In each issue of Plane & Pilot magazine, we share pilot gear that we feel you would love to have.
The round-up in our April 2021 issue includes sneakers designed for pilots, Flight Gear 3 Port Charger and more! Click through the gallery below to view all of the items.
Flight Gear 3 Port Charger
Whether it be a tablet or your smartphone, keeping your electronic devices powered up is essential for todayâs pilot. This three-port charger allows you to replenish multiple devices at once via two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. The former ports provide 2.4 amps simultaneously, while the latter provides a quick charge and is rated at 18 watts. The plug prongs on the charger fold back, minimizing the possibility of damage and making for a compact, portable item.
The charger is available for $22.95.
Learn more at sportys.com.
YETI Lowlands Blanket
This Lowlands blanket from YETI combines the protection of a tarp with the comfort of a super-soft blanket. Perfect for tailgates, camping or cold airplane cabins, this blanket checks all the boxes. Equipped with a waterproof layer that protects from the elements? Check. Designed to repel pet hair and dirt? Check. Machine-washable? Check, check, check.
Unfolded, the blanket measures 55 x 78 inches. It weighs close to 6 pounds and comes with a zippable carrying case. Available in fireside red, smoke blue or coral, the blanket is priced at $199.99.
Learn more at Yeti.com.
Air Boss Ultraknit Shoes
These Air Boss shoes from Lift Aviation are specifically designed with pilots in mind. The sport shoes feature a patent-pending heel slider that enables the shoe to roll and slide with the foot, meaning the wearerâs precise movements never get lost in translation when manipulating the rudder. On top of the ergonomic heel slider, the shoes also have Response Core EVA midsoles and OrthoLite performance insoles, making for a comfortable walk on the tarmac or wherever a trip takes you. Made of a form-fitting mesh fabric, the shoes are breathable and adapt to the shape of the foot.
The shoes are available in sizes 7-14. Sizes run slightly small, and itâs recommended that buyers select half a size larger than they typically wear. The shoes are available for $139 per pair.
Learn more at liftaviationusa.com.
Airplane Charm
This delightful charm from Tiffany & Co. is a great indulgence or gift for those with a passion for flying and brand-name style. Made of sterling silver, the simple twin turboprop design can be added to a charm bracelet or strung alone on a necklace chain for greater emphasis. The charm is available for $175 and comes in the storeâs iconic little blue box.
Learn more at tiffany.com.
Lift Mini Flight Bag
Based on Flight Outfittersâ original Lift bag, this miniature version provides the same organization for your flight gear minus a bit of the bulk. The bag features a central padded compartment large enough to hold a headset with some room to spare, along with a padded iPad pocket in a separate zipped compartment. In the front of the bag, a smaller section with two mesh pockets and a keyring is the perfect place to store small valuables or doodads. Three exterior pockets allow pilots easy access to a fuel tester, flashlight or other essentials.
Little touches such as elastic bands for headset batteries and a pass-through cable slot for charging an iPad set this bag apart from other options of similar size. The bag measures less than a foot in height and trims several inches in depth in comparison to its larger alternative. The Mini also shaves $30 off the price of the bigger bag, for a total cost of $69.95.
Learn more at flightoutfitters.com.
Sparrow W500 Carbon Monoxide & Air Monitor
The Sparrow W500 is a portable monitor that tracks air quality and provides emergency alerts when carbon monoxide reaches dangerous levels. The device stores data over time to give users cumulative information about their exposure to harmful environments while also offering location data so that users can plan routes that avoid unhealthy conditions.
In addition to providing emergency notifications when conditions breach hazardous levels, the device allows users to set their own custom alerts according to their exposure comfort level. The device can also be set up to send emergency text messages to a designated contact number in the event of very high CO levels, as long as the device is linked to the mobile app via an active wifi connection.
The device comes with a price tag of $208.87.
Learn more at aircraftspruce.com.
pingStation 2
uAvionix has added to its line of easy-to-install ADS-B products with the newly released pingStation 2, a dual-band receiver that collects inputs from both 978 MHz UAT and 1090 MHz. The simultaneous reception on both frequencies allows the product to track the location of aircraft over 200 miles away, providing pilots with a rich picture of aerial traffic to enhance flight safety.
The product combines the receiver, GPS and antenna in a single unit encased in a weatherproof exterior. The pingStation is powered via a POE network cable that connects to LAN and is easy to install on an airplane by using its pole-clamping components.
The product is MLAT capable if used with third-party multilateration software. The pingStation 2 is available for $1,750.
Learn more at uavionix.com.
