CFI's - What do you take with you on a typical flight

[BoDEAN]

Curious what other CFI's take with them on flights with students?

Right now I take the headphones, my small ASA clipboard, with a note pad on it, and some suction cups.

I am thinking of getting a better clip board. Although I like having all the "cheats" on it, I feel it is just too small for me to write down stuff in the plane (ie. on a students lesson plan, they progress, etc etc).

One CFI where I work bought a clear 8 1/2 x 11 clip board, that he uses because he can fold a chart, and see it on both sides. Pretty interesting.

 

[Catbert]

Local (VFR): headset, small ASA kneeboard, notepad, pen, and Jeppesen lesson plan (we're a 141 school using their syllabus).

Cross country (VFR): add AFD, sectional, and approach plates.

 

[SkyGuyEd]

for all students: a headset, a terminal /sectional, approach plates, and a pen

For longer xcs I would bring a jacket and a water bottle

 

[tom1178]

I guess it depends on what lesson the student is on, at a minimum i bring with me my headsets, a pen, and my kneeboard. Other items may include a sectional chart and foggles etc....

I've seen instructors bring hand-held radios with them in case the aircrafts radio's fail but basically you should bring what you definitely need for the flight and any items you may need for the flight. I should probably bring current approach plates with me just in case I need them but I haven't done so yet.

For night flight I always bring my own flashlight, I don't let my student go without his own flashlight but I'll have mine handy just in case.

 

[a-v-8er]

Whatever you feel you need! I always had pieces of paper to write on and sometimes cover instruments with for partial panel. I'd usually have the student bring the syllabus, but if your school doesn't provide them with one I'd bring one with me or you could just scratch down a lesson plan on a napkin before the flight. I always liked travelling light when I was instructing. Of course, when I first started I had a whole bag of things I never used that I lugged around with me. Think about what you could need and if you bring things you never use, take them out of your flight bag. The last year I was instructing I had everything I needed in my headset bag which included: Headset, pen, calendar and a notepad. If we actually went IFR I'd run to my car and get my Jepps too, so I had my own plates - everything else felt like overkill! This was just my way, some might have a different opinion...

Have a blast!

 

[nosehair]

The clip-board. A standard-size clip-board holds plenty of full-sized paper to write on, which is the biggest common-error amongst instructors, not writing notes to discuss on the post-flight, approach plates, maps, whatever. And you can make your own cheat-sheets, and tape onto the clip-board. It makes a little desk-top on your lap.

 

[SiuDude]

A bottle of gin and a prayer.

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI gear

I would take my headsets, a standard-sized clipboard, some paper, and student's lesson plan for that flight. For instrument training, I also brought instrument covers, hood/foggles/whatever, and charts and plates. And, of course, a pen and sunglasses, and flashlight for night flights. I later had one of those fold-over, strap-to-your-hip velcro-and-nylon flight desks, in which I placed a small TCA (Class B) chart under one of the plastic windows and my instrument covers. It had a clip, so I stopped taking my clipboard.

As far as attire goes, I always wore Justin roper boots, to ensure my ankles were protected.

 

[BoDEAN]

Great replies, thanks

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

Headset, kneeboard, sectional, pad of paper, pen, copy of lesson from syllabus for local flights. The less I need to take the better.

 

[liv'n_on_credit]

Taking on CFI flight

Curious what other CFI's take with them on flights with students?

Depends on the student.

If it's a good student who is prepared-just the headset, lesson syllabus and a notepad/pen.

If it's a problem student-whiskey, vodka or whatever it takes to get me through the flight!

 

[bertengineer]

What to bring.

I hope you also have your medical with you since you are the one acting as the PIC, as well as your certificate and a photo ID!

 

[PropsForward]

For instrument students, I take then round "smile face" post-it notes.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Call me crazy, but I used to try to make sure I didn't forget to bring a student with me.

 

[JediNein]

I take my whole flight bag on training flights, either VFR or IFR. I don't like sorting through stuff 5 minutes before a lesson, or 10 minutes, or ever. If it's all in the bag, then when I reach for it, I know it's there. If I don't find it, then I know it's not there and I move on. The bag includes the Jepp charts, handheld GPS, handheld transceiver, extra batteries, kneeboard, VFR charts, instrumnent cover-ups, electric metronome, water, 3 different flashlights, pens, pencils, pliers, screwdriver, alan wrench, a multifunction tool or two, nylon tie-wraps, halon fire extinguisher (tiny size), small survival kit, small first aid kit, spare car keys, spare airplane keys, a black sharpie, red china marker, dry erase marker, GPS book, chapstick equivalent, and either a laminated and folded $100 bill or 5 $20s. Outside of the bag I have a oregon aero cushion that makes flights much easier to handle.

For night flights I do add the 3 "D" Cell "Stun a bunny" flashlight. It's served as a taxi light, once.

For longer flights, cross countries, or those with stopovers, I take my laptop, power supply, and jacket.

The flight bag does just fine on a 1 hour demo flight to an all day SAR flight.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

a headset and a pen
I found that crumbled up pages from old approach plates left in planes work really well at covering the gauges

 

[empenage]

Nobody brings a towel?

 

[JediNein]

Nobody brings a towel?

That's in the survival kit.

No self-respecting man-about-the-universe goes anywhere without his towel!

 

[empenage]

That's in the survival kit.

No self-respecting man-about-the-universe goes anywhere without his towel!

Huh?

No, I mean a towel to cover up the entire instrument panel for your pre-solo students.

 

[TrafficInSight]

That's in the survival kit.

No self-respecting man-about-the-universe goes anywhere without his towel!

Hoopy.