Student pilot gear - our buyers guide

Want to learn to fly? Get a head start with LOOP's buyer's guide to student pilot gear

Transair PPL Study Pack (main Picture)
Includes all the basic study materials and piloting essentials. Air pilot's manuals, exam prep CD, logbook, CRP-1 flight computer, kneeboard, navigation ruler, protractor, CAA chart of your local area, marker pens, flight bag.
£199.95 From: Transair

CRP-5 Flight Computer Designed for UK commercial pilots and students, this is the upgraded version of the CRP-1. Used for working out time, distance and speed calculations and also has compressibility scales and higher wind speeds necessary for CAA commercial exams. Instructions and storage pouch supplied. £71.50 From: Pooleys

Pooleys Fixed-Wing Starter Kit Air Pilot's manuals, pre-flight briefing workbook, CRP-1 flight computer, kneeboard and log pad, navigation ruler, protractor, plotter, logbook, CAA chart of your local area, marker pens, Pooley's Flight Guide and choice of two flight cases. £179.95 From: Pooleys

CB-3 Kneeboard Strong, rigid foldover clipboard for in-flight use. Clip your landing and approach plates, frequency lists and log pads on the board. You can also squeeze in your protractor, plotter and calculator, plus attach a stopwatch through the reinforced eyelet. Morse Code, mnemonic position report, distress message and search & rescue signals printed on the board. £22.00 From: Pooleys

FB-3 Flightboard A4 landscape clipboard for attaching topographical and radio charts, handling and approach plates, frequency lists and log pads. Stopwatch can be attached to reinforced eyelet. Also has loops and pockets to hold your pencils, protractor and plotter.  Printed data includes phonetic alphabet, selected transponder codes and pre-landing check lists. £16.50 From: Pooleys

JAR-FCL Personal Flying Logbook Larger version of standard logbook issued to commercial student pilots. £16.50 From: Pooleys Leather Logbook Cover Keep your logbook in pristine condition – inside and out. £16.50 From: Pooleys

Jeppesen Professional Captain Flight Bag Complete storage for all your pilot gear – including two detachable headset bags at either end. Large exterior pocket is large enough for a laptop and insider, there's four dividers to keep your paperwork in order. Wide cushioned shoulder strap and made of tough padded nylon. Also has a detachable GPS/radio storage pouch. £89.99 From: Flightstore

Standard Fuel Tester Fuel contamination is to be avoided at all costs so make sure you have a tester in your kit to check the fuel for water or debris. Fits all quick-drain valves and has an adapter for recessed drains. Includes a Phillips/flat head screwdriver. £7.99 From: Flightstore

ASA Digital Flight Timer Designed by pilots for pilots, this chronometer is engineered for reliability, ease and convenience. Multiple timer functions are easy to use and can accurately time to next waypoint, fuel tank changes and turns in holding. £29.99 From: Flightstore

CAPTAIN'S CHOICE

Dakota Premier Leather Flight Case We don't recommend you turn up for your first lesson with one of these but there may come a time when you need one! Full leather case with a pocket for just about everything and can be locked for securing your possessions. £139.99 From: Flightstore

Breitling Aerospace Avantage Lightweight Titanium bracelet and precision timing makes this the most coveted pilot's watch on the market. Sapphire crystal glass is virtually scratchproof and has been treated to eliminate glare. Basically all singing, all dancing - hence the price tag.  £1995 From: Breitling

Fortis B-42 Pilot's Watch Well-respected and the classic choice, Fortis provides Russian cosmonauts with precision timing, so the range is more than adequate for the recreational PPL. This newest incarnation is as good as it gets but there are other lower priced versions available. £1250 From: Austin Kaye

WHERE TO BUY

Austin Kaye
020 7240 1888
www.austinkaye.com

Breitling
For your nearest stockist call 020 7636 5200
www.breitling.com

Flightstore
01924 509273
www.flightstore.co.uk

Pooleys
020 8953 4870
www.pooleys.com

Transair
01273 466000
www.transair.co.uk

WORDS: Kirsten Corrigan
PHOTOS: Dave Spurdens/www.extremsportsphoto.com