In each issue of Plane & Pilot magazine, we share a handful of gear for pilots that we feel pilots and aviation enthusiasts would love to have.
The round-up in our March 2020 issue includes a wooden cheese cutter, a multi-function survival hammer, Sporty’s deluxe Learn to Fly Kit, and more items for pilots! Click through the gallery below to view all of the items.
Aviation Keychains
If youâre someone who spends an inordinate amount of time searching for your keys, these lighthearted flying-related keychains can shorten the process. These cotton-fabric embroidered keychains feature a selection of colors and short quips to choose from, including âPull to Ejectâ and âKeep Calm and Fly On,â among several others. And at half-a-foot in length, theyâre easy to find when thrown in a gear bag. Each individual keychain is priced at $4.99.
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Pilotâs Multi-Function Survival Hammer
In the event of an emergency, itâs important to have the right tool on hand to get out of a dicey situation. This multitool provides that assurance, as well as additional functionality for everyday tasks, be they maintaining an airplane or enjoying the outdoors. While its window break hammer and seatbelt cutter will allow users to get out of an aircraft quickly, the pocket-size tool also features a number of other handy features, including a ratchet, a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, a knife and saw, hex wrenches, and a bottle and can opener. Lastly, the tool features an LED light for use in night-time conditions.
The tool, which is priced at $19.99, comes in a protective nylon case for easy carriage.
Airplane Wooden Cheese Cutter
This chic and fun wooden cheese board allows aviation enthusiasts to entertain in style or to simply celebrate their love of flying while relaxing at home. Made of durable hardwood and set atop an airplane-shaped nickel plate, the board comes with a cheese knife adorned with a simple single-engine prop plane shape at one end. Great for gift-giving or for personal use, this set is a perfect addition for someone who dually enjoys a great flight and a good cheese. The item is priced at $90.
The Next Five Minutes: Embracing The Impossible
This autobiography from the man who, along with Jeana Yeager, piloted the first-ever round-the-globe, non-refueled flight traces the trials and tribulations of that venture along with Dick Rutanâs earlier life experiences and time as a fighter pilot in Vietnam. In his new book, released over the summer, the aviation legend reflects on the initial challenges he faced in the academic realm as he struggled to overcome dyslexia and pursue his dreams of succeeding in the world of aviation. Despite these obstacles, Rutan went on to become a decorated fighter pilot in the Vietnam War and achieved feats many in the aviation industry previously considered impossible.
In The Next Five Minutes: Embracing The Impossible, written with Kelly Hall, Rutan illuminates the behind-the-scenes stories to these adventures, giving readers an up-close and personal view into some of the most daring achievements in aviation history.
The book is available for $34.95.
Sportyâs Deluxe Learn To Fly Kit
Anyone looking to learn to fly or get back into the game after a long hiatus will need to invest in key gear items and educational materials. This Learn to Fly Kit from Sportyâs helps aspiring pilots cover their bases and get everything they need in one go.
Included in the package is Sportyâs 2020 Learn to Fly Course, which provides 15-plus hours of video instruction to guide users through the content mastery needed for the FAA written test. The course can be accessed online or via Android or iPhone app.
An assortment of books is part of the kit, including the FAA Aviation Weather Textbook, the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, the FAR/AIM, the Pilotâs Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the online Private Pilot Maneuvers Guide.
In terms of gear, the kit provides users with an electronic E6B flight computer, which features 24 aviation functions, such as density altitude and true airspeed, and conversion functionality, such as Celsius to Fahrenheit. Also included is a logbook for tracking flight hours, as well as a fuel tester, a sectional plotter and VFR/IFR flight plan forms. Rounding out the kit, which is available for $399, is a bag from Flight Gear HP in which to place all the swag.
Astronaut String Lights
For the bedroom of a young one fascinated by space or for use at a fun themed party, these astronaut string lights can bring a festive spirit to anyone who takes an interest in life beyond planet Earth. The free-floating lights are battery-powered and feature 10 color-changing miniature spacemen on a 5-foot, 4-inch string.
The lights are available for $24.99.
Leather Charger Roll Up
For tech-lovers transporting all kinds of chargers and cords, this roll-up from Mark & Graham provides a clean and hassle-free way to carry them. The product, made of unlined leather, includes three separate pockets in which to store headphones or USB cables. Once the items are in place, simply roll the carrier up and tie it together. The roll up can be easily cleaned with the wipe of a cloth, and it can be monogrammed for a personalized touch, if desired.
The product comes in a wide array of colors and is available for $49.
Flight Outfitters Sling Pack
Pilots looking to keep their cockpits organized will appreciate this lightweight sling pack from Flight Outfitters. Comprised of black nylon, with the Flight Outfitters logo embroidered in the front center, the pack features six different pockets for users to sort their gear, including a mesh pocket on the inside of the front flap. The bag can accommodate a tablet, and it has a removable gun holster for those who conceal and carry.
The bag includes a single padded shoulder strap that can be adjusted to fit either the left- or right-hand side of the body. It also has a carrying handle at the top of the bag for those who prefer to take it in hand.
Initially listed at $79.95, the price has been cut to $59.95.
