The Pre-Flight Briefing - Pilot Shop Blog

Your official source for all things aviation. Get expert pilot tips, in-depth gear reviews, training guides, and stories from our community. Read the briefing today!
Garmin inReach Mini 2 vs Mini 3 Plus: Worth the Upgrade?

Garmin inReach Mini 2 vs Mini 3 Plus: Worth the Upgrade?

Spec-by-spec comparison of the Garmin inReach Mini 2 and Mini 3 Plus, what the new Iridium transport changes, whether the Mini 2 is still good, and a pilot's verdict on upgrading.
7 min read
Product Information
Lightspeed Zulu 3 Review: Still Worth Buying?

Lightspeed Zulu 3 Review: Still Worth Buying?

The Zulu 3 is still worth buying in 2026: same ANR circuitry and 14.6 oz magnesium build as the Zulu 4, a Kevlar core cable, and a 7-year warranty. Who it suits, and who should step up to the Zulu 4.
6 min read
Headsets
Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Review for Pilots

Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Review for Pilots

A pilot's review of the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus: photo and voice messaging over Iridium, 1,600 character texts, interactive SOS, battery behavior, and how it compares to the base Messenger.
6 min read
Product Information
Foggles IFR training glasses beside a light gray ASA training hood with a black elastic strap, banner for the guide to choosing a view limiting device for IFR training

Foggles vs Hood: Choosing a View Limiting Device for IFR Training

What foggles are, when the FAA requires a view limiting device, and how to choose between Foggles glasses, the ASA Jiffyhood, and clip-on ASA Overcasters for IFR training and currency.
9 min read
Product Information
Green finger-mounted LED light glowing on a pilot's hand beside a night cockpit lit by green instrument glow, banner for the best aviation flashlights for night flying guide

Best Aviation Flashlights for Night Flying

The best aviation flashlights for night flying: Coast PX20 dual-color handheld, DEX and FliteLite finger lights, the Powercap Navigator LED hat, and the SureFire Aviator, plus red light strategy.
9 min read
Product Information
Airline pilot in a white short sleeve uniform shirt with a gold-striped black epaulet, dark tie and chest wings, seated at the controls in a cockpit, banner for the pilot uniform guide

Pilot Uniforms Explained: What Pilots Wear and Why

What a standard airline pilot uniform consists of, what the stripes mean, why the shirt is white, and how working pilots build a uniform kit with professional shirts and epaulets.
9 min read
Product Information
ASA CX-3 electronic flight computer with its keypad and LCD display, banner for the ASA CX-3 flight computer review for student pilots

ASA CX-3 Flight Computer Review: Worth It for Your Checkride?

Spec-informed review of the ASA CX-3 electronic flight computer: functions, ASA's knowledge exam acceptance claim, CX-3 vs manual E6B, hardware and battery details, and who should skip it.
7 min read
Product Information
Bose ProFlight Series 2 in-ear aviation headset control module and headband in a cockpit, banner for the in-ear aviation headset guide

In-Ear Aviation Headsets: Are They Right for You?

How in-ear aviation headsets compare to over-ear ANR on weight, heat, glasses, and attenuation, a Bose ProFlight Series 2 deep dive, and which pilots should stay with over-ear cups.
8 min read
Headsets
Close-up of a green David Clark H10 series headset dome with the DC logo on a leather flight bag, titled David Clark Headsets: The Complete Lineup Guide for Pilots

David Clark Headsets: The Complete Lineup Guide for Pilots

Every David Clark aviation headset explained: the passive H10 series, rest-on-ear DC PRO models, the turbine JET line, and the ONE-X hybrid ANR family, plus how to pick the right one.
7 min read
Headsets
How to Choose and Fill Out a Pilot Logbook

How to Choose and Fill Out a Pilot Logbook

How to choose the right pilot logbook and fill it out correctly, from standard student logbooks to professional Jeppesen flight records and aircraft logs.
5 min read
Product Information
E6B Flight Computer: How to Use One and Which to Buy

E6B Flight Computer: How to Use One and Which to Buy

What an E6B flight computer does, how to use one, and how to choose between manual and electronic models, plus the plotter that completes your VFR planning kit.
4 min read
Product Information
How to Find the Right POH or Aircraft Manual for Your Airplane

How to Find the Right POH or Aircraft Manual for Your Airplane

A pilot's guide to finding the right POH, owner's manual, or maintenance manual for your aircraft, with faithful reproductions for hundreds of Cessna, Piper, Beech, and Mooney models.
6 min read
Aircraft Manuals
Pilot wearing an aviation headset in the cockpit, title card for Pilot Mall's 2026 best budget aviation headsets guide

Best Budget Aviation Headsets 2026: Top Picks and What You Give Up

Honest budget pilot headset picks from Faro, David Clark, Pilot USA and ASA, with a full spec table, what you give up vs premium ANR, and the used-premium-vs-new-budget decision.
11 min read
Headsets
Grey-haired pilot wearing a white Lightspeed aviation headset with a boom microphone in front of a light aircraft parked on grass, banner for the Sierra versus Zulu 3 comparison

Lightspeed Sierra vs Zulu 3: Which Headset Should You Buy in 2026?

Sierra ($749) vs Zulu 3 ($949), compared by an authorized Lightspeed dealer: how much quieter the Zulu 3 really is, build and durability economics, plug options, mic placement, warranty, and when to step up to the Delta Zulu.
8 min read
Headsets
Garmin Pilot vs ForeFlight: The 2026 Pilot's Decision Guide

Garmin Pilot vs ForeFlight: The 2026 Pilot's Decision Guide

A retailer-neutral 2026 comparison of Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight: verified pricing, platform support, in-flight workflow, ADS-B hardware compatibility, total cost of ownership, and a verdict for every type of pilot. We sell neither app.
9 min read
ADS-B
Sentry vs Stratus (2026): Which ADS-B Receiver Should You Buy?

Sentry vs Stratus (2026): Which ADS-B Receiver Should You Buy?

Sentry is locked to ForeFlight; the Stratus 4 works with nearly every EFB. We compare 2026 prices, specs, and battery life across the Sentry Mini, Sentry, Sentry Plus, and Stratus 4, and explain why the Stratus 3 is discontinued.
12 min read
ADS-B

Best Sellers

The most popular gear for pilots and aviation lovers.