In each issue of Plane & Pilot magazine, we share pilot gear that we feel you would love to have.
The round-up in our September 2020 issue includes a t-shirt that promotes social distancing, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and more! Click through the gallery below to view all of the items.
Skyroam Solis Global WiFi Hotspot and Powerbank
This subscription-free WiFi hotspot helps pilots stay connected no matter where their trips take them. The low-commitment unit allows users to forgo expensive monthly or annual fees and instead purchase 24-hour all-access passes only when they need them. Each pass costs $9 and will grant unlimited WiFi access in over 100 different countries. With the Skyroam Solis, users can connect up to five different devices to WiFi at once, making it easy to share the connection with friends or clients. It will allow 16-plus hours of WiFi access on a single battery charge, and no SIM cards are required to access the network. In addition to providing internet, the Skyroam Solis also serves as a 6000 mAh powerbank that connects to devices using a USB-C port.
The unit is available for $99.95.
Learn more at aircraftspruce.com.
Social Distancing T-Shirt
This shirt celebrates the kind of social distancing pilots have been doing for decades, before it became a worldwide necessity. For pilots who enjoy getting away from it all in the less-crowded environment of a few thousand feet above Earth, thereâs never been a better excuse for venturing on a solo joy ride in a small airplane. The shirt, made of 100% cotton and priced at $16.50, is available in sizes small through XXL.
Learn more at sportys.com.
Microsoft Flight Simulator As A Training Aid
Pilots looking to get extra sim time in without paying the big bucks might be overlooking a useful tool they may already have at home. For years, Microsoft Flight Simulator has been delivering to pilots and non-pilots alike the realism of life in the air, providing users with a great opportunity to hone their flying skills in a fun, risk-free environment. This e-book, written by Bruce Williams, helps pilots get the most out of that experience to ensure the skills they learn at home translate to the cockpit.
The book provides a plethora of both VFR and IFR practice flights that users can download, along with specific guidance and tips on how to fly them to cement proper airmanshipment to memory. The book also incorporates charts, reference documents and other materials to flesh out a studentâs understanding of a given flight and mimic a real-world scenario.
The book, which is available for $22.50, applies to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 as well as Microsoft Flight Simulator X.
Learn more at aircraftspruce.com.
Samsonite Electronic Luggage Scale
Keeping an airplane within the appropriate weight and balance limits is a key responsibility of the PIC. However, that task isnât always easy when every pound counts, and passengers are bringing extra bags onboard. Thatâs where this electronic luggage scale from Samsonite can come in handy. The tool weighs bags up to 80 pounds, giving pilots exact details regarding just how much weight theyâll be carrying on any given flight. And at just 0.32 pounds itself, the luggage scale is easy to bring along for the trip to double-check luggage weights as situations change.
The product is available for $25.
Learn more at shop.samsonite.com.
CliPad Multifunctional iPad Case
When you need to jot down a frequency or ATC instructions, sometimes having a phone or iPad in front of you isnât the quickest way to get the job done. This iPad case from CliPad makes it easy to take notes in the cockpit while also protecting your device. The clean and simple design features a hidden slot to access a clipboard, turning the outside of the case into a solid writing surface. Covering the slot is a magnetic fold that can move in either direction, allowing users to secure notes on both the outside and interior of the case.
The product folds to prop up an encased iPad for easy viewing, and it also features an inside pocket for paper storage. The case, priced at $39.99, includes cutouts for all buttons and the charging port.
Learn more at pilotmall.com.
Hillsound BTR Stool
Whether youâre looking forward to sitting around a campfire or just trying to take a break on the tarmac, this ultra-compact and easily transportable stool is a great standby to have in your airplane for such occasions. The stool, which began as a Kickstarter campaign and weighs less than a pound, has quickly gained popularity among outdoorsmen and women who are looking to travel light.
The stool relies on aluminum alloy legs and comes in two sizes, one that extends to 14 inches and one to 17 inches. The seat, made of nylon mesh, is removable. When compressed, the entire BTR package is small enough that it can fit into the water bottle holder of a backpack.
The stool can withstand up to 240 pounds and comes in three different color optionsâblue, black and orange. The 14-inch version is available for $55, while the 17-inch product is priced at $59.
Learn more at hillsound.com.
