You Can Fly - 2021 edition - 32

WHY I FLY
POSTSOLO GEAR

Once you've flown an aircraft solo, you're well on your way to earning your
wings. Soon, you'll start making cross-country flights to other airports-and
sometimes other states. These flights require more planning, and more gear.
Sectional plotter. A plotter helps draw lines and measure distances
on sectional charts to plot your course. Less than $10 (or free from a pilot
who has extra)
E6B flight computer. The flight computer (E6B is a 1941 U.S. Army Air
Forces designation!) helps determine fuel consumption, time, and distance
to your destination, wind correction, and more for your flight. Although
aircraft GPS navigation systems automatically make many of these calculations, you'll need an E6B to learn the basics of navigation. Available
in cardboard or more durable aluminum (and sometimes called whiz
wheels)-or as an electronic calculator. $15 to $80
Electronic flight bag. Much of the gear mentioned so far is digitally
available in nifty software called an electronic flight bag (EFB). An EFB app
installed on your phone or tablet provides access to a sectional chart, chart
supplement, plotter, flight computer, navigation, logbook-and much more.
Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight Mobile are the two most commonly used EFBs,
but many others are available. Annual subscription pricing is based on the
number of features you unlock in the app. $99 to $299 per year
Back-up battery. Phones and tablets only last so long-particularly
when running navigation software using GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Extreme heat or cold can also reduce battery life. A back-up battery prevents unexpected device shutdowns due to dead batteries. $15 to $99
Action camera. One or two strategically mounted action cameras can
help you assess your strengths and weaknesses on every training flight. And,
watching yourself fly after you're back on the ground is just plain fun. $39
for an inexpensive action camera to $450 for a high-end GoPro (accessories
such as camera mounts and memory cards are extra)
Headset. Now that you have completed a few training flights it may
be the right time to invest in your own headset. Although any headset
will protect your hearing, this is one item you should buy the best product you can afford. A headset that is lightweight, fits comfortably, and
has active noise reduction (ANR) will make life in the cockpit far more
enjoyable. $100 to $1,100
kollin.stagnito@aopa.org

WHY I FLY

" Flying feels like freedom
to me. But most of all,
flying is connecting people
to the things and the
people they need and love.
That's why I love to fly. "
-Boeing 747 cargo pilot
Nancy Bradshaw

NANCY BRADSHAW

32 FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2021

SHINJI MAEDA

" American aviation gave
me a second chance in my
life. It's my turn to pay
it forward for future
aviators! "
-Aspiring earthrounder Shinji Maeda

Private pilot kits

Some flight schools suggest, or require, students
buy an all-in-one private
pilot kit. Sporty's, King
Schools, Jeppesen, ASA,
and Gleim Aviation all
offer their own versions,
which typically include
a logbook, plotter, flight
computer, and all the
publications necessary
to complete the ground
portion of your flight
training. Optional on
some kits are online
courses, flight gear bags,
and even aviation headsets. These bundles are
invariably less expensive
than buying each product
separately-saving you
money in the long run.
$150 to $400

You Can Fly - 2021 edition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of You Can Fly - 2021 edition