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!
Gifts for Flight Attendants (2026): Ideas Crew Members Will Use
The best gifts for flight attendants are things a trip-heavy schedule wears out: a crew cooler that rides on the Rollaboard, a light tote, a commercial-grade carry-on, and CREW bag tags. Plus how to thank the crew on your own flight.
8 min read
Gift Guides
Citizen Pilot Watches Compared: Skyhawk A-T vs Navihawk vs Blue Angels
Which Citizen pilot watch should you buy? A commercial pilot compares the Promaster Skyhawk A-T, the new Skyhawk U830, the Navihawk and the Blue Angels editions, explains Eco-Drive and atomic sync, and picks one for every pilot and gift.
8 min read
Gift Guides
Best Aviation Headsets for Student Pilots (2026)
Which headset should a student pilot buy? Picks by tier, from the passive David Clark H10-13.4 and ASA HS-1A to mid-range ANR and the buy-once Lightspeed Zulu 4 and Bose A30, plus plug types, glasses fit, and rent vs buy.
8 min read
Gift Guides
Roswell Air Races 2026: Spectator and Travel Guide
Dates, ticket tiers, lodging, and packing advice for the National Championship Air Races in Roswell, New Mexico, plus where to find official race merchandise.
7 min read
Airshow
Aircraft Fuel Testers: How to Sump Fuel and Which Tester to Buy
How to sump aircraft fuel on preflight, what water, sediment, and the wrong grade look like, and how to choose between the GATS Jar, ASA and Daansen tube testers, and FuelHawk dropsticks.
7 min read
Product Information
StrongBags Crew Luggage: Which Bag Is Right for Your Flying?
A working pilot's guide to the StrongBags crew luggage line: Vortex Voyager rollers, the Summit all-in-one, Protego laptop pack, Stratos gear bag, Wingman, and the Canadian Ice cooler.
7 min read
Product Information
ZOLEO vs Garmin inReach for Pilots: Which One Belongs in Your Flight Bag?
A pilot's head-to-head on ZOLEO and Garmin inReach: messaging, SOS, battery life, and subscription structure, with clear picks for cross-country and backcountry flying.
8 min read
Product Information
Bulova Lunar Pilot Review: The Other Moonwatch
The Bulova Lunar Pilot 98K112 reviewed: the Apollo 15 story behind it, the 262 kHz quartz movement, sapphire crystal, dual straps, how it wears, and how it compares to the classic moonwatch.
7 min read
Product Information
How to Use a VFR Plotter (and Which One to Buy)
What an aviation plotter does, how to measure true course and distance on a sectional step by step, fixed vs rotating compared, and the plotter plus E6B planning workflow.
6 min read
Product Information
Pilot Epaulets: What the Stripes Mean and How to Wear Them
What pilot epaulet stripes mean, from one bar to four, where the tradition comes from, soft vs hard shoulder boards, and how to wear them correctly on a pilot shirt.
6 min read
Product Information
Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro Review: Garmin Flagship Aviator Smartwatch
Spec-informed review of the Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro: the first aviator smartwatch with built-in inReach satellite texting and LTE, plus how it compares to the D2 Mach 1 and D2 Air X10.
7 min read
Product Information
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?
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
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 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
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
Best Sellers
The most popular gear for pilots and aviation lovers.
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NewVendor:Roswell Air RacesFull House Roswell Air Races T-Shirt
Seven race aircraft stacked in a climbing diagonal across the full back, with the AIR RACES script, the US flag and the Roswell course pylon, in slate or terracotta.
Regular price $35.00Sale price $35.00 Regular priceUnit price per -
NewVendor:LightspeedLightspeed Zulu 4 ANR Headset - Battery Powered (Dual GA Plugs)
Bluetooth ANR built for the piston cockpit, with standard dual GA plugs that make it the easy default for renters, students, and pilots who fly a variety of aircraft.
Regular price $1,099.00Sale price $1,099.00 Regular priceUnit price per -
Vendor:David ClarkDavid Clark H10-13S Stereo Aviation Headset & Bag Combo 40422G-01
23 dB passive stereo noise reduction in a lightweight build for long flights, music-ready in the panel and bundled with a padded carry bag for everyday trips.
Regular price $399.95Sale price $399.95 Regular priceUnit price per$459.79 -
Vendor:BoseBose A30 ANR Aviation Headset 5 Pin XLR Flex Power with Bluetooth 857641-3170
Airline-deck ANR with Bluetooth and 5-pin XLR panel power, built for flight crews who need dependable quiet and hands-free calls throughout a long duty day.
Regular price $1,299.00Sale price $1,299.00 Regular priceUnit price per -
NewVendor:Roswell Air RacesFull Throttle Thrills Roswell Air Races T-Shirt
Full-throttle air racing tee printed large across the back with a left-chest hit, in heather graphite black or heather turquoise cotton, sizes S to 3XL.
Regular price $35.00Sale price $35.00 Regular priceUnit price per -
NewVendor:Roswell Air RacesAmerican Racing Classics Roswell Air Races T-Shirt
Heritage air racing tee printed full across the front in cotton, a nod to a century of American pylon racing, in heather mellow yellow or natural, sizes S to 3XL.
Regular price $35.00Sale price $35.00 Regular priceUnit price per
