Aviation Survival by Job: 9 Real Conversations
Below are chats from working pilots or crew and our gear specialist. Each person explains their job and the real conditions they face—night LZs, spray on approach, brownout, long legs over water—and then we build a simple, practical kit around that reality.
Use these conversations as a starting point for your own loadout. Every section links directly to the products in our Pilot Shop and includes on-body essentials, visibility tools, and a quick helmet note to keep the setup small and repeatable.
1) Law Enforcement Helicopter Pilot
Alex (LE pilot): Here is the deal. Nights are busy. We bounce from perimeter searches to quick LZs on county roads. Dust, fences, wires and a crowd that keeps drifting toward the tape. I need ground teams to mark things the same way every time.
Gear Specialist: Put a six puck LED kit in the first-in patrol car. Corners on steady, hazards on flash. That pattern reads the same from 800 feet every time.
Alex: We lose last known in tall grass. People keep kicking the cone.
Gear Specialist: For day, drop a SEE RESCUE Streamer. It stays put in wind. At night, park a strobe right on it.
Alex: What about showing me who is in charge on the ground when it gets crowded.
Gear Specialist: Clip small strobes on the vests of the two supervisors. When I say meet the strobe on the north side, everyone knows.
Alex: We have had a couple panels get noisy. I want a backup that does not rely on ship power.
Gear Specialist: Keep a handheld with a headset adapter. Add a Bivy Stick for text to command if cell service is jammed. It is also handy for quick weather checks from the ramp.
Alex: Personal locator for me if I am down away from the aircraft.
Gear Specialist: Wear an ACR ResQLink 400 on your belt. It is simple and does not depend on a subscription.
Alex: Any comfort or visibility tweaks for the helmet.
Gear Specialist: A comfort liner for long orbits and an amber visor for dust and haze. Keep a clear lens in the bag for dusk.
2) Offshore Oil Rig Helicopter Pilot
Bree (offshore pilot): I run rig shuttles most days. Morning scud, spray on approach, always over water. Vests are handled by the company. What should live on my person for signaling and alerting that is not a hassle.
Gear Specialist: On belt, an ACR ResQLink 400. On the vest, an electronic flare. It is reusable and simple. If your rules allow, carry a Day and Night flare for daytime pop.
Bree: We practice wet exits. Any gear that helps in that short window where belts and belts and orientation get messy.
Gear Specialist: Ask your chief pilot about an emergency breathing option. The goal is simple. Have air while you unclip and find the frame. Practice is still the main thing.
Bree: We sometimes lose cell coverage on the way back. I would like a way to send a quick note.
Gear Specialist: A Bivy Stick handles short texts and basic weather. Preload canned messages so you can send with two taps.
Bree: Storage space is tight.
Gear Specialist: Keep the PLB on your belt. Flare and whistle on the vest. Bivy Stick mounts to a small MOLLE strap or rides in a top pocket with a short cable to your phone.
Bree: Helmet tips for fog and spray.
Gear Specialist: Carry a clear visor in reach and a soft cloth. If you run tinted in, swap to clear as you descend through scud to cut fog and color shift.
3) EMS Pilot
Cal (EMS pilot): Most nights I am landing on rural roads. Wires and spectators are the constant problem. I want a pattern the ground team can build fast without me talking them through every step.
Gear Specialist: Use the LED kit. Four pucks on steady for the box. Two on flash at the hazard, usually the pole line. It is quick to teach and hard to mess up.
Cal: We also need a way to show me who is the point person when I arrive.
Gear Specialist: Clip a strobe to the team lead and one to the safety officer. When you call for the north side contact, you will see the right person move.
Cal: On the personal side, I want something small that matters if I am away from the aircraft for any reason.
Gear Specialist: Wear the PLB 400 and keep a streamer in a vest pocket. Simple, durable, and easy to explain to new crew.
Cal: Ground crews change every shift. Any way to keep the gear from walking.
Gear Specialist: Number the pucks and case slots. Make one person responsible for the return count. Takes ten seconds and saves a kit.
Cal: Helmet comfort on long holds.
Gear Specialist: Add a comfort liner and keep an amber visor for dust and smoke. Swap to clear at dusk.
4) Flight Nurse
Dana (flight nurse): I am focused on the patient. I still want a few on body items in case I get separated in a dark rural pad or a moving crowd. It needs to be light and not get in the way.
Gear Specialist: Clip an electronic flare and whistle to your vest. Wear a PLB 400 on your belt. Fold a small streamer flat in a pocket for day scenes.
Dana: I wear gloves a lot and swap between tasks. I need dexterity.
Gear Specialist: Use Nomex flight gloves sized snug in the fingers. Keep a spare pair in a mesh pocket so they dry between calls.
Dana: Hