Log In Get Started Free

Student Pilot Guide

Essential gear for new student pilots

Everything you need to start flight training, ranked from most to least important. Three options for every budget: premium, best value, and budget-friendly.

Tip: Start with the top 4 items: headset, kneeboard, flight bag, and E6B. You can pick up the rest as your training progresses. Your school or club may have loaners for some items, so ask before you buy.

1

Aviation Headset

Your most important purchase. A good headset protects your hearing, reduces fatigue, and makes radio communication clear. Don’t skimp here — you’ll use it for your entire flying career.

Premium

Bose A30

~$1,249

Active noise reduction at the high end, Bluetooth for intercom audio, ultra-lightweight clamp. A headset you won't outgrow.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

David Clark ONE-X

~$699

Strong active noise reduction in a build known for surviving years in rentals. Solid mid-range pick.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

Rugged Air RA900

~$199

Passive noise reduction that gets the job done. A reasonable starter while you figure out whether you love flying — upgrade when you're sure.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

2

Kneeboard

Keeps your charts, checklists, and notes accessible during flight. Essential for cross-country planning and checkride prep.

Premium

ASA Tri-Fold Kneeboard

~$38

Tri-fold design holds charts, checklists, and an iPad mini. Most work surface.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

ASA Standard Kneeboard

~$22

Clipboard with a leg strap. Gets the job done for primary training.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

Geyee Aluminum Pilot Kneeboard

~$14

Simple aluminum clipboard kneeboard with a leg strap. Lightweight and cheap.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

3

Flight Bag

Organizes your headset, kneeboard, charts, fuel tester, flashlight, and books. A proper bag keeps everything in one place for every lesson.

Premium

Brightline B7 Flight

~$239

Modular design, serious build. Configurable compartments for any training or XC setup.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

Flight Outfitters Lift XL

~$90

Spacious and comfortable. Fits iPad + headset + books without fuss.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

ASA AirClassics Trip Bag

~$45

Compact and affordable. Fits the essentials without bulk.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

4

E6B Flight Computer

Required for ground school, cross-country planning, and the knowledge test. Learn the manual version first — your examiner will expect it.

Premium

ASA CX-3 Electronic

~$99

FAA-approved electronic flight computer. Fast and accurate for test day.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

ASA E6-B Metal

~$23

Metal manual E6B. Durable, no batteries. The standard training tool.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

ASA E6-B Paper

~$9

Paper version — same functions, throwaway price. Buy two.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

5

Navigation Plotter

Used with sectional charts for cross-country flight planning. Required skill for the knowledge test and practical exam.

Premium

ASA Ultimate Rotating Plotter

~$18

Rotating bezel speeds up course measurement. Nicest plotter on the market.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

ASA Navigation Plotter

~$10

Standard plotter. Works perfectly for training and the checkride.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

APR Industries Plotter

~$7

Basic plotter, does the job. Sectional and WAC scales included.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

6

Fuel Tester / Fuel Strainer

Part of every preflight inspection. You need to sample fuel from sumps to check for water and contaminants before every flight.

Premium

Aviation Supplies GATS Jar

~$18

Clear jar with screwdriver tip. Holds a full sump, makes contamination obvious.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

ASA Aircraft Fuel Tester

~$8

Standard aviation fuel tester tube. Compact and reliable.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

Cup-style Fuel Strainer

~$5

Simple cup-style tester. Does the job at a rock-bottom price.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

7

Flashlight / Headlamp

Essential for night flights, preflight inspections in low light, and cockpit chart reading. A red mode preserves night vision.

Premium

Nitecore NU25 UL Headlamp

~$45

Hands-free for preflight inspections. White, red, and high-CRI modes. USB-C rechargeable, lightweight.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

ASA Aviation Flashlight (Red/White)

~$20

Purpose-built for the cockpit. Switches between white for preflight and red for night-vision preservation in the cabin.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

Coast G20 Penlight

~$10

Pocket-clip LED penlight. Simple, reliable; cover with red film for in-flight use.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

8

Aviation Sunglasses

The FAA recommends non-polarized lenses — polarized lenses can wash out LCD instrument displays and laminated canopy transitions. Grey or grey-green tint preserves color accuracy.

Premium

Randolph Aviator (Non-Polarized)

~$279

US-made, glass lenses, issued to US military pilots. Lifetime build, AGX grey-green tint.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

AO Original Pilot (Non-Polarized)

~$70

The aviator glasses that flew Apollo. Bayonet temples clear a headset cleanly.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

Pro Acme Classic Aviator (Non-Polarized)

~$20

Budget aviator-cut frames with non-polarized lenses. Good starter pair while you decide what you like.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

9

Pilot Logbook (Paper Backup)

Even if you log in Hobbstack or ForeFlight, you'll want a paper backup — many DPEs still prefer the paper logbook at your checkride, and a physical logbook is immune to cloud outages.

Premium

ASA Standard Pilot Log (Hardcover)

~$20

The standard hardcover logbook on most flight-school shelves. Lay-flat binding, FAR 61.51-compliant columns.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

ASA Standard Pilot Log (Softcover)

~$12

Same columns, softcover, cheaper. Easy to slip into a flight bag.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

Jeppesen Student Pilot Logbook

~$10

Smaller format aimed at primary students. Enough columns to get you through the private checkride.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

10

iPad Mount / Yoke Mount

If you fly with ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot, you need a secure mount. A wobbling iPad mid-pattern is a scan-breaker.

Premium

MyGoFlight Flex Suction Sport Mount

~$95

Industrial-strength suction cup to the windscreen or side window. Flex arm holds iPad Mini or full-size rock-steady.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Best Value

Sporty's iPad Kneeboard Mount

~$50

Leg-mounted tray for iPad Mini or full-size. No suction cup, no windscreen trade-offs.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

Budget

Dream Pilot Kneeboard

~$25

Soft kneeboard with an elastic iPad strap. Cheap, light, and does the job for training flights.

#ad· reviewed 2026-04

As an Amazon Associate, Hobbstack earns from qualifying purchases.