The Comprehensive Guide to Buy for a Pilot

​“Wings are of many kinds. Butterfly's wings, vulture's wings, eagle-wings, spread wings of white swans, dragonfly's serene wings, wings of albatross, lovely wings of humming birds, tiny wings of a fly or a bumble-bee-wings; and when they fly, they fly their best according to their ability of flying. We should not underestimate the size of those heavenly wings.”
― Munia Khan

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Happy thanksgiving you all, I hope that you all have an amazing time eating good food and spending time with people. Whether it is the turkey, the stuffing, or just the pie, I love thanksgiving. There is certainly a lot that I enjoy about it too. I mostly like spending time with family, but I also love thanksgiving because it is a step closer to my favorite holiday: Christmas. The snow touches the ground and the cool air kisses the cheeks. I always imagine the snow on the ground and scraping my windows off on my car. I used to think negatively about the holidays, but I have since changed. I enjoy every single moment that this time of year brings to pass. 

For the longest time, I have thought about a gift giving guide for pilots. I used to log onto the internet for ideas of what to ask for for Christmas. I never really knew because I never really could find anything that would pique my interest. While searching through these gift ideas I found some pretty amazing things. However, after spending years analyzing the 'pilot gift giver's guide,' I do not think those are the necessities. Don't get me wrong, but I absolutely love every single idea that came up, but what about the necessities? 

1) Plotter

Anyone who is not a pilot would probably look at this so called device and question what it could be used for and how to use it. While this inexpensive plotter may seem confusing to use, it really is not. A plotter is used to draw a line from a designated departure airport to the end destination airport. This tool is used to measure distance and degrees. Every pilot needs to have one in his or her flight bag. These are available on Sporty's, My Pilot Store, ASA, and even Amazon. I got mine off of Amazon for a reasonable price. 

II) Updated Sectional Chart

Every good pilot always plans their route ahead of time, which leads to a safe and smooth flight. While there are apps for this -Foreflight- they are not always allowed in a pilot's career. The best way to learn is the old fashioned way: pen and paper. When students and/or pilots use the pen and paper, they will understand how to get the numbers. Sectional charts allow the pilot to plot points from designated airports all throughout the United States. It needs to be noted that in order for this to be effective, you must get the correct chart for the correct area. They have broken up the charts not in a way that you might think. For example, this chart is the Vegas sectional. Even though it shows Vegas, it also shows several parts of southern Utah as well. I recommend buying these off of Amazon, Sporty's, or even My Pilot Store. I highly recommend checking out SkySectionals by clicking here. 

III) E6B Flight Computer

Want to avoid excessive math and math equations? This is the way to go. The E6B, also known as the Wizz Wheel, provides a rapid and highly effective way to calculate several variables. I deeply enjoy using the wheel because it allows me to really quickly compute flight data without making much effort. I truly enjoy experimenting around with this device. I have the metal E6B due to its durability and they do get tossed around in the flight bag a lot. There is a paper version for cheaper out on the market. It is all up to the individual which one is best, but I went with the all metal one so I can use it forever. A lot of these flight supplies can be ordered from the same websites, which means I also got this from Amazon. My E6B is the ASA version and I love it. 

IV) Updated FAR/AIM

Laws, laws, and more laws. What most people do not realize is that once someone begins their journey to becoming a pilot, they will always be given new laws to learn. Without a doubt, it is so easy to forget them because there are just too many. The best place to turn to for a pilot is the FAR/AIM. This book contains all of the regulations for pilots and their given laws. From airspace, to passengers, and to what is needed for VFR/IFR flight, this book has it all. Each year they come out with a new addition that contains more and more revised and added laws. I know for a fact that the pilot you know will need this book. Read more about the so called 'bible' of the skies here. 

V) Aviators

The sun is one of the hardest things for a pilot to deal with. You have definitely been driving with the sun shining in your eyes, and that is not the slightest bit of fun. Sunglasses are the best way to counteract this negative and positive big space ball of fire. I am sure that any and every pilot could use themselves another pair of sunglasses. No one could possibly have enough pairs of glasses. The pilot style in particular is the edgy aviators. These glasses are seen quite frequently in the movie 'Top Gun.' If you know a pilot who wants to look like Maverick, then these are used to accompany the go to look. 

VI) Logbook

Every single hour counts towards something... that long desired, most loved, and most captive ATP license. It has been several hours and the pilot needs another logbook. The simple logbook that I have is one that is very straight forward and easy to use. Keeping track of hours is what every pilot must do. No hours can go wasted, especially if a pilot wants to reach ATP minimums as soon as possible. My logbook is made by Peter Pauper Press and I have found it to be highly effective for everything I do as a student pilot. 

