best books for private pilots to purchase, I recommend first checking with your flight school. They may have some they’ll include in your training…
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Aviation Must Reads: The 10 Best Books for Pilot
As a lifelong aviation enthusiast and now airline pilot I’ve read many books for pilots. So I put together some of my favorite aviation books I think every pilot will enjoy. Whether you’re a brand new pilot or have thousands of hours in your logbook, there’s always more to learn. I’ve broken these pilot books…
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7 Best Pilot Sunglasses | Find the Right Sunglasses for Flying
In this article I’m going to share the best pilot sunglasses you can buy to truly enjoy flying. Every pilot needs a great pair of sunglasses. In fact, they’re one of the most critical pieces of equipment a pilot owns. Pilots always have to keep their heads on a swivel, and squinting is not an…
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15 Best Gifts for Flight Attendants
In this post I’m going to share my favorite gifts for Flight Attendants. Do you know or work with a flight attendant? Flight Attendants are maybe the most underappreciated professionals in the aviation industry. While pilots get all the glamor of flying the planes, the cabin crew on the front lines of customer service thread…
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Best Pilot Kneeboards | Stay Organized in the Cockpit
Staying organized is so very important in the cockpit of a small plane. The organized pilot lives by the old Boy Scout motto—be prepared. What is a Kneeboard? And Why Should You Have One? Kneeboards take many different forms these days, which is good because pilots use them differently. The most basic form of a…
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Best Gear for Pilots | 13 Pilot Essentials You Need in Your Flight Bag
In this post I’m going to share the best pilot gear I carry with me on nearly every flight. Over the years the gear I carry in my flight bag has evolved and today, the items below are the things I consider pilot essentials. Once you’ve picked out the best flight bag you can find, it’s time…
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The Best GoPro Mounts for Airplanes — A Guide to Filming Your Flights
In this guide I’ll share exactly what you need to use to record videos in flight and share the best GoPro mounts for airplanes. GoPros and action cameras are fun ways to share your aviation adventure. Whether you’re shooting content for your followers or just documenting your aerial adventures for posterity, the GoPro was designed…
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What are the Best Flight Simulator Controls – Yokes, Throttles, and Rudder Pedals
Here’s a look at the best flight simulator controls for an at-home simulator. There are others, of course–especially on the high end, for use at training facilities. But this sampling will get you started. With the suggestions made here, you can make your home simulator into anything you want it to be. Our previous articles…
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How to Set Up a Flight Simulator at Home
Your home simulator setup can be as simple or as complex as you want. For example, you might start with nothing more than a laptop and a joystick. Then, as you progress further in your training or find that you enjoy the flight sim, you might add more monitors or realistic controls. Home simulator setups…
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The Best Aviation Headsets for Pilots
In this post I’m going to share the best aviation headsets available today. Over the course of my flying I’ve used many of the headsets on this list and spoken to several pilots about the others. Communication is absolutely critical while you’re up in the air – and good quality aviation headsets make all the…
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Paper vs. Electronic Pilot Logbooks
There’s an app for that! It’s true most of the time, even in the cockpit of your aircraft. And true to form, one of the most tedious paperwork tasks that pilots have to complete has now been fully digitized. But are digital logbooks a good idea? Has the time finally come to ditch that heavy,…
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Faro G2 ANR Headset Review
A pilot’s headset choices have been set by budget for decades, and the Faro G2 ANR Headset disrupts that set budget. Most pilots agree that active noise reduction technology is worth the cost if you’re willing to spend the money. What if you’re a new student pilot? What would be the best aviation headset for…
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Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset Review
If you’re shopping for a really nice headset, chances are you’ve narrowed your choices down to the Lightspeed Zulu 3 headset or the Bose A20 headset. Lots of pilots eye these two high-end headsets. Both are big-ticket purchases, but neither headset will disappoint. What makes them different from one another—and which aviation headset is best…
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Best Flight Computers: Mechanical and Electronic
There are a few items that every pilot needs to keep in their flight bag. A paper chart or two, a chart plotter, and a flight computer are must-haves. Wait…a computer? Do pilots have to carry an entire computer just for flying? They do, but the flight computer might not look like you’d expect. Most…
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Best iPad for Pilots
Tablet computers are everywhere these days, but there are few places where they are more valuable than in the cockpit of an airplane. Specifically, Apple’s iPad tablets have carved a niche for themselves with outstanding reliability, amazing apps, and a user-friendly design perfect for pilots. Why Have an iPad in the Cockpit? It’s safe to…
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Bose A20 Review – Is It Worth the Price?
In this article, I’ll help you decide if the Bose A20 aviation headset is right for you. Like a good pair of your favorite sneakers or a well-tailored suit, the right headset for you probably isn’t the right headset for everyone. One of the most popular options on the market is also the most expensive—the…
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Faro AIR Review – Top of the Line In-Ear Aviation Headset
If you’re tired of literally being weighed down by your aviation headset, you might be drawn to the Faro Air In-Ear Headset. While an in-ear headset is radically different from an over-the-ear headset, sometimes radically different is exactly what you need! Faro AIR In-Ear Headset Introduction If you are used to flying with a classic…
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16 Gift Ideas for Your Flight Instructor
In this post I’m going to share with you some fun gift ideas for your flight instructor. Your flight instructor has sat crunched up with you in a hot, small aircraft and tirelessly nudged you towards your aviation successes. You know they deserve a pretty awesome gift! However, they may be a little tricky to…