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 to stock it with all the essential pilot gear you’ll need to fly.

Every pilot has their own method for what gear they take with them while flying, but there are a few pieces of private pilot gear you should always take with you when you fly.

Whether you’re an experienced pilot or a brand new student pilot, there’s gear here you’ll use on every single flight. Plus some pilot gear you may not use regularly, but will definitely want just in case.

Here are the top ten pilot bag essentials!

1. Pilot Certificate & Medical

When it comes to gear for pilots, this one’s a no-brainer because you can’t legally fly without these.

Make sure your pilot certificate and FAA medical are always in your flight bag. It’s a good habit to develop to always check and make sure you have them with you.

As an airline pilot, I keep my certificate and medical in a wallet that comes with me on every flight.

However, when I was a flight instructor I kept them in my headset bag since I never stepped on a plane without my headset.

2. Headset (with extra batteries if necessary)

This one should be a no-brainer as well, but always make sure you’ve got your pilot headset with you before heading to the airport.

Nothing will ruin your planned flight faster than opening your bag and realizing you’ve forgotten it.

I’ve gone through a number of different headsets over the years. My current headset is the Bose A20 (though if I was buying now I’d just get the new A30). I’ve also flown with a few different David Clark headsets that all performed well enough during my flight training and early flight instructor days.

If you want to dig into headsets more you can take a look at my list of the best pilot headsets to help you pick one.

As a student, you’ll generally be able to borrow one from the flight school if necessary.

[Check out our review of the Bose A20 headset]

3. iPad with ForeFlight and/or Sectional Charts

An iPad loaded with appropriate sectional charts and approach plates is a must-have for pilots in this day and age.

ForeFlight allows you increased situational awareness in the cockpit, and many pilots swear by it. It’s arguably the most popular electronic charts option on the market.

I’ve used ForeFlight for years and have trained hundreds of students on how to use it.

If you fly with ForeFlight (or any other EFB), it can also be a good idea to keep a set of sectional charts as a backup in case anything ever happens with your iPad.

Make sure you keep your sectional charts up to date.

And if you don’t know what iPad you should get as a new pilot, check out my article on iPads for pilots.

4. Kneeboard with Pen and Paper

This next one might seem “old school”, but every pilot should have pen and paper nearby to write down instructions and frequencies. With a kneeboard, you can have your pens and paper handy, and ready to go.

Plus, most kneeboards are built to hold your iPad along with a pen and small notepad. Check out our post on the best pilot kneeboards if you need help picking one out.

5. Snacks & Water

You may be surprised to see snacks and water on a list of essential gear for pilots but they can come in handy in the times you least expect.

A couple of energy bars weigh next to nothing and take up very little space, and they can save you from being preoccupied with unexpected hunger in flight.

Trust me and just throw a couple in your flight bag.

And if you’re a flight instructor this is absolutely an essential among these pilot supplies. On busy summer days I would often have back-to-back flights all day long so these “emergency” snacks were actually my lunch and sometimes dinner.

Worst case scenario you don’t eat them and they’re already in there for your next flight.

Water is a no-brainer: dehydration can cause you serious physical and mental issues, and it’s not something you want to experience while 4,000 or 30,000 feet in the air. Drink plenty of water. Pick up a good reusable water bottle and get in the habit of filling it up before each flight.

6. Charging Cords and a Backup Battery

If you’re flying with an iPad, a charging cord and backup battery is essential. Particularly on those long cross-country flights.

It’s a good idea to pick up a battery that’s strong enough to charge your iPad a few times, just in case.

It also helps when you need to charge your phone mid-flight. Some modern airplanes, like our Piper Archers have USB chargers built in which is a really nice feature.

7. Non-polarized sunglasses

Flying in Texas has taught me that sunglasses aren’t just nice things to have so you can look cool in the cockpit.

They are pilot necessities, without which your vision can be severely impaired when flying certain headings throughout the day.

Get a pair of good non-polarized glasses that won’t reduce visibility through windscreens or instruments with anti-glare filters.

For a long time I flew with a pair of Ray Bans like the ones below. But now I fly with sunglasses made by Flying Eyes. They’re easily the most comfortable sunglasses I’ve ever owned and are barely noticeable even with a headset on.

If you need help choosing check out my post on the best pilot sunglasses.

8. Fuel Tester with Screwdriver

A fuel tester and screwdriver is must have gear for pilots. It hardly takes up any space in your flight bag, but makes all the difference!

With a fuel tester and 4-way screwdriver, or reversible screwdriver attachment, you can check the quality of your fuel before you fly.

Besides the obvious reason, checking fuel is also important because you may get different fuel from other airports. And you want to make sure you have quality fuel to get you where you want to go.

9. Flashlight

This is one pilot accessory you don’t want to skip. Whether or not you go night flying frequently, you want to be sure you have a good flashlight.

You never know when you might get stuck at a remote airport and have to fly back in the dark. You can check out our guide on the best flashlights for pilots to help you find a good one. But the one below is easily my top pick.

10. Multi-Tool

Multi-tools are essential gear for pilots as they provide a wide range of functionalities that may come in handy during a flight.

Carrying a multi-tool on you or in your flight bag ensures that you’re always prepared for any unexpected situation that may require a set of pliers, a knife, or a screwdriver.

Unfortunately, many pilots overlook the importance of carrying this versatile tool in their bag, which can be a costly mistake.

In my experience very few pilots carry them but that’s based simply on the number of times another pilot has asked to borrow mine.

One excellent example of a reliable multi-tool for pilots is the Leatherman Wave Plus. This well-built tool offers exceptional versatility and durability, making it an ideal choice for any pilot looking to add an essential gear to their flight bag.

More Gear for Pilots

Now that we’ve gone over my pilot equipment list, here are a few other great items to keep in your bag or on the plane but not necessarily “essentials” in my view.

Extra Tools

Extra tools can be a huge help in the cockpit and very handy on emergency maintenance stops. Many of these items are things you’ll collect as your aviation career goes on, so I wouldn’t consider this as must have student pilot gear.

While a multi-tool is a great thing to always keep on you, a small toolbox full of tools could be a great item to keep in your own plane. This is especially true if you do much backcountry flying.

Survival Gear

How much or how little survival gear to keep in your flight bag is up to you, but it’s a good idea to at least bring some basic items like a first aid kit.

Nobody wants to think of the possibility of needing survival items, but to be a truly safe pilot you have to plan for the unthinkable.

If you commonly fly over bodies of water, consider getting a water-activated emergency light or beacon.

If you fly at high altitudes, look into getting a pulse oximeter.

There are countless survival items designed specifically for pilots that have saved lives.

Do yourself a big favor and research some of these items. Decide which are necessary for you, keep them with you, and hope you never have to use them.

The Best Gear for Pilots

And there you have it! Our top ten flight bag essentials! Now it’s important to remember, just like no two pilots are the same, no two flight bags are the same!

Just getting started on your journey to becoming a pilot? Check out our guide on how to become a pilot and be sure to pick up the best private pilot books to help you prep for the knowledge and practical exams.

And if you’re headed out on an extra-long trip be sure to bring along one of these top aviation books every pilot should read.

What other pilot gear do you consider an essential for your flight bag?