Pilot Starter Pack

Legally required · EASA-compliant

Every flight, every landing and every notable event goes in your logbook. It is legally required and needed at your skill test. Choose an EASA-compliant logbook with columns for dual, solo and instrument time.

Essential for Navigation & Performance

The E6B is an analogue slide rule you may use in every exam. Required for calculating headings, ground speed, fuel, density altitude and more. Buy it early. You will need practice.

For VFR chart work and exams

A plotter lets you measure headings and distances on VFR charts. You use it at the navigation exam and during cross-country flights. Choose a model with an nm scale and protractor.

Your most important purchase as a pilot

A good headset protects your hearing, reduces cockpit noise and makes communication clear. Required in the aircraft. Budget: Rugged Air RA950 (~€90). Mid-range: Sennheiser S1 Passive (~€250). Premium: Bose A20 (~€1,100). Tip: ask your flight school if they lend headsets for your first hours.

Writing in the cockpit

A kneeboard straps to your thigh and provides a writing surface in the cockpit. Essential for writing down ATC instructions, ATIS information and your navlog during cross-countries. Choose a model with rings to hold your nav log.

Non-polarised lenses only

You need good sunglasses in the cockpit, especially during slant visibility and above cloud layers. Important: do NOT choose polarised lenses. They make LCD displays unreadable and can distort cockpit window panels.

Carry everything neatly

A good flight bag has pockets for your logbook, charts, headset and checklist. Not immediately essential (a backpack works too), but useful as you accumulate more gear. Look for a headset compartment and rigid base.

For dead reckoning and exam planning

During cross-country flights you need a timer for dead reckoning (checking timing to stay on track). A simple digital wrist stopwatch is enough. No smartwatch needed. A basic sport chronograph works fine.