All experienced small airplane pilots know how important a headset is when flying. The reason why is because headsets protect your hearing and that is something worth protecting. There are quite a few different brands of headsets on the market and choosing the right one is important. Lots of small airplane pilots use a David Clark headset or a Telex headset. However the Avcomm headset is gaining in popularity as well. The one you choose should be based on recommendations of other pilots as well as your own preferences. For example, you may find the Avcomm headsets more comfortable than the David Clark headsets while another small plane pilot may have the opposite experience. Comfort is very important because if the headset is not comfortable you are more likely to take it off and risk damaging your hearing. The next important aspect of a headset is the features offered. Some pilots only want and need the most basic features. However, others will want all the bells and whistles so to speak and choose a headset that offers every possible feature on the market. You must evaluate what you need versus what you want especially if your budget impacts what headset you buy. If you can possibly borrow another pilot's headset for a short flight to see how you like it then that is always a great idea.

The next thing every pilot needs is a GPS. When you are flying you want to know where you are going and where not to go and a GPS is very helpful. Two of the best options when it comes to GPS are the Garmin 496 GPS and the Garmin 396 GPS. These two models are made by the same company and while they are very similar the 496 model offers just a little bit more in the way of features and also costs a little more. Both do a wonderful job telling you where you are and helping you reach your final destination. So, when it comes to choosing between the two you must decide how important the extra features of the 496 are to you as well as if they are worth the extra money. If so then you should purchase the Garmin 496 but if they aren't then the Garmin 396 is a better model for you. Most people have to make the decision based on their budget and if this is the case for you then you will find the 396 model to be worth every penny even though it doesn't offer all the features of the 496 model.

There are certainly other accessories a small plane pilot will want and need for his plane, but the two most important ones are the headset and GPS. Once these are purchased you can focus on purchasing the other accessories that interest you.