11 Things You Should Carry in Your Flight Bag

One of the rules for pilots is that they need to be familiar with all available information prior to a flight (FAR 91.103). The gear you carry in your flight bag should reflect this—prepare for the plan, and plan for the unexpected.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, September 26, 2022 at 06:00 PM ET

Verified

Stylish? Yes, but it's what's inside that counts. [Courtesy: Flight Outfitters]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots must carry essential operational gear such as a headset, kneeboard, current navigation charts (with digital or paper backups), writing implements, and a flight computer for effective communication and in-flight management.
Preparedness for unexpected situations is crucial, requiring a specialized aviation flashlight with spare batteries, a robust multitool, and a comprehensive survival kit.
Redundancy and practical backups are key, including items like fuel strainers, dipsticks, extra batteries/power cords for electronic devices, a handheld radio for communication failures, and even cash for unforeseen needs.

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1. Headset

The headset is often the most important piece of equipment a pilot carries. If you don’t think you need one, try conducting a flight in an enclosed-cockpit airplane without one—about 20 minutes into it, the noise and the vibration will leave you feeling like you’ve been flying all day. Don’t forget extra batteries for the headset if required. Add a flight helmet or leather cap for your headset if you’re flying an open-cockpit airplane.