FAQ: What kind of stuff (like kneeboards and such) should I plan to buy for UPT?

Great question! There are a lot of things involved in UPT that will cost you money, so it's certainly a good idea to be able to plan ahead a little bit. Between buying patches, kegs for track select and assignment night, shadow boxes, banquets, etc. it can get expensive. Here are a few suggestions of other things you may find useful to have. These are just my personal recommendations, and there are several options out there. Other stores may carry similar products at different prices; some of these products are also available at your local Exchange (formerly known as "BX"). If you get a group order with other friends, you can sometimes get a price break too!

Kneeboard from Flyboys ($33.95) will be very useful for holding mission data cards, approach books, etc.

Clipboard from Flyboys ($7.50) is a little cheaper alternative to a full kneeboard. In T-6s, you'll have a G-suit with a strap on it that some students will use to hold clipboards like this in place. Or have a kneeboard on one leg and a clipboard on the other.

Pen Holder from Flyboys ($3.99) will most likely be available from the Life Support guys in your T-6 squadron, but things like this can be very handy when you're balancing flying and writing down assigned altitudes or other airborne clearances.

Checklist pages from Flyboys ($13.75) some guys will use these to put their approach plates in or for some pages in their In Flight Guide (IFG). Personally, I don't use these, but a lot of guys do.

Crew Bag from Flyboys ($90.95) is the bread a butter bag for most T-1 students. It has enough room for the Dash-1 along with several other notebooks with several smaller pockets to hold your kneeboard, pens, water bottles, etc. (Some students do just go with a big black backpack instead...)

Noral Leg Strap (~$10) is one of my favorite additions I didn't start using until T-1s. It's way easier than having a second kneeboard, and the clear strap is nice because it doesn't obstruct your view from any important lines on the plate.

Pilot's Log Book ($29.95) is very handy for recording all your flights and hours. Keep good records... you never know when you might want them!

Sunglasses- (T-1 guys) find a pair of sunglasses that will comfortably fit under the ear muffs of the David Clark headset you'll be issued. You want thinner ones near your ears when you're wearing those things for several hours!

Those who are in UPT or done with UPT, comment below with any other ideas!! Keep the questions coming!