Growing up, piloting seems to be one of the most interesting jobs, as you get to fly around the world and all you have to do is operate a plane. Yes, you thought the flying might be difficult, but then you were able to leave the cockpit and relax. In reality, much more goes on when piloting the plane beyond simply flying it straight and high. Read on to learn about the equipment that you need to be a professional pilot.
Flight Bag
One of the first and most critical pieces of equipment that you’ll need is your flight bag. These bags can carry all necessary equipment, such as your fragile electronics, snacks, water bottle, headset, two-way radio, etc. Without one, you’ll end up on the plane without any of your flight essentials. There is no standard bag style you are required to have; you just need something comfortable, useful, and that you think looks good.
Aviation Headset
Operating a plane, whether commercial or private, is a daunting undertaking. You are flying a machine multiple times bigger than a car through the air at incredible speeds. You must wear an aviation headset to keep the incredible amount of noise out. Headsets reduce the noise and allow you to communicate with air traffic control, but there are some questions to ask yourself before choosing your headset. Consider whether the model is certified by the FAA or the EASA, if it is comfortable, and the sound levels coming from the plane you’re piloting.
A Tablet
In previous years, pilots needed to carry navigational charts, notebooks, logbooks, and other necessary documents with them on any flight they went on. In today’s age, all this information is digital, and you can access it through a tablet and various applications for charting and navigation. In addition to your tablet, you’ll also need a kneeboard case, where the tablet can be strapped to your upper thigh, allowing pilots to use navigation apps hands-free.
Sunglasses
These may have seemed to be an aesthetic choice for many pilots, but it is crucial for keeping the pilot’s eyes working under the most strenuous circumstances. Pilots use these sunglasses because they reduce glare in the sky and eye fatigue. These nonpolarizing sunglasses are completely functional, minimizing the glare from the sun but still allowing pilots to view their instruments’ readings.
To be a professional pilot, you’ll need to know how to fly the plane smoothly, but you’ll also need this specific equipment. Not only will flying the plane be much more difficult without this equipment, but you’ll also be much less comfortable on those multiple-hour-long flights.
