Avoid Overspending! Surprising Things you Need for Flight Training
TLDR
Student pilots can be lead in the wrong direction by pilot supply companies, flight schools or influencers who have a vested interest in the student buying something. This list details ONLY the things you absolutely need for ground and flight training before discussing things that aren’t exactly needed but can help with your studies and flying.
For ground school:
- Ground School lessons & syllabus + FAA Written Endorsement
- FAR/AIM
- Plotter Tool
- E6B Flight Computer
For flight school:
- Log Book
- Kneeboard
- Flight Bag
- Pilot Flash Light with Red & White light
- Sunglasses
- Watch or Timer in aircraft
Other items that can make things easier:
- iPad with charting/nav software
- Bluetooth GPS to connect with iPad (if aircraft has no GPS)
- Headset
- Pilot’s Knife
- Emergency/First Aid Kit
- Sentry GPS & ADS-B (if aircraft doesn’t have one)
Avoid Overspending! The surprising things you need for flight training AND the things you do not need. There are a lot of products out their for pilots and a lot of opinions on what you NEED to have as a student pilot. Unfortunately, a lot of it is at the expense of the student pilot. There are some things that you really really don’t need, some things that hinder your flight training and some things that aren’t necessary but make things much easier. Be cautious about buying things from flight schools. Flight schools generally offer you a package of books and materials with your flight training. While this is convenient, it is often at a marked up price. So what is it that you actually need and how much should it cost? Let’s discuss exactly what do you need for flight training:
Things you Need for Ground School
The best part about the Part Time Pilot Online Ground School is that we don’t require you to purchase a bunch of books or material. Almost all the content you need is contained within your membership and if it is not, we will give you links to where you can access it 100% for free.
However, there are just a few things that you will need regardless of what ground school you choose. Be aware that most in person ground schools and even some online ground schools will require that you purchase a set of books along with their course. If you wish to go with a ground school that does this, I advise you to look online for a used version of the book rather than buying straight from the club or school.
However, make sure the book has been updated with new FAA Written exam questions that were just added in the spring of 2023. As of writing this I know that now many test prep sites have done this update. At Part Time Pilot we have totally revamped our quizzes and practice tests with these new questions and even held a live lesson on what these questions were. So in summary, if you stick with Part Time Pilot for your ground studies we have you covered. But what else will you need for flight training?
#1. Ground School Material & Syllabus + FAA Written Endorsement
You’ll need to learn the ground school knowledge and whether or not that is with an online ground school like Part Time Pilot or 1-on-1 with an instructor you will also need to follow a structured syllabus that the ground school/instructor provides. You will also need to get an endorsement for the FAA Written Exam from the instructor or ground school that provided the training and believes you are ready for the exam. Part Time Pilot provides students their FAA Written Endorsement after they go through our comprehensive written, video or audio lessons, quizzes and then a custom test prep process that involves realistic FAA practice tests… a process that has lead to a 99.9% success rate on the exam for our students.
#2. The FAR/AIM
Technically you do not need to purchase this. But we recommend you get a copy and start to get familiar with looking up regulations and information. We definitely recommend having a copy handy for your Private Pilot Checkride. If you want to wait until then, no worries. We have all the rules and regulations written out in plain English inside of our lessons. And, if you do ever want to look up the specific rule you can do so for free by clicking here.
If you want a copy, you can get one on amazon here:
#3. Plotter Tool
You will need a plotter tool and we can teach you how to use it (see this YouTube video). The Plotter tool is used to measure courses and distances off sectional, terminal area and FAA figures. I recommend the plotter tool with the spinning wheel that you can find for a good price here.
#4. E6B Flight Computer
You will also need an E6B Flight Computer. A lot of people ask me if it is worth it to get an electronic E6B and my answer to them is…. maybe. Sure they compute things with great accuracy and quickly but what happens if it dies? or the batteries run out and you don’t remember how to use the Paper E6B? Both have a bit of a learning curve so why not go with the cheap version that won’t die on you. They have durable metal options and paper/cardboard options. Honestly, my paper version has lasted me 7 years and still going strong but both can be found below:
That’s it! That is the minimum that you need to complete ground school. With that said I recommend that you also get an AFD/Chart Supplement, Sectional Chart and Terminal Area Chart for the area that you plan to conduct flight training in. This will help you get the hang of using charts and deciphering the symbols and abbreviations of the charts and chart supplements.
You can find sectionals and AFD/Chart Supplements from MyPilotStore below:
Oh and be sure to click the button below to download a pdf containing the images and figures used the FAA written tests.
