Most important flight tool?

[adavis858]

This is my first post, so be kind.

My brother is going to flight school in July, and I was looking for something special as a going away / commissioning gift that he will actually use during his Navy career. Any ideas? I dont want it to be too expensive, but more on the reliable, "you will use this all the time" side of things. My dad suggested a Surefire A2 Aviator flashlight.

Thanks!

 

[scoober78]

Flashlight is pretty universal, no matter what platform he ends up flying and I think would be a good suggestion...I'm a big fan of Fenix flashlights. Really high quality and less pricey than Streamlight/Surefire. They also typically use standard batteries as opposed to lithiums.

 

[MIDNJAC]

A warcranium

 

[scoober78]

A digital logbook...while tough to wrap would be a nice gift as well...

Logbook Pro- http://www.nc-software.com/Logbook-Pro-Flight-Log-Software-for-Pilots
LogTen- http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/17213

Not sure if it's quite what you're after, but extremely useful and not platform specific.

 

[helolumpy]

A good multi-tool.
I use a Leatherman Wave http://www.leatherman.com/product/Wave

It can ve useful both in and out of the aircraft.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I gotta give a shout out to a classmate, and small business owner that advertises on here.

Night Vision Pen. I honestly use it all the time.

 

[Swanee]

I gotta give a shout out to a classmate, and small business owner that advertises on here.

Night Vision Pen. I honestly use it all the time.

This. The NVP is really useful for not only night flights but also in the sims.

 

[jtmedli]

I would say the flashlight + a Night Vision Pen would be a very useful combo. I use my red/white LED flashlight and NVP pretty regularly. Probably moreso than I even realize.

 

[Hozer]

Imodium.

 

[SynixMan]

Johnny Walker Blue Label

Edit-More of a post flight tool, but you get the idea.

 

[CommodoreMid]

Imodium.

Especially if he goes P-3s.

 

[Renegade One]

This is my first post, so be kind.

adavis858: You're a great brother. You'll get some great recommendations here...if you can separate the wheat from the chaff.
I wonder if your post's "opening line" doesn't give us all pause...and maybe a heads up as to how we may be being received/perceived by the caring families of the great young men and women who care enough about their country to want to do this for a living.
Welcome to the AirWarriors forum, and all the best. Maybe your brother will be buying you a similar gift someday.

 

[adavis858]

A digital logbook...while tough to wrap would be a nice gift as well...

I have no idea how the Navy handles flight logs. Do they still keep a handwritten logbook or is everything electronic now?

 

[ea6bflyr]

You could also get him a flight bag starter kit. 9g kneeboarding and a pub bag. Most every student buys their own when they go through Primary. Wings has some stuff...you can also look at Sporty's Pilot Shop

-ea6bflyr

 

[adavis858]

adavis858: You're a great brother. You'll get some great recommendations here...if you can separate the wheat from the chaff.
I wonder if your post's "opening line" doesn't give us all pause...and maybe a heads up as to how we may be being received/perceived by the caring families of the great young men and women who care enough about their country to want to do this for a living.
Welcome to the AirWarriors forum, and all the best. Maybe your brother will be buying you a similar gift someday.

Renegade one, thanks for the welcome. Grandfather flew A-4's off the Hancock, Airboss on the Ranger. Dad flew S-3's off the Enterprise ('Hook 91), and my Bro is just getting started. ROTC @ UCLA, heading for P-Cola. We're probably not the best test of perceptions .