RECOMMENDED PILOT SUPPLIES

HEADSETS - The first large purchase in your flight training. A good headset starts with great passive protection, then adds Active Noise Reduction (ANR). I recommend the following models:

SkyCom II ($70, passive only, good for backup/passengers)

SkyCom II ANR ($230, same as QFRxc for less, good value)

Lightspeed Zulu ANR ($850, their best headset)

Telex 30XT ANR ($488, better comfort, rechargeable)

Telex 50-D ANR ($680, top of the line)

 

AIRCRAFT MANUALS - Recommended for each plane you fly:

PA28-140 ($18, Cherokee N8879E, Pilot's Information Manual)

PA28R-201 ($18, Arrow N9436C, Pilots Information Manual)

 

BOOKS - Official FAA references for flight training:

FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations, online)

AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual, online)

AFH (8083-3A, Airplane Flying Handbook, online)

PHAK (8083-25, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, online)

AWS (AC 00-45E, Aviation Weather Services, online)

AW (AC 00-6A, Aviation Weather, online)

W&B (8083-1, Weight and Balance Handbook, .pdf online)

PTS (8081-14A, Practical Test Standards - Private Pilot, online)

ACs (Listing of current ACs in .pdf format from the FAA)

 

TOOLS/SUPPLIES - A few things every pilot will need:

E6B (for common calculations, or digital versions)

Plotter (for chart measurements)

Flashlight (green LED, you may also want red, or white)

Training Hood (for instrument flight, or make your own)

Fuel tester (used for fuel quality checks)

 

OTHER ONLINE SOURCES:

Instrument Procedure Handbook (.pdf, an IFR how-to!)

Instrument Flying Handbook (.pdf, all about instrument flight)

Pilot Safety Brochures (.pdf, great, short info files)

FAA Materials (.pdf links, AFH, PHAK, etc.)

Practical Test Guide ($22, Jeppesen, good PTS guide, very helpful)

Charts (sectional and terminal raster files, EXPIRED, caution - large!)