IFR Training Materials & View Limiting Devices

In my time as a pilot, I often buy products based on the recommendations of other pilots I respect. Since my blog is often filled with shameless self promotion, I will understand if you don't believe the product plugs that follow. I can only say that I sell a lot of aviation products and the ones in this blog are the ones that I know and I am familiar with.

In aviation training, particularly IFR training, good cockpit organization is essential. I have found that having the right plates in the right place can make the difference between a harried, missed, precision approach and a nicely executed, precise, non-precision approach.

The IFR Flight File is a fabulous product. It is essentially a bunch of see through folders that are just the right size to store approach plates in. One of the coolest features is the fact that you can write on the folders in pencil, then erase your marks for the next flight. The back cover also has an erasable flight plan that will eliminate your dependence on those little paper sheets at the FBO.

View limiting devices are a necessary evil during IFR training. These things can really ruin your day. If you have temple crushing nose scratchers, you will be distracted. I have yet to find a wholesaler, or the manufacturer of the Hoodlamb (contact me if you know where I can buy these in bulk), but it is a great product.

The Hoodlamb is old news, but still a great solution to a vexing problem. This device never touches your temples or your nose. The view limiting device attaches to your headset and simply flips up out of the way when you "break out of the clouds". I don't sell it yet, but you can find it at tagpilotsupply.com

Kneeboards are also a must have. In general, most manufacturers put these out in VFR and IFR flavors. The primary difference between IFR kneeboards and VFR kneeboards is the length. The VFR kneeboard is a bit longer to accomodate sectional charts.

I have the VFR version of the Jeppesen kneeboard. I cannot imagine why you would not want to go with the longer kneeboard. It has served me quite well and the velcro kneestrap can be used to close it up to a tidy little mass of charts to be stored in the flight bag.

If you decide to avail yourself of these products or any other aviation training materials, I hope you'll keep AviationLogs.com in mind. At AviationLogs.com, we specialize in low cost aviation training materials and free online logbooks.