![By the time you become a CFI, the gear bag is filled with instructional tools, and the headset has a bag of its own. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/Wolfs-gear-bag-scaled.jpg?width=2560&height=1920)
It takes a fair amount of personal equipment to be a pilot—no matter what level they are flying.
This time of year the sponsors of the fledgling pilots (read that, Mom and Dad) start visiting pilot supply stores, both online and brick-and-mortar, shopping for their future aviator.
Flying is already expensive enough without wasting money on something they don’t need or won’t need for several years, so please allow me to share some tips on what the fledgling pilot should carry in their flight bag.
Aviation Headset
This is a safety wearable, because without one, the noise in an enclosed cockpit and having to yell or being yelled at can be very fatiguing.
You can find them second hand, often through word of mouth. Most headsets come with a case designed to protect them.
If the headset is ANR (active noise reduction) and requires batteries, always make sure you have a spare set with you.The headset case often has a specially designed pocket for extra batteries.
Kneeboard
The kneeboard is sort of a lap desk a pilot uses in flight. It doesn’t have to be huge. They can be as simple as a 5-by-7 piece of plastic or aluminum with a strap to keep it on your thigh, or one that has clips to hold paper charts or a navlog, pens, and pencils.
Some are designed specifically for electronic tablets.
Notepads/Pens/Pencils
You can expect to be doing a lot of writing during your flight lessons. The preflight and postflight are the lecture parts of the lesson. You will be taking notes.
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You can do this electronically or old school using paper and pen or pencil. You will be writing down weather information, radio frequencies, clearances, and instructions from air traffic control.
Even if you are fully digital in the cockpit, it is a good idea to have paper, as you may also need to leave a note for someone, such as “DO NOT REFUEL,” so it’s nice to have paper for that reason.
Sectionals/TACs/Chart Supplement and/or Digital Equivalent
Airspace changes, towers are opened, frequencies change—and if you don’t have current publications, either digital or paper, it could be a bad day for you.
Digital publications can be updated with a keystroke. Paper needs to be physically replaced.
While the industry is moving toward an all-digital cockpit, it’s still a good idea to have a current paper sectional on board as a backup. When it expires, write “FOR GROUND TRAINING ONLY” on them and use them for study.
If you use a portable electronic device in the cockpit, be sure to have an extra power cord and/or battery brick. Most pilot bags are now designed with special pockets for tablets and cords. Make sure to use them.
Aviation Flashlight
An aviation flashlight has multiple colored lenses—white and then green, red, blue, or amber. The latter are used for night flight.
Many gear bags come with a specially designed pocket for the flashlight and include a space for spare batteries. Check the flashlight for life at least once a month.
Multi-Tool
Carry a Leatherman or survival knife with a seat-belt cutter. Hope you never need the latter.
You’ll want a device with at least one knife blade and both a flathead and Phillips head screwdriver. The full-size tools with pliers are also handy if you need to encourage an oil cap to release.
Flight Computer: Mechanical E6B or App
The flight computer is a calculator on steroids. It is used to determine aircraft performance, ground speed, time en route, fuel burn, and crosswind components.
Many private pilot kneeboards come with the analog E6B. While it looks intimidating, the directions for solving equations are printed on the device.
The ability to read English is a requirement for a pilot certificate. If you can make pancakes off the directions on the Bisquick box, you can perform calculations using the analog E6B.
Fuel Dipstick
Never trust the fuel gauges in the airplane—ever. Carry a fuel pipette appropriate to your aircraft, and make sure it has your name on it.
They do all look alike and have a tendency to go missing.
Pilot Operating Handbook (POH)
While the POH specific to the aircraft has to be aboard for the aircraft to be legal—it is the O, as in the owner’s manual—in the ARROW documents, it is a good idea to have a POH of your own for reference.
Survival Kit
It doesn’t have to be massive. Aim for one that can fit in the side pocket of your cargo pants.
It should have a first-aid kit, a roll of duct tape, parachute cord, fire-starting material, an unbreakable signal mirror, babywipes, etc. You may never have an off-airport landing in the wild, but you may need duct tape to secure an oil cap door that simply won’t stay latched.
Hand-Held Radio
A battery-powered, hand-held radio is another safety item. The best ones have an attachment that allows you to use it with your headset as a backup in the cockpit.
Make sure to carry the power cord and/or extra batteries. Gear bags often have a specially designed pocket for these.
Picking the Gear Bag
The gear bag is a matter of personal pilot choice. Look for one with padded pockets for the headset and tablet.
They come with shoulder straps, like backpacks, or carrying handles like a duffle bag. They come in just a few colors, the most predominant of which is black, so you will want to find a way to personalize it.
There are companies that offer the option for embroidery for the gear bag, which gives you the opportunity to add the pilot’s initials or perhaps patches of their favorite airplane.
