Recommended Pilot Gear

Gear we trust — curated for student pilots and GA aviators. Every product below is something worth having in the cockpit or flight bag.

Disclosure: CockpitCalc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This helps keep all our tools free.
🎧 Aviation Headsets

Your headset is the most important piece of equipment you'll buy. It protects your hearing on every flight and you'll use it for thousands of hours. Buy the best one you can afford — it lasts a decade.

Popular Choice
Lightspeed Zulu ANR Aviation Headset
Lightspeed's flagship ANR headset is the choice of countless professional and airline pilots. Exceptional sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and known for its durability and outstanding customer support. A top-tier alternative to Bose.
🧮 Flight Computers & Cockpit Tools

While CockpitCalc handles your digital calculations, every pilot should understand how to work an E6B manually — it's required knowledge for the FAA knowledge test and checkride.

Student Standard
ASA E6B Metal Flight Computer
The classic manual whiz wheel that every pilot learns on. Required for most ground school courses and strongly recommended before relying on digital tools. Understanding the manual E6B gives you a deep grasp of the math behind every flight calculation.
Cockpit Essential
FlyBoys Pilot Kneeboard
A solid, reversible kneeboard that works for both right-handed and left-handed pilots. Holds your charts, approach plates, and checklists securely in the cockpit. Includes a clipboard, pockets, and accommodates standard checklists — a simple piece of gear every pilot needs.
IFR Training
Destination Aviation Foggles
Essential for instrument training. Foggles restrict your outside view to simulate IMC conditions during hood work. These are adjustable, comfortable for long sessions, and polycarbonate-lensed for clarity. Required equipment for your instrument rating.
🎒 Flight Bags

A good flight bag keeps your gear organized and protected. Look for one with dedicated headset storage, chart pockets, and a spot for a tablet.

📱 EFB & Cockpit Tech

ForeFlight on an iPad has become standard equipment in the GA cockpit. The iPad Mini is the most popular choice — it fits on a kneeboard, mounts easily, and runs ForeFlight beautifully.

Cockpit Mount
iBOLT TabDock BizMount Suction Cup Mount
A reliable suction cup windshield and dashboard mount for tablets up to 10 inches. Keeps your iPad secure and readable during all phases of flight. Works with iPad Mini and most tablets. Much more stable than cheap alternatives when hitting turbulence.
📚 Training & Reference Books

These are the essential books every pilot should own. The FAR/AIM is updated annually — make sure you have the current year's edition.

Checkride Prep
Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide
The most widely used oral exam prep book for the private pilot checkride. Organized in question-and-answer format covering everything your DPE will ask — weather, systems, regulations, aerodynamics, and emergency procedures. Read this cover to cover before your checkride.