Pilot Supplies & Aviation Gear

A core student pilot kit includes a flight computer (an E6B or the electronic CX-3), a plotter, a kneeboard, a paper logbook, a printed aircraft checklist, a flashlight, and a fuel tester, plus a flight bag to carry it all. A headset and current charts round out the setup before solo flight.

A paper E6B is a manual slide-rule that solves flight calculations with no battery, while an electronic flight computer like the ASA CX-3 runs the same math through a keypad and display for speed and fewer errors. Both are checkride legal, so the choice comes down to personal preference and how fast you want the math.

Many student pilots keep both, since a paper book holds instructor endorsements cleanly while an app speeds up totals. For the full paper-versus-digital legal-record breakdown and how to pick a layout, see our pilot and aircraft logbooks guide.

Pack it by phase of flight: your documents and planning tools, the cockpit gear you reach for in the air, and the walkaround items you use on the ramp, then size the bag to fit. For the full packing list and bag styles, see our flight bags for pilots.

Carbon monoxide detectors are not required by the FAA for U.S. piston general aviation aircraft, though the NTSB recommends them and some other countries mandate them. Because exhaust leaks into the cabin are a real risk, many pilots carry a portable monitor such as the Sensorcon AV8 Inspector.

A fuel tester is a clear sampler used during preflight to draw fuel from each sump and check it for water, debris, and the correct color and grade. A separator type like the GATS Jar filters out contaminants so you can safely return the good fuel to the tank instead of wasting it.