Student Pilot Gear Checklist: What You Actually Need

Day one

• Logbook (paper or a digital logbook app plus paper backup your instructor is fine with)
• Headset (borrowed is fine at first; see headset guide)
• Sunglasses
• Notepad or kneeboard + pen

Within the first few weeks

• Kneeboard
• Flight bag
• Written test prep / ground school course
• FAA handbooks (free PDFs from the FAA: Airplane Flying Handbook, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge)

Before cross-countries

• Sectional chart(s) and/or an EFB app (ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot and others)
• Plotter and E6B (or an E6B app and the skill to use a manual one for the written test)
• Flashlight with a red mode for night flights

Skip (for now)

• Expensive pilot watches
• Premium headset before you know what you like
• Gadgets your instructor doesn't use