TOP 10 Flight Bag Essentials for Pilots

Item Links:

3. iPad/Tablet/Charts

4. ADS-B Receiver

5. Kneeboard:

6. Flashlight:

7. USB Charger:

8. Backup Eye Glasses

10. Pulse Oxymeter:

11. Multiple Payment Methods

Instagram: @captainmraviation101

[FlightChops]

Awesome delivery - for a ~20 min video with a single camera angle, this was really watchable - good job buddy. But I was disappointed you didn’t provide me a link to your cash :)

[ryangi]

There’s one more item that can come in very handy for those longer solo flights. It can help increase range and it’s super cheap - an empty Gatorade bottle.

[tk]

As a side note, on the use of a handheld, if you use headsets, make sure you can plug them into the handheld. Nothing worse than trying to hear a weak handheld signal with engine noise.

[ABonRMS]

"Two is One, & One is None".
A lesson learned as a Soldier and Firefighter.

[jamesconner]

Take a picture of each page in your logbook along with the endorsements. Save the photos to the cloud. Redundancy is key. No single points of failure allowed.

[MichaelLloyd]

Just for fun I took my flight bag out and inventoried it along with the video. I was at 100% of your list until you got to not keeping the logbook and medical in my flight bag. I 100% agree with you but had never looked at it that way until now. Thanks a bunch!

[jtrouche]

The not keeping the logbook in the bag part is priceless! Never even thought about leaving it at home before!

[larrydrum]

In addition to a flashlight, I keep a headband light that shines white or red light. It came in very handy when I had an alternator failure at night.

[JohnChvatalGSTV]

Please do an in depth video on logbooks. How to log the time... paper vs electronic... share with us your favorite logbook both paper and electronic. I’m a soon to be student pilot so this info would be helpful.

[larrylehman]

As a CFII and now as a ferry pilot with Full Throttle Aviation, I enjoyed comparing your list and recommendations which matched mine almost 100%. Great video and I have just subscribed to your channel - Thanks

[edjarrett]

Nice video. I kind of understood the necessary equipment from having previously flown in the military. I gathered all the same equipment working my PPL. Now working instrument rating, so log book stays in the bag. I also log all my sorties in foreflight, so I have complete backup just in case. Your listing is spot on.

[gregamidon]

I keep anti nausea bracelets in my bag for passengers. Wife loves it and has helped new fliers on multiple occasions. Also a bottle of water and some peanuts for unexpected delays.

[markemanuele]

I agree with you about night flying. I LOVED to fly at night. It was so peaceful.

[CptnSavage]

Josh, when are you going to offer the Aviation 101 Productions 4 inch circular patch? I'd LOVE to purchase a few of those. Great video as always. The only item I don't currently have from your list is the Anker USB charger and that is because they are STILL out of them. Frustrating to no end. But it is on my watch list, so I'll get it as soon as it is in stock again. Happy SAFE flights my friend. Brian

[Zalaniar]

Awesome video and great advice! I love this type of talking to the audience video, we get to see a bit more of your personality and style than we do in the plane. I hope you do more of these!

[EditedByEd]

Quick tip about using your notepad on your kneeboard: turn the notepad UPSIDE DOWN (binding at the bottom)! The kneeboard clip will keep the loose page-ends from flapping around, and it's much easier to turn a page, etc., while in flight. You won't need that little extra binder clip, which can drop under a seat (or into the trim wheel housing -- yikes).

[CyberNicolazzo]

Interesting point about the logbook. Where I fly it is actually mandatory to have your logbook with you when you fly. In order for a flight to be valid, the log entry must be signed by an airport authority or the flight instructor(if it was an instruction flight). Also, we need to do a flight hours validation process with the aviation authority whenever we want to get a new license or endorsement. This process requires us(among other really annoying stuff) to deliver photocopies of every logbook page, so I've developed a habit of scanning a every sheet once I've filled them up. That way I also have a digital backup of my logbook.

[TakingOff]

Nice video Josh. What about Flight Bags themselves?

[terryanderson]

Great presentation, thank you. I’ve been flying for over 40 years so I’ve learnt a few things in that time. Additional to all the great things you have said I always carry a spare pair of socks, jocks and a clean T-shirt in my flight bag, you never know when you will get stuck overnight somewhere. Also with all the aircraft that I regularly fly I actually keep a photo copy of my licence and current medical certificate in the back of the POH of each aircraft I fly. That way when I get ramp checked or random breath tested it’s always right there with me. I also carry with me a small multi tool like a leatherman or such. They come in real handy sometimes. Another handy accessory is a spare PTT/headset jack. I’ve had them fail before and this does get you out of trouble inflight. Just a tip with logbooks (and you’re quite right, never have it in the plane with you) I’m on my 4th one now and some time ago I went to a lot of trouble to put together a digital backup in case (God forbid) it ever gets lost or destroyed. It took me a long time but it’s definitely worth the piece of mind. Thanks again for the effort you put into your video.

[bodriver]

Great video Josh. I finally got away from the hand held flashlight and got a good quality head band style. The hand helds are never where you need them to be, no more having to hold the flashlight with your mouth because you need both hands. In my opinion, a much better option. Keep up the good work!