Most Popular Aviation Gear of August 2025

From the flight deck to the weekend getaway, the right aviation gear is essential for any aviation enthusiast. To see what’s trending, we looked at the top-selling items purchased by FLYING magazine readers in August 2025.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Premium Deluxe SteelBook Edition

What can we say that we haven’t said before? The Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) franchise has been the gold standard among flight sim software for its breathtaking detail and depth.

On November 21, 2024, the software giant released its latest iteration, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS2024). The newly released edition of MSFS2024 has hobbyists and professional pilots rethinking their flight simulator setups and making them question whether they should upgrade to the 2024 version. MSFS2024 has been redesigned from the ground up to be expandable and more user-friendly than any previous versions. (See more flight sim deals.)

Blinory GPS Drone with Camera

Priced at $79.99, this foldable GPS drone for adults comes equipped with a 2K HD camera for first-person view (FPV) flying via 5G transmission. It features a brushless motor and several intelligent flight modes, including Auto Return, Follow Me, Circle Fly, and Waypoint Fly. The drone also utilizes Optical Flow for stable hovering.

The package includes the foldable drone, a remote control, two batteries, a user manual, and a carrying case. It also comes with eight spare blades and two USB Type-C cables. (See more of the latest drone deals on Amazon.]

Real World Flight Review

Sporty’s and PilotWorkshops have teamed up to create this new two-part course that combines their most popular programs. Sporty’s Flight Review course handles the knowledge portion of the flight review, while the Real World VFR course from PilotWorkshops deals with the hands-on demonstration of best practices and technique.

Topics covered include:

Pilot technique: night flying, emergency procedures, angle of attack, slow flight, power-off stalls, power-on stalls, crosswind takeoffs and landings
Aeromedical factors: carbon monoxide, hypoxia, visual illusions, night illusions, nitrogen and scuba, hyperventilation
Airspace: class A, B, C, D, E, G, Special Use, ADS-B requirements, military training routes, TRSA
Aviation data: charts and publications, flying with EFBs in the cockpit, NOTAMs
Regulations: alcohol, Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), fuel planning, medical requirements (and BasicMed), supplemental oxygen, pilot currency
Airport signs and markings: closed runways, displaced threshold, runway lighting, taxi and runway signs
Weather: Airmets and Sigmets, Convective Outlook, Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA), PIREPs, radar imagery, METARS and TAFs, ADS-B weather.

Flight Bag PLC Commuter Flight Bag

The MyGoFlight PLC Commuter 2024 Flight Bag is a thoughtfully designed and robust solution for both aviators and frequent travelers. Crafted with durability and practicality in mind, this bag aims to be the ultimate companion for carrying essential gear.

The bag is constructed from rugged ballistic nylon. Its free-standing shell with upgraded padding ensures that the bag maintains its shape and provides superior protection for its contents.

Designed by pilots for pilots, the PLC Commuter 2024 excels in its organizational capabilities. The main compartment is specifically sized to securely hold one headset. For tech-savvy users, a separate compartment offers dedicated storage for laptops and iPads, fitting devices up to 13 inches, ensuring they are protected and easily accessible.

Rugged Air RA200 Aviation Headset

RA200 Aviation Pilot Headset [Courtesy: Amazon]

The Rugged Air RA200 is a no-nonsense, passive headset that delivers solid performance at a very accessible price. This headset offers its wearers 24 dB of passive noise reduction with a stainless steel headband construction, gel ear seals, and a flexible mic boom with an electret noise-canceling mic. It’s a favorite among student pilots and renters due to its affordability and decent audio clarity. If you’re just getting started in aviation or need a reliable backup, this is a smart pick. (Read more of our picks for best headsets.)

Bluetooth: No
Battery: None
Weight: About 15 ounces
Warranty: Rugged Air three-year
Plug type: Dual GA

Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Pulse Oximeter

The Zacurate Pro Series is designed specifically for sports and aviation users, according to its manufacturer. This pulse oximeter model was recently upgraded and can now display a user’s SpO2 level up to 100 percent. And there’s no worry about fumbling to access the battery chamber—there’s an easy-off snap lid.

Features:
Display: LED
Battery Life: 30 hours
Alarm: No
FDA Approval: Yes
Reading Time: 10 seconds

Icom A16 Aviation Radio

The Icom A16 is built tough and rugged. This comm only radio is packed with 6 watts of power and an extra loud speaker, however, it is the unit’s massive 17-hour lithium-ion battery that makes it stand out in the battery life category. (See our full list of best hand-held aviation radios.)

Icom IC-A16 VHF COM Aviation Handheld [Courtesy: Amazon]

Features:

Type: Comm
Power: 6 watts
Memory: 200 channels
Battery: Lithium-ion battery provides 17 hours of operating time.
Additional features: LCD and key backlight for nighttime operations, extra loud speaker for clear communications, rugged and water-resistant construction, compact size
Included accessories: Wall charger, charging base, belt clip, lithium-ion battery, wrist strap

Samurai! by Saburo Sakai, Martin Caidin, and Fred Saito

The experiences of Japanese fighter pilots tend to go unexplored in Western literature, but Samurai! proves a worthwhile exception. Sakai’s accounts of particular dogfights spotlight the skill and daring required to pilot the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, while also revealing the exhausting toll the war took on him and his colleagues. A near-fatal combat wound is a centerpiece of the story, and his harrowing return to base is as much about human will as it is about aviation. (Here’s our Top 10 list of military aviation books.)

Yaesu FTA-550AA Aviation Radio

The Yaesu FTA-550AA is packed with features, yet very affordable. With an oversized liquid-crystal display, the FTA-550 hand-held radio provides full communication capabilities, as well as VOR and localizer navigation features. Its great features and attractive price make it a top contender in the affordability category.

Yaesu FTA550 Handheld VHF Transceiver [Courtesy: Amazon]

Features:

Type: CommM/Nav
Power: 5 watts
Memory: 200 channels
Battery: Six AA batteries
Additional features: Large display, NOAA weather, loud speaker, backlit keypad and display with dimmer
Included accessories: Alkaline battery pack, wrist strap, antenna, belt clip, power cable, wall adapter

Logitech X56 HOTA Flight Controller

The Logitech X56 provides a mid-range price for a military-grade HOTAS flight control peripherals. The sleek design with programmable backlights allows for ambient light and visibility to the user. The Accurate 16-bit aileron and elevator axis with hall-effect sensors makes the Logitech X56 HOTAS very precise and easy to maneuver. This HOTAS is one of the best options for a mid-tier HOTAS.