Here are what is in my flight bag and a little bit of my thoughts going into the purchases. You ABSOLUTELY do not need everything to start flying! Start flying light, focus on flying first and slowly build up your extra tools!
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Always Carries
Backpack
There are plenty specifically designed pilot’s backpack / carry bags, but what I finally settled on was a random tactical backpack found on Amazon. It is cheap and it carries a lot.
Headset
I use a Bose A20, a noise-canceling headset really improves your life as it is noisy in a small airplane. There are newer Bose A30 now and alternatively, you can consider Lightspeed Delta Zulu, David Clark DC One-X, and all of their other models as well. What is important is to make sure it fits your head shape well as you’ll be wearing it the entire time you’re flying, any discomfort will be felt at the end of the flight.
Which plug?
Most GA airplanes use the dual GA plug and thus it is the most recommended one. However, if you ever want to fly Cirrus (I’ve even seen some Cessna owner retrofit LEMO plugs in their airplane too), I highly recommend you to buy a LEMO plug version instead. LEMO plug carries power so your headset can be powered directly by the airplane and you would not need to worry about batteries. You can buy a cheap LEMO to GA plug adapter and use batteries but the reverse would not carry power.
Be warned, using an adapter can be more brittle. I had it die on me on the first day of a whole week of intense flight training and had to source a replacement adapter in a short notice. Thankfully a very nice classmate lent me a spare headset and Amazon Prime came to rescue.
EFB (iPad)
Mine is an iPad Mini (6th Generation) 256GB but there are newer version available now. An important consideration is Cellular vs Wi-Fi. Only the Cellular version has GPS built-in. While I usually use my iPad connected to Sentry Plus, bypassing the built-in GPS, it is still nice to have that redundancy. I also noticed that my iPad tends to have slightly better reception in-flight than my iPhone.
Mounting Solution
I learned this trick from my PPL instructor, I use a drop-proof iPad mini case. It is cheap and you can put the hand holder through some Cessna’s yoke as a mount, and when I’m not flying Cessna, I just put it on my lap. I also put a pen over the holder’s loop. It even comes with a stand, making it super convenient to carry around. If you use a larger iPad then you might need to look into a suction cup or aircraft specific mounting solution.
ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot?
I personally like ForeFlight’s UI better but both are great apps. They both work with Garmin Avionics well (Send and receive flight plans, receiving ADS-B in weather / traffic, etc.).
I would say anecdotally pilots around me all uses ForeFlight, I only know 1 person uses Garmin Pilot.
Android or iOS?
Bias Alert: I use both daily but I usually only take my iPhone on longer trips with me.
While everyone have their own favorite mobile OS and love to defend it to death, I do think when it comes to aviation: iPad is just the better choice due to app support. ForeFlight only works on iOS. Garmin Pilot is available on both platforms but even my Android loving friend would tell me it is terrible on Android. I tried FltPlan Go on my Pixel Fold for fun, it is certainly usable but definitely would be my last choice in-flight as the UI is really terrible.
ADS-B Receiver
Sentry Plus is my choice for the integration with ForeFlight. My ForeFlight is usually connected to both the Sentry Plus and Garmin avionics suite (if the airplane is so equipped), as they do sometimes observe different traffic. It also acts as a track logger, backup GPS / AHRS in an emergency and a CO detector as well so it is super useful.
I absolutely hate that Sentry Plus encrypts its GDL90 output, making it not compatible with other applications. Alternatively, Garmin GDL 50/52 is a good choice and it also offers SiriusXM reception.
Sunglasses
This is totally optional but it does help a lot when flying in days of direct sunlight. Mine is an Oakley Ejector. Importantly, make sure it has non-polarized lenses so it would not block out displays and you would want the legs to be thin and flat so they fit under the headset more comfortable for longer flying.
Logbook
I did start my flying with a paper logbook but honestly unless you really want to keep a paper record, digital logbook is much easier to maintain. I use ForeFlight’s logbook feature and a lot of CFIs also use them so you can have them digitally sign the entries. For backups, you can setup for ForeFlight to periodically email you a backup. If you’re programming-savvy, I also maintain a Python library to automate exporting logbook from ForeFlight.
Others
- Oxygen cannula
- Some aircraft is equipped with oxygen system which is useful if I need to fly higher. The cannula is unfortunately not universal and have specific plug for each type of system.
- Various aircraft checklists
- I carry and love checkmate’s 172/182 checklists. However, for Piper and Cirrus I have switched to use ForeFlight as digital checklist.
- Cirrus comes with a checklist booklet which is very nice. I have seen one owner laminated the book which makes it very durable, they’re otherwise tend to be a bit worn on most rental Cirri. You can actually download them from Cirrus’ website and just keep a copy in ForeFlight for easy access. (You need to register an account but you do not need to be an owner to register one!)
- Water Bottle
- Dehydration and heatstroke can be serious. Make sure it is always filled before you go!
- Cash
- Flying does take you to random places and sometimes a bit of cash helps.
- 3D printed T-handle
- Those engine oil dipstick can be really hard to turn… especially if they’re over-tighten when the engine is still hot.
- USB PD car charger: for charging iPad and phones
- Spare batteries (for headset)
- Pen and paper
Emergency Use (also Always Carries)
Portable Aviation Radio
I have this one Sporty L6 COM as it supports my LEMO plug. There are super fancy ones such as Yaesu FTA-850L that even supports receiving VORs / ILS but I’ve decided that as an emergency handheld radio I value L6’s LEMO input and USB-C powered capability more.
Satellite Communicator
I did not make this purchase until very late and have other need for it as well. The one I have is Garmin inReach mini 2. I finally bought one when I went on an extended hiking trip abroad. Garmin inReach also have an option to purchase an insurance to cover the rescue fee.
Some newer phones such as iPhone 14+ and Pixel 9+ also supports satellite messaging and SOS out-of-the-box. While I have not seen any cheap insurance plan to cover fees from these rescue, they’re still a valuable resource if you had a crashed in the middle of nowhere.
Life Vest (Only for Water Crossing)
Technically, this is only required only for hire over water and beyond power-off gliding distance from shore. However, it is smart if you’re crossing any large body of water beyond the gliding distance from shore. I bought mine for my trip to Catalina Island (KAVX) which requires crossing about 18nm over Pacific Ocean at minimum and the height would be limited under the LAX Bravo shelf.
You can buy a life jacket from nearby marine shop. I picked this one because it’s more compact but a regular life vest works too!
Night Flying
- Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400, but really anything with red / white light switch will work.
Optional
Camera
I use a GoPro HERO13 BLACK and use a clamp mount (to clamp on the sun visor, so it does not leave an imprint on the dashboard) for an overhead shot. Click here for an example video for flying the KBUR ILS Z RWY 08 approach.
Should I have a camera onboard as a student?
I know it is very tempting and I have used it a couple times when I flew my solo XC. However, I honestly feel like it did not help me in terms of learning at all. If anything, it made me a bit more nervous because I want to record a perfect landing (and my landing as a student sucked lol).
I understand the desire to record significant life moment. I would say, keep it out of your mind at very least until you’re on your Solo XC phase, if not until you get your PPL.