Photography by Chris Rose and David Tulis
AOPA Pilot Gear Freedom Flyin’ Tee. $28
pilotgear.aopa.org
David’s pro tip: Organize your emergency gear, know how to operate it, and have it on your person if you can. I clip my Spot 4 emergency satellite tracker to a belt loop and stash it in a side pocket of my zip-off cargo pants. My flight backpack is within arm’s reach and holds the water straw filter, space blanket, a multitool, a Ferro fire starter tool, and a couple of Powerbars. A filled water bottle is stowed in a side pocket.
- Solar accessory charger with built-in cables
One of my favorite emergency items is a solar-powered battery pack with built-in cords that charge several devices from cellphones to handheld communication radios. This little brick is also useful in the cockpit for powering iPads and portable ADS-B receivers. $48.99 and up - Spot Gen4 satellite GPS messenger
A satellite GPS messenger can track your movements, superimpose it on maps, send “I’m OK” messages to family or friends when you arrive at a destination, or ping a satellite network with an SOS during an emergency. Basic tracking is included. Monthly service charges range from $2.50 to $5, depending on features. $149.99
findmespot.com
Also consider: Garmin InReach (garmin.com) - LifeStraw water filter
I’ve seen enough Survivorman and other wilderness survival programs on television to learn how important it is to find drinkable water—and how often pools of water can carry germs and other pathogens. I’ve already stashed a LifeStraw water filter in my pilot backpack. $19.95–$49.95
lifestraw.com - PJ2 handheld radio
This handheld communication radio is all a pilot could want in an easy-to-use two-way radio, with none of the fluff. Headsets plug directly into the unit’s top panel, a backlit keypad allows night operation, and the display shows large numbers to confirm frequencies. A “last” button allows flip-flopping from ground to tower. Internal batteries and a port for an external USB power device increase versatility. $229
sportys.com - Garmin D2 Air X10 aviator watch
In an emergency, this handy wristwatch will navigate you directly to an airfield. It also displays airport and runway information and aviation weather, and automatically logs flights. The smart watch functions as a health tracker for pulse and oxygen levels and alerts you to messages and emails. The downside is the more functions you deploy, the more you’ll need to keep an eye on the battery level. $549.99
garmin.com
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David Tulis
Senior Photographer
Senior Photographer David Tulis joined AOPA in 2015 and is a private pilot with single-engine land and sea ratings and a tailwheel endorsement. He is also a certificated remote pilot and co-host of the award-wining AOPA Hangar Talk podcast. David enjoys vintage aircraft and photography.
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