Pilot
kneeboards are a vital piece of equipment on every flight and a very
worthwhile investment for many reasons.
It primarily lets pilots keep their paperwork in one place and stay
organized in the cockpit during flight.
It is not only hard but also unwise to flip through your flight bag to
grab what is needed when flying! From a
safety standpoint alone, this is a worthwhile are very reasonably priced
investment. A kneeboard is a handy tool
that holds charts, pens, flashlights, flight computers, maps and more in place
and on your knee. They are designed to
strap onto the leg to provide a hard surface to record relevant information and
communications during flight.
There are a few distinct styles on the market so
choosing one is basically a matter of personal preference and need.
Simple kneeboards are available for both VFR and
IFR pilots and are made of brushed aluminum with a clip on top. They have rules and regulations silk screened
on the boards themselves. With a Velcro
strap, these boards comfortably rest on the knee with a wide elastic band. They are flat and the metal clip at the top
holds charts, maps or paper in place.
If you’re looking to hold more gear, the trifold
kneeboard is a good choice. They come
in standard or long length and allow for more organization since the sides fold
out and provide pockets on either side of the center clipboard. Like
a mini briefcase, the three panel jacket allows for plenty of room for charts
and more.
There are a couple of Military kneeboards on the
market designed by Hendricks and Flyboys.
Both are extremely versatile and well designed. Hendricks
trifolds have padded backing so it straps comfortably to your knee. For fighter pilots, the 9G Plus features a
negative G strap. Flyboys
kneeboards work well for general aviation and military pilots alike and
feature 7 eyelets that secure checklists or flight guides. These are sized to work with every military
bases spacing. This kneeboard can be
personalized as it can be embroidered with your name in any color and
style. This is a great feature and makes
for a great pilot gift.
More recently, the iPad kneeboard
cases have become more popular. They
are designed for use in and out of the cockpit.
Made of durable Ballistic Nylon, the hard cover folds over to protect the
screen. The leg strap is adjustable and
can even be used to strap to a car headrest or fitness machine for video
viewing.
Looking for something small and simple? Pilot chart leg
straps don’t have a clipboard but instead are basically a Velcro strap. It is a simple tool that keeps your NOS book
or chart firmly strapped to your leg with a clear plastic strap over the top of
your materials so you can still clearly read them.
It’s clear to see why a kneeboard is an essential
item that keeps pilots safe, organized and focused in the cockpit.
