Flight Gear

J

JBird

New Member
Need some help, I am going to start my flight training in about two weeks. What I am shooting for is to hopefully fly at least 5 to 6 times a week weather permitting. Starting from zero hours logged to CFII/MEI. What I was hoping I could gain from you all is what type of gear do I need to have at the beginning of my training?

What are the essentials?

What are the things I will need later on in training?

What things do I not need throughout my whole training?

What are the things I don't need but man they are so neat I got to have them?

I have been to Sporty's and Flight Essentials website and there are so many things on there I can just sit there and add, add, and add to the basket but not sure if I need it all. So looking for some guidance and what better place to find it than here.
 
Headset, sunglasses, IFR hood (all mentioned before), an E6-B (either electronic or the "whiz wheel"), and any necessary books. Depends on which school you go to (and which one you instruct with) what books you'll need, so check with them. As far as a flight bag, you can actually get by with a duffel or backpack from Target instead of a high end flight bag. It might not have the fancy pockets or the specialized compartments, but it works if you're on a budget. Now that I'm doing the CFI thing, I pretty much carry a headset, charts and a notepad and pen with me. Anything else would be overkill.
 
So a kneeboard, handheld radio and possible GPS are things I really shouldn't be worried about at this time?
 
I'd put the radio and GPS in the "nice to have but not necessary" column. The kneeboard, maybe. If you practice good cockpit management, you probably won't need one until instrument training.
 
I see your point the reason I was going to try and buy everything I need for everything up front so I don;t have to worry about it in a couple months. If I try the zero to hero in a sort amount of time I doubt I will have time to pick up the items I might need later on. Budget is not a problem, but at the same time I am not going to spend a grand on a headset.
 
I would wait and see. The flight school I work at offers all of the books, flight bag, and other materials the initial student pilot would need.
All the student really has to buy is a pair of headsets and charts.
 
I know the flight school I am going to and they use the Gleim Syllabus and they are provided everything else I need to aquire myself. They are a Part 141 FBO and have been around with the same owner for about 32 years.
 
I don't know if all flight schools do this, but at the college I'm going to go to, they have a special deal if you get all of your stuff (logbook, charts, kneeboard, e6b, etc...) all together at the same time.
 
One vital piece of gear no pilot should be without:

5112-Am.jpg


Will you be in that cloud???


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Ok that is something I have not come across yet on Sporty's and Flight Essentials. I can guess by what you said on what it does but where would you pick something like this up at?
 
Don't worry about it--it was a joke, not something you need (although it is indeed available from Sporty's).
 
I always wanted to get some of those airport signs from the sporty's catalog just to hang in my room or something.
 
Wouldn't an instructor get mad if you had music going while your conducting training or is that for when your doing solo?
 
Yes. I shouldve been a bit clearer... when you are sitting up in the cruise, the Capt is reading the paper and you are into your 3rd cup of coffee, I sometimes slip one earphone in and listen out with the other.
 
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