Coolest Gadgets for Pilots in 2020

Coolest Gadgets: Pilots are known for their fondness for electronics, particularly those that enhance the flight experience. We’ve collected together some of the greatest products now available for pilots to make gift-giving simple. These high-tech devices can help your favourite pilot enhance their aircraft or improve their communication skills, whether you want to assist them upgrade their aircraft or increase their communication capabilities.

Coolest Gadgets: uAvionix ADS-B 

uAvionix ADS B
uAvionix ADS B

On January 1st, 2020, the FAA’s ADS-B rules come into effect, making a working ADS-B out device necessary in designated ADS-B airspace. If you know a pilot who still has to update his aircraft to fly in this space, adding the uAvionix ADS-B Out tailBeacon or SkyBeacon is one of the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective methods to do it. The only difference between the devices is where they are installed on the aeroplane. Of course, the tailBeacon is mounted on the tail, while the SkyBeacon is mounted on the wingtip. The benefit of these gadgets is that they are simple to install because they just replace existing navigation lights.

Garmin aera 760

Garmin aera 760 1
Garmin aera 760 1

The sturdy design of the Garmin aera 760 GPS was created with cockpit usage in mind. Its 7-inch screen is ideal for a dedicated portable GPS, and the brilliant touchscreen display can be seen in direct sunlight. View your charts, as well as instrument approach processes and overlays on approach charts. The aera 760 is powered by a USB-C connection and may last for up to four hours. You may transfer user waypoints across devices and load topographical and street maps via a microSD card slot.

 Coolest Gadgets: Garmin inReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator

Garmin inReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator
Garmin inReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator

With an inReach Mini, you can stay in contact no matter where you go. This little satellite gadget allows you to monitor and share your travels in addition to sending and receiving text messages. If required, you can use the SOS function to notify a 24-hour emergency response team of your need for assistance. The mini’s compact, palm-sized size makes it convenient to take both in flight and on the ground for activities such as hiking or wilderness camping.

Coolest Gadgets: Yaesu Handheld Radio

Yaesu Handheld Radio
Yaesu Handheld Radio

It’s critical to have a portable radio as a backup to your aircraft’s built-in radio, and Yaesu offers numerous high-quality options. The Yaesu FTA-450L is a communications-only radio that provides the essentials at a reasonable price. Up to 200 channels, including those in the 8.33 kHz narrow band, can be pre-programmed.

The FTA-550 is available in two variants for pilots searching for a nav/com combine. A Li-Ion battery or a less expensive AA battery are both available for this model. VOR navigation, ILS localizer navigation, and NOAA weather channels and alerts are all available on both models, which include a 1.7″ x 1.7″ complete dot matrix LCD screen.

The FTA-750L is Yaesu’s top-of-the-line handheld. The screen, COM/NAV capabilities, NOAA channels, VOR, and ILS operations are all the same as the FTA-550. The FTA-750L now has a 66-channel GPS WAAS receiver, making it a true all-in-one communication and navigation system.

 Dual Portable GPS

Dual Portable GPS
Dual Portable GPS

A Dual XGPS190 device will send all of your current weather and traffic information to you. This gadget works with a wide range of EFB apps on Android, Apple, and Windows tablets. The XGPS190 may connect to two devices at once, allowing both the pilot and the copilot to operate at the same time. You may take your XGPS190 with you for ground-based activities like golfing and land navigation because of its modest size and mobility. You may use it for five hours on a single charge before it has to be recharged.

 Bose A20 Aviation Headset

Bose A20 Aviation Headset
Bose A20 Aviation Headset

The Bose A20 aviation headset is the best option for pilots looking for the best in comfort and clarity. The flex-boom noise cancelling electret mic, as well as electric noise cancellation (ENC), keep ambient cockpit noise from interfering with sound quality. Long-lasting wearability and comfort are provided by ultra-plush head cushions and a headband with 1/3 less clamping force than the industry norm.

Depending on your aircraft and desire for battery power or aircraft power arrangements, Bose provides a variety of layouts and connector options. The A20 is also available with or without Bluetooth, depending on your needs and intended use. Customize your audio reception choices for music, phone, and intercom with the Priority Switching function.

 ASA CX-3 Flight Computer

ASA CX 3 Flight Computer
ASA CX 3 Flight Computer

A good flight computer simplifies the computations required for flight planning. Both the FAA and the Canadian government have approved the CX-3 for use on knowledge examinations. It has backlighting, scrolling speed, day and night themes, and time zone settings, as well as calculator, clock, timer, and stopwatch features. Calculate weight and balance, as well as time, speed, heading, distance, altitude, wind, and fuel, using your CX-3. The keypad buttons will light up and the screen will darken for ease of use while using the twilight or night themes. Another useful feature is the Favorite feature, which allows you to save your most frequently used features as well as build and save an aeroplane.

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