REQUIRED ITEMS FOR
STUDENT PILOTS

Unsure what to buy before flight training starts? This simple guide lists key pilot gear and study tools for new student pilots. Looks like many items at first. You'll use them all through training, whether for Private Pilot certificate or airline career path. We sorted by category. Easy to follow.

• Pilot Gear

• Study Material

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New pilots often wonder about costs or must-haves. This list sticks to basics you need right away. Skip the fancy extras until later. A good headset blocks engine noise so you hear air traffic control crisp and clear. Sectional charts show airspace and airports in detail. Your logbook tracks every flight hour, a key rule for certificates.

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Pilot Gear

Whether you are a student pilot or a seasoned aviator, having the right essentials can make all the difference in ensuring a successful and safe flight. We have put together a short list of items student pilots are required to get before they start flight training with an instructor, as you continue through training you will be required to add to your flight bag. Plus, it shows you as the student prepared to learn.

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Required Gear to Start

• Headset

• logbook

• Non-polarized Sunglasses

• Knee Board

 

Headset:

Having a high-quality headset is crucial for communicating with ATC and other planes, as well as safeguarding your ears. Ensure that the headset is fit for your needs and that there is a solid bond between the ear cups, especially with a pair of sunglasses to ensure the headset is comfortable to wear. Make sure that the headset you select is appropriate for the aircraft you're flying. Most large pilot supply shops (Aircraft Spruce, Sportys, Marv’s Pilot Shop, etc.) have a lot of different headsets on display for you to look at and try on.

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A couple of good headset brands that we recommended to start and are reasonable priced are:

• David Clark

• Lightspeed

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For more in-depth details, visit our Recommended Headsets page.

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Logbook:

After your first flight, whether it’s a discovery flight or a training lesson, your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) will sign off on your initial flight hour. This marks the beginning of your official flight log. It is required for Student Pilots to carry their logbook on every training flight. When purchasing a logbook make sure it says Pilot Logbook on the front and not Aircraft Logbook.

 

Non-polarized Sunglasses:

Since sunglasses were mentioned earlier, let's revisit them. Pilot essentials should include sunglasses as a major component. Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from glare and any strains.

Key TIP: Select sunglasses that are not polarized. Why? Because polarized lenses can destroy depth perception and make the screens of glass cockpit aircraft black and unreadable.

 

Single Plate Knee Board:

It is highly recommended to have a kneeboard with paper and writing utensils (pens and pencils). So you can easily and quickly write down weather information, ATC/taxi instruction, etc. Remember, to always carry a few extra pens or pencils in your flight bag, in case one breaks, or gets lost.

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Flashlight and a Headlamp (required later on)

This items well be used during the night flying requirements.

• LED flashlight - that has the ability to switch between white, red, and perhaps blue light. Remember to always carry extra batteries.

• Headlamps - Make sure to choose a headlamp with multiple colored lights. For preflight inspections, use the white light for a clear view of the aircraft's interior and exterior. During flight, switch to the red light for reading sectional charts, approach plates, taxi diagrams, and note-taking.

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Study Material

The books required for a student pilot form your first flight plan and will be continued to be used throughout your pilot training from Student Pilot to Air transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. They build your skills for ground school, checkrides, safe and knowledgeable flights. Picking the right books can feel tough. We picked the best aviation books to start your flying path and shelf. We highly recommend you get paper copies of these books. Students can highlight key information and add tabs to pages, making things easier to find during class, while studying and even for checkrides.

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NOTE: The handbooks are free online as digital files, for those who want to study on the road.

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Books Required for Student Pilots

• Pilot Operating Handbook

• FAR/AIM

• Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

• Airplane Flying Handbook

• U.S. Chart Supplement

• Aviation Weather Handbook

• Private Pilot Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS)

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Pilot’s Operating Handbook

Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) covers your exact plane model. It serves as the primary manual for your aircraft. Need fuel capacity? Runway length for takeoff? Check it first. This is your core resource. Read it from start to finish. The upside: every plane must carry one to fly. The downside: your study guide stays grounded unless the plane is up. Buy it only after you pick your aircraft type and model.

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FAR/AIM

The Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM) into one book. It's the top guide for aviation rules and key flight info. FAR CFR 14 Part 61 spells out steps to get your pilot license and Part 91 covers flying rules, etc. The AIM explains air traffic control, NAVAIDs, weather, and more. Tons of solid info there. You can even refer to it on your pilot exam.

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Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK)

The PHAK, referred to a “P-Hack” is your go-to guide for aerodynamics and aircraft systems. Curious about altimeters and how they work? What about wings and lift? PHAK shows how air flows faster over the curved top. That drops pressure up there. Pressure stays higher below. The difference pulls the wing up. Simple airfoil shapes do the trick. Bernoulli's idea comes alive in these pages. Start with the basics and gain knowledge with this book.

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Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH)

The Airplane Flying Handbook covers basic pilot skills and knowledge needed to fly airplanes. This includes all FAA info required for in-flight operations. The newest edition grows and refreshes material key to FAA tests and ACS. It adds fresh safety topics and tech details, like preventing loss-of-control upsets.

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VFR Sectional Charts / U.S. Chart Supplement

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Sectional charts are used for navigating during flight, either on local area flights or during cross-country flights and provide a wealth of information to pilots and will be used during training. The U.S. Chart Supplement provides specifics like operating hours, layouts, taxi diagrams, fuel spots, private terminals, and a lot more information which is key information for testing as well as for visits.

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Aviation Weather Handbook

The Aviation Weather Handbook serves as the main guide for weather and meteorology topics in FAA Knowledge Exams and pilot certification. It covers the U.S. aviation weather program, briefings, theory, flying hazards, meteorology, mountain, tropical, arctic, and space weather, plus observations, charts, advisories, forecasts, online resources, flight tools, and more.

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Private Pilot Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS) (optional)

This book spells out what aspiring pilots must learn, practice, and keep in mind for the Private Pilot Airplane FAA Knowledge Exam and checkride. It covers aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and flight proficiency standards needed for certification. It also lists ACS codes and the Companion Guide.

 

Approximate total for as of 2025 for the listed paperback versions not including tax or shipping, ranges between $125 - 205

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