VII) Foggles

IFR... okay, we all know what kind of weird training so to speak happens with foggles... I always laughed at this term 'foggles' because it just sounds so funny. These are used for instrument training by blocking out the vision so the pilot can only see the hood. As much negativity surrounds instrument training, my short time wearing these and training instrument was so much fun. I enjoyed every second of it. I ordered mine off of Amazon, imagine that. I do wear prescription glasses, so I had to get the kind that clip onto my glasses. That certainly makes it a lot easier. Even if you wear sunglasses a lot, I highly recommend these because they are small and very easy to carry around. 

VIII) VHF Transceiver NAV/COMM  

Whether it is listening to traffic or making a radio call, these come in handy. I really love to practice listening to the frequency on here due to the fact that I can take in what they are saying. I deeply enjoy using these simply for the pleasure of listening to pilots speak. I personally have the Yaesu Pro-X radio transceiver. I have used this quite frequently in my plane spotting hobby that I love so very dearly. I have yet to actually use this in flight training though, so this is not even a necessity. However, this can be used as a back up way to communicate, so when comms go out, this is the way to go. Mine even has a headphone jack that allows me to plug in my aviation headset without any problems. 

IX) Model Airplane

Every pilot or aviation lover on this planet has a favorite plane. Someone cannot just tell me they love aviation without telling me their favorite plane. This Boeing B747 Pan Am model is by far one of my favorites I have found. Another one of my personal favorites is the Wright flier model. Whether it is an airline, or a specific plane type, or even both, this gift is sure to make the pilot's face smile bigger than the horizon line. 

X) Before Flight Tag

There are just too many ones to choose from with this one. I love these tags because somehow they let everyone know we are in aviation. I probably have over 10 of these myself. If you want to be a little bit on the funny side, get them one of these because they are bound to love it. For some reason, us pilots like to brand ourselves with random things like this. I really believe that everything here is just perfect for a pilot. 

XI) Bose A20 Headset/Aviation Headset

I went with the Bose A20 specifically because of the reviews. This headset is the most expensive one on the market, but it is also the best one. I have no regrets getting this headset because I have had no problems with it. Everything fits my head just right, it is comfortable, and the sound is perfect. I also really enjoy that it has noise cancelling inside it, so I can use that when things get too loud. While I do not use it all the time because I like to hear the engine so I know what it is doing, I just simply love the option to mute out the background noise. Several aviation websites and stores have these, but be careful because they are hard to come by. 

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I hope that you enjoyed this week's blog post and the holiday season. I need to mention that something amazing is coming up, and you may or may not be able to guess what that is... hint hint... it starts with an s and ends in an o! The past few weeks have been crazy and here for the next little bit it will remain that way, but I have two huge announcements coming forward within the next little bit. I will tell you that this adventure has been a challenge, but a rewarding one. I have had ups and downs, twists and twirls, but have still managed to find myself glued to the sky. There is no doubt in my mind that I am born to fly and made to soar. Nothing is perfect, and nothing is mere perfection, but if I do say so myself... the freedom of flight is. 

With a vacation coming up and some flights to catch, this next little bit is going to be interesting. I will surely show every little piece of this adventure. First semester is almost over and that is a statement that I never thought I would get to say. Only seven more after this one... seven becomes six, then five, four more, three, continuing on to two, and lastly: one. The heart yearns for something bigger -yet better all at the same time. The thought of time relinquishes the soul to the point of near doubt. I almost feel as if time is treating me well, but the age puts back on play. Every moment does not go unrecognized. Every second makes me want to live more. I never take anything for granted, especially what I have. 

The breathing slows and the heart rate raises. Each day marks a new beginning, but a new end to something else. The choices and that chances that are presented allow for a far better turnout of things. Don't let it go unnoticed. It's like kissing the sky... don't forget that moment when you first kissed, kissed the sky. Each and every day I look up and remember the why in my life. Why am I here? Who am I? Exactly. Each passing moment curates a new selfless determination to get there. I cannot wait for the day to raise my hand, scream, yell and shout: "I made it!" Well, we can all do that every single day of our lives. Don't forget that. "I made it" does not have to be only once. "I made it" is everyday. Be thankful for today, what you have done, and what you have. This life is full of pitiful moments when every weight of the world feels like it is coming down on the human body. However, make the choice to take the chance to change. 

Simple? No. Effective? Yes. Be thankful for what you have. Be thankful for what you have done. Be thankful for who you are. Be thankful for yourself. Be thankful for your life. Be thankful for it all. Don't let anything go unnoticed. We are all here too, sharing one world, oceans, land, and so much more. There's no such thing as being alone. Let's do this, and let's be thankful.