Things you Need for Flight Training
There are a lot of products out there for pilots and a lot that can make your life easier as a pilot. But as a student pilot you MUST ask yourself “Is this the best thing for my learning?”. For a lot of these products, the answer is no. So why waste your time and money purchasing an expensive product that will only hinder your growth as a student pilot? For these items, I recommend waiting for certain milestones to purchase them. Once you reach the milestone you can reward yourself with a gift. This way you have learned the hard way and become a better pilot and now have the luxury of your new product. Here is what you ABSOLUTELY need:
#1. Log Book
You will 100% no buts about it need a log book. It is required. And you need to log your flights and keep a tidy and up to date log book. This is proof that you have met requirements for flight hours in certain conditions. Most log books are pretty standard. There isn’t much variation and I think that is because the FAA and flight examiners like to have the same format to make it easy to read and find the info they need. ASA has the logbook I use. It is sturdy with a hard cover and even comes in several colors if you click the link below and poke around Amazon:
#2. Kneeboard
You will 100% need a kneeboard. Kneeboards help you manage your maps, notes, iPad, checklists, pens, pencils, flight computer, plotter while in the small cockpit of an aircraft. It straps to your knee to keep it from moving and spilling its contents. The ASA standard all black tri-fold kneeboard below is a cheap and good option that will get the job done. I have seen people spice there kneeboard up with patches stitched to the outside fabric:
Another option for those with an iPad or tablet that is a bit more expensive but a great product can be found below. The thing I like about this personally is that it’s a tri-fold and allows me a place to put my checklists, maps, plotter, e6b, etc.. Other iPad kneeboards simply just strap your iPad to your knee but have no tri-fold for the rest of your equipment:
#3. Flight Bag
I guess you could make the case that this is not required and you could simply walk to the airport with your kneeboard and logbook and go fly. However, I do not recommend it. I choose to bring certain things for every single flight that needs some sort of bag to be stored in. Things like water, a protein bar, a flashlight, a jacket, first aid kid, kneeboard, logbook, phone, GPS, etc.. Some of these things we will get to later but you are going to need something to carry all these. You can use a standard backpack. There is no rule that says you can’t. If saving money is your number 1 goal then I would recommend that. If not, it is cool to have a custom flight bag that says “That’s right, I’m a pilot”.
This Simple Flyer bag is durable, affordable, functional and compact. It was my first bag and I only updated it because I was gifted a leather one when I got my license. But this bag is great:
And if you want to be a bit more stylish and spend a bit more money you can go with something like the Augus Business Travel Bag below. For the price this stylish bag cannot be beat:
#4. Pilot Flash Light
You will 100% need a flash light when you start your flight training because you are required a specific number of hours flown at night. On top of this, you will need a SPECIFIC type of flash light that has both white and red light options. The red light is to be used when reading charts, checklists and other items inside the cockpit. There is even a way to make your phone and iPad use red light (triple click the off/on button). The reason you use red light is to not cause temporary blindness with the white light. If you use white light to read something in the cockpit and then turn it off you will notice you can’t see much in the darkness outside your cockpit. This can last for up to 30 minutes. Below is a great and cheap option for a flash light with both red and white light options. Make sure to bring extra batteries in your flight bag!
#5. Sunglasses
You will 100% need sunglasses especially if you have sensitive eyes. The sun can be a big pain when trying to spot traffic or terrain. There are obviously a ton of brands and everyone has their style but it is recommended that pilots use non-polarized sunglasses so that they are able to see their instrument panel without glares. Here is a pair of non-polarized aviators that are only $19.99:
#6. Watch or Timer
You need a way to keep precise time. Timing is critical in cross-country flights because it allows you to have a good idea of what fuel you have burned as well as your ground speed and helping you determine checkpoints. A lot of aircraft have timers built in but into the cockpit but it is always a good idea to have your own. You could use a timer on your phone or laptop but I don’t like this. I find a watch the easiest. I have an Apple watch that works beautifully but if you don’t want to spend on an apple watch there are plenty of great options out there. Here is a waterproof digital watch with timer that you can choose in one of several colors for only $16! It works great and comes recommended from several of our students:
As I have mentioned before… I am the type of pilot who is always thinking about things that can improve my safety in an airplane, even if it improves 0.1%, I’m gonna do it. So getting a watch that has a thermometer, compass and altimeter in it can work as a backup in case those instruments fail in my airplane. Here is an affordable and highly rated option:
Other Equipment for Flight Training
As I said above there is a LOT a pilot can buy that can seem helpful in the cockpit. Truth is a lot of it can hinder your learning as a student pilot. However, there are some items that are super super helpful and that I recommend my students get once they have learned to fly without them:
#1. iPad or Tablet with Foreflight or charting software
An iPad with an electronic flight bag such as Foreflight makes life MUCH easier. But I only recommend my students purchase these until they have at least completed a solo cross-country flight without them. Being able to navigate cross-country with no GPS, no iPad and no electronic charts is an invaluable skill. Plus, your examiner on your checkride will make sure you know how to fly without your iPad.
