So far I've gotten an iPad Air 2 with a couple good cases (folio keyboard for notes and school work and an OtterBox for when I'm on the go), a David Clark H10-30 Headset (ancient but it's tried and true), a Noral Student Pilot Flight Bag to hold my headset, fuel tester, iPad, flashlight, med cert, log book, plotter, basic E6B (until I get the sporty's electronic computer). Any other ideas of useful tools I'm missing? Was considering getting a knee-board. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
stop with what you have!!!!! Fly for about 10 hours and then decide what yo would like to have with you. I had a knee board that I eventually threw in the back seat because it got in the way during stalls. My iPad collected dust until my IFR rating because I wanted to learn how to fly by looking out the window. A large flight bag will only allow you to carry too much crap unless you are using it as a school bag. If that is the case, use the large flight bag for your books and a small headset bag to carry your cert, medical and headset to the plane.
A knee board would help. I never liked the bulky tri fold so I ended up just getting small clipboard to use as my knee board.
ditch the gear until you've earned your certificate. about the only item besides the headset would be a good kneeboard. you're gonna be writing so you will need a platform for that.
All you need is a student pilot/medical cert. I didn't buy jack until I had my PPL, just used the loaner headsets, NEVER had a knee board and I often make fun of students, especially VFR ones who have stuff strapped to their legs, in some aircraft I straight won't allow it, heck in my case I had my ATP before I even bought a iPad. The flight training washout rate is very high, and you're going to be selling that stuff for cents on the dollar, unless scored them from someone who washed out them self, if you end up not following through as many students don't. Not trying to be negative, just trying to be real. As a working pilot, I don't even bring, or have on my person, half the stuff on your list if you see me heading to the plane I'll have my headset and my iPad mini, which is just in a normal belkin soft case with a small legal pad and pen hoop attached to the cover flap, now that's for hard IMC. For VFR ops, it's just my headset. Unless you're crossing the Atlantic in a single engine plane, I fail to see what you really need a flight bag for, for student pilots it's a sure sign they are bringing way too much crap. Medical and pilot cert is just in my wallet.
Do you have a flight suit and helmet yet? I kid.... Start reading the Airplane Flying Handbook, the POH for your airplane, private pilot ACS, etc.
Don't most Part 141 schools have a list of stuff you need to complete their curriculum? Headset, Airman's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Local Sectional, Plotter, Flight Planner,
Tip on the headset. Don't buy those $115 AvComms. At least upgrade to jelly ear muffs version. Those dirt cheap AvComms will give you a massive headache after an hour. Plus the sound protection is crap.. Look for some used David Clarks. Also SigTronics or Telex make good starter headsets.
I started off using loaner headsets from my flight school, but I kept getting bad ones with mic issues and such so I got a David Clark on ebay about 10 hours into training. I used to use a kneeboard back when I was still following the line I drew on the sectional and referencing X-C planning sheets, but I don't use it anymore. I still don't have a tablet and have no plans to get one.
Yup, there's the only thing mentioned so far that you really do need. It's easy to go overboard on the gear. You actually need VERY little to learn to fly. Basically, something to write on/with, and access to a headset. No, the $1000 ones aren't 8 times better than the $120 ones. KISS. I've gotten a lot of hours out of a $120 DRE 1001 with gel cups, that I later converted to ANR.
Apparently, thick skin would be a strong need, judging from these posts. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
