Essential Pilot Equipment — Headsets, Sunglasses, Flight Bags & More

Your airline will provide some items, but there are essentials every pilot should invest in personally.

All Guides

Headsets

Bose A30

Industry standard ANR headset. Bluetooth, lightweight, excellent noise cancellation.

~£1,100
Premium

David Clark ONE-X

Hybrid ANR/PNR. Good noise reduction, comfortable for long sectors.

~£650
Recommended

David Clark H10-13.4

Classic PNR headset. Reliable, affordable, widely used by airlines as backup.

~£280
Budget

Sunglasses

Ray-Ban Aviator (non-polarised)

Classic pilot sunglasses. Must be non-polarised to read LCD displays.

~£130–160
Recommended

Randolph Engineering Aviator

US military spec. Bayonet or skull temples. Non-polarised glass lenses.

~£200–280
Premium
Important: Never use polarised sunglasses in the flight deck Polarised lenses can make LCD displays unreadable and hide ice on windscreens. Always choose non-polarised lenses.

Flight Bags

Brightline B7 Flight

Modular system, fits under the seat, excellent organisation. Very popular with airline pilots.

~£250–300
Recommended

Samsonite Pro-DLX 6

Professional rolling bag. Laptop compartment, expandable, durable.

~£180–250
Recommended

Torches

Streamlight Stylus Pro

Slim pen-light. Red/white modes. Fits in shirt pocket. Essential for walk-arounds.

~£20–30
Budget

Nitecore TIKI

Tiny keychain torch with red, white, and UV modes. USB-C rechargeable.

~£25–35
Recommended

Shoes

Comfort is king. You'll be on your feet for walk-arounds and sitting for hours. Look for black, polishable shoes with good arch support.

Ecco Helsinki 2

Comfortable, smart, good for long days. Popular with European pilots.

~£120–150
Recommended

Magnum Classic

Lightweight, comfortable, polishable. Good if your airline allows boots.

~£50–70
Budget
Disclaimer All information, prices, and recommendations are based on research as of 2025/26 and may change. Product recommendations are based on pilot community feedback and are not paid endorsements unless marked as referral links. Referral links may earn OALO a small commission at no cost to you. Always do your own research before purchasing.
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