Equipment Every Pilot Should Have

During training, pilots learn all about aircraft equipment such as the airspeed indicator, fuel gauges, engine instruments, and other equipment needed for FAA certification. Students will also learn about the required equipment list - the equipment required by the manufacturer for specific operations. But what about the pilot’s personal equipment? Whether a flight is short or long, it is never advisable for a pilot to take off without his or her personal gear. As such, it is recommended that pilots create a personal required equipment list. To do this, a good place to start is to take a look at all the items in your flight bag. These items will cover the basics, but for IFR (instrument flight rules) flight, you will likely need a few more items. This blog will cover seven of the most important personal effects every pilot should bring with them on a flight.

The first item you will need is a headset with extra batteries. Although this seems obvious, your headset is an easy thing to forget and something that can quickly derail your plans if it goes missing. Prior to leaving for the airport, even if you’re certain it’s in your flight bag, take the time to double check. No headset means no flight. Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to bring some extra batteries on hand in case your headset runs out of power. The second item you should never be without is sunglasses. Taking off into the sun can be a very unpleasant experience and make the process far more difficult. Without sunglasses, your visibility can be drastically affected to the point that you are essentially flying IFR. A decent pair of sunglasses can be a godsend on bright days.

Thirdly, be sure to bring a flashlight. Even if you have no plans to fly at night, a flashlight may come in handy if you need to check under the engine cowling or other hard-to-access areas. Don't rely on the flashlight in your cell phone. It's also a good idea to get a flashlight that uses the same type of batteries that your headset does, giving you an emergency pair of batteries. The fourth tool you’ll want is a tablet with GPS capabilities. Navigating without a moving map is like buying a car without tires. Apps like Fore Flight or Garmin Pilot will prove far more helpful than trying to translate Morse code over a navigation radio. While every pilot should know how to use the VOR system, technology brings great convenience.

Another piece of equipment all pilots should have is a multitool. A good multitool can come in handy in so many situations. In a pinch, they can tighten a nut, fix a screw, and more. The penultimate tool to have is a fuel tester. Testing the fuel is a part of every preflight procedure and no flight bag is complete without one. Finally, all pilots should bring a sectional chart on board. In the event your tablet runs out of battery or its GPS is on the fritz, an inexpensive sectional chart is a great backup. The more accessories you can fit in your flight bag the better, but these seven items are a great starting point.

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