But once you reach that level I highly recommend getting an iPad and Foreflight membership (Foreflight currently only works with Apple products). Then, get a portable GPS that connects to your iPad via Bluetooth (see next product) and you will be able to see your aircraft on top of the charts and moving along the charts inside Foreflight and on your planned Foreflight route. I recommend getting the size of an iPad that you can easily see but isn’t too big that it gets in the way. For me, that is the iPad mini here:
#2. Bluetooth GPS
If the aircraft you’re flying in doesn’t have a GPS then you can pair your iPad over bluetooth with a portable GPS. Foreflight will recognize it and place your location on top of the charts. The absolute BEST portable bluetooth GPS is the super small and light-weight Dual Electronics GPS. You can place it right on your dashboard. The battery is rechargeable and lasts almost 9 hours! And my favorite part is that it works perfect in high heat. Flying in southern California and placing this thing in the direct sunlight on top of the dash I was a little worried about the heat. But I have not once ever had an issue, great product!
#3. Headset
I didn’t put this on the required list because most flight schools and clubs have them to borrow or rent. But let’s be honest it would be nice to have your own. Headset prices range from $150 to $2000 or more and the sounds quality varies usually with the price. But this does not mean you need to buy $1000 headset to be able to hear anything. In fact, the brand below has great audio and comes recommended from Part Time Pilot for those trying to save some money (see bottom of this page on how to get 15% off):
But if you are someone that just have to have the best products regardless of money you simply cannot go wrong with a pair of Bose headsets. I recently just upgraded to the noise cancelling Bose and I love them:
#4. Pilot’s Knife
Definitely not required but handy to have in an emergency. This knife below has a seatbelt cutter as well as a windshield breaker in case you get stuck in an aircraft that’s on fire or sinking:
#5. Emergency/First Aid Kit
For cross-country trips it is smart to bring a small, compact first aid kit as well as some other supplies such as water, a jacket, a NASA blanket, protein bars, etc.. Here is a great and compact first aid kit that you can stuff in your flight bag to have at all times:
#6. Sentry GPS & ADS-B
For those that are looking for an ADS-B for their aircraft (ADS-B are advanced transponders required by the FAA) the Sentry by Foreflight is a good option as it combines GPS with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System… more accurate GPS used for IFR flying), ADS-B transponder with weather and traffic data.
They have 3 options, each more expensive than the last… but the more expensive versions even have CO monitors, pressure altitude sensors, G-force meter, and more.
Exclusive Deals for Part Time Piloters
One of the ways that Part Time Pilot can help you save money is by trying to get you all some discount codes for the products I really like and believe in. As I continue to grow this list, I will update it with more and more discounts on aviation products.
The list currently includes items that aren’t necessarily required for flight training but will help aid you in some of the more taxing and difficult aspects of flight training. And we have discounts codes for them for the simple reason that I have tried and tested these products myself. I receive no commission for these sales. I simply liked them so much I reached out and asked if our students could get a discount. The list includes; aviation radio simulators, headsets, flight uniforms and digital logbooks:
The number 1 way to ensure your success in becoming a pilot is by properly managing your time & money
And the easiest way to properly manage your time & money is by doing ground school before it’s too late and ACTUALLY understanding the material
5 years ago I saw NO ONE mentoring unsuspecting students on the traps in flight training that was costing them $1000s
This is why I created the Part Time Pilot Online Ground Schools
The ground schools were created with these ideas at the heart of our mission statement:
- Mentoring students from start to finish
- Providing content that saves time & money & provides a deep understanding
How does Part Time Pilot compare to other Online Ground Schools?
I went to the website of each of the Top10 Online Ground Schools and gathered ALL the relevant info a student pilot like you needs to make an informed decision.
Things like cost, student ratings, lifetime access or not, types of lessons, bonuses included, scholarships included, support available and more.
Then, I lined them all up and compared them all in a single table so that student pilots could make the best, most informed decision on their training.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the topic of what student pilots need for ground and flight school:
What to Buy for Flight Training?
