Equipment you will need or might want




 * Flight pub bag - You will definitely want a bag to carry your pubs to the aircraft. Wings has some nice bags.  However, there is a gentleman in Meridian who makes the perfect size bag that will take you all the way to the fleet.  You can see his work at stoweitbags.com.  He will make you a quality, fully customized bag for 35 dollars.  This is the same bag that practically every pilot going through jet school at Meridian buys (it's optimized to fit the T-45 map case) and would be a useful pubs bag in other CNATRA aircraft as well.




 * Kneeboards - Many students prefer to have a fabric based regular or trifold kneeboard instead of the issued monster. You can pick these up at Wings on Barrancas Ave.  It is the building with the mini T-6 on the roof.  Check their website as the hours are a bit odd.  They have some other things that might help you as well (i.e. extra plastic sleeves for blue brains, finger lights, approach plate leg straps).  It is worth stopping by while you are down there for API.




 * CAUTION - Although Wings does have just about everything you might want, they also have no problem taking your money. Before you go crazy and buy everything in the store, I would recommend you try using the stuff the navy issues. You can get extra sleeves for your blue brains at book issue (for free, instead of $0.49 each at Wings). You can also get a leg strap for your approach plates at the Exchange on base for less than Wings charges. I personnaly bought a 9-G kneeboard at Wings which is a little more comfortable than the issued one, but the issued kneeboard worked just fine for me for four months and would have continued to do so. In conclusion, Wings is a nice place to get acessories, but don't feel obligated to spend your money there.