Diverse flight itineraries are in the above drop-down menu.
The following is a list of items to consider taking on your trip.
Packing for Cross-Country Flights
Pilot & Navigation Essentials
These are items you should have with you on every flight, especially cross-country.
- Pilot Certificates & Documents: Pilot certificate, current FAA medical certificate, government-issued photo ID, and the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate, registration, and operating limitations (POH).
- Core Flight Gear: Aviation headset, kneeboard, flight bag, paper navigation charts for your route, an aviation-specific plotter, and a flight computer (E6-B).
- Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) & Backup: Tablet with a reliable aviation app (e.g., ForeFlight), a portable power bank, charging cables, and a portable ADS-B receiver. Always carry paper charts as a backup.
Aircraft & Safety Equipment
These items are for preflight inspections, minor maintenance, and emergency situations.
- Preflight & Maintenance Tools: Fuel tester, a multi-tool, a quality flashlight or headlamp with a red-light setting, rags, and a tie-down kit.
- Cargo Management: Cargo tie-downs or netting to secure baggage and prevent it from shifting. This is crucial for maintaining the aircraft’s center of gravity (CG) during flight maneuvers.
- Emergency & Survival: A comprehensive first-aid kit, water and non-perishable food, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), a fire extinguisher (if not already in the aircraft), a survival blanket, and a basic toolkit.
Personal Items
These items are for your comfort and well-being during the journey.
- Clothing & Comfort: Dress in layers, wear comfortable shoes, and bring non-polarized sunglasses and a hat for sun protection.
- Health & Hydration: A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated, high-protein snacks, any necessary personal medication, chapstick, and moisturizer.
- Miscellaneous: A notebook and pens, a wallet with cash and credit cards, a phone and charger, a small trash bag, and hand sanitizer.