For flight training, the following items are must buys for flight training:
- Sectional/Terminal Area Charts
- Chart Supplement
- Log Book
- Kneeboard
- Flight Bag
- Flash Light with red & white light
- Sunglasses
- Watch or timer
And you can get by without the following items but they will help:
- iPad or Tablet with Nav/Chart Software
- GPS or Bluetooth GPS to connect to iPad
- Headset
- Pilot’s Knife
- First Aid Kit
- Sentry GPS & ADS-B
What to Bring to Ground School?
Whether you are going to a ground school in person or online you will still be required to have a few physical items:
- FAR/AIM
- Plotter Tool
- E6B Flight Computer
You will also need the images & figures for practicing for the FAA Written exam. This can be purchased as a physical book or you can just download the PDF. Your ground school may also require you to buy some sort of test prep books or other material as well. The Part Time Pilot Online Ground School does not require students to buy any other supplemental books or material as everything the student needs, including comprehensive lessons and test prep material, is inside the course or in the Bonus sections of the course.
Can you do Ground School and Flight School at the same time?
Yes. You certainly can and it can certainly be done. However, I do not recommend it for student pilots. When pilots get a good ground school education prior to flight lessons, they are more successful in those lessons and spend less money on flight training. Why? This is because when students understand the systems they are using and the environment they are flying in they are able to focus more on flying. They think less as they fly and are able to stay ahead of the aircraft mentally. This leads to less mistakes, safer flight and less repeated lessons which costs more money. When students don’t have to study ground school during flight training they are also able to spend more time preparing for their next flight lessons by doing flight planning, simulation training, chair flying and more.
What are some good Apps for Flight Training? Good Apps for Ground Training?
The best app or software you can get for ground and flight training is a lifetime access online ground school. Many online ground schools provide lifetime access which allows you to stay current on your studies and remain a safe, competent pilot. Other tools may also be included in a ground school membership that can help with your flight training and future checkrides. For example, Part Time Pilot online ground school provides students with audio lessons they can download to any device, AI chats trained like FAA instructors, and live voice-to-voice AI simulator for ATC communication and Mock Oral Checkride Practice. Other than a lifetime access online ground school, here are some other apps that are good to have for ground and flight training:
- Charting & Navigation apps like Foreflight or Garmin
- Digital logbook apps (there are several)
- FAA Test Prep apps (see the free Part Time Pilot app here)
- E6B flight computer apps (see the free Part Time Pilot app here)
- FAR/AIM app like ASAs
- Aviation Radio Simulators (see Part Time Pilot online ground school for live voice-to-voice simulator)
- Digital logbooks such as LogTen or MyFlightBook
- Weather apps like MyRadar or AeroWeather
What Books should I get for Flight Training? What Books for Ground Training?
The only book that is an absolute must is the FAR/AIM. However, it can also be very helpful while studying for the FAA Written to have a physical copy of the Airmen Knowledge Testing Supplement so that you can have the figures right in front of you and be able to draw and measure from them.
Ideally, your Online Ground School would provide everything you need to both learn all the required knowledge at a deep level and to prep for your FAA Written Exam. Part Time Pilot students require no additional purchases of any test prep or knowledge content and even the books that we do have for sale, like our Ultimate Private Pilot Test Prep book is included for free as a PDF in the online ground school.
How much does everything Cost to become a Pilot?
Here is a brief overview of the costs of the line items to become a private pilot:
- Medical Exam: $150
- Ground School: $150-$1000
- FAR/AIM: $20-$30
- Plotter Tool: $10-$15
- E6B Flight Computer: $25-$100
- Sectional/Terminal Area Charts: $20-$40
- Chart Supplement: $10-$20
- Log Book: $12-$25
- Kneeboard: $20-$70
- Flight Bag: $30-$100
- Flight Light: $15-$30
- Sunglasses: $10-$100
- Watch or Timer: $20-$100
- iPad: $400-$1200
- GPS: $200-$400
- Charting/Nav Software: $70-$120/month
- Headset: $200-$1200
- FAA Written Exam: $160-$200
- Aircraft Rental for average hours of 65 at average US rental rate: $11,000
- Instructor Time for Dual Flight Instruction at US average instructor rate: $2000
- Instructor Time for Pre & Post Flight Ground Instruction as US average rate: $1200
- FAA Checkride: $500-$800
This totals to be around $17,000 to $18,000. Again, this is based on the US average of finishing the requirements for private pilot in 65 hours at an average aircraft rental rate and paying an instructor the average rate of $60.
This can be made cheaper by flying in more rural areas where rental and instructor rates are lower and by utilizing an online ground school and doing ground school prior to flight training. You can also take advantage of Part Time Pilot’s free How to Become a Pilot and Save Money course that mentors you through your flight training journey in the most cost-effective way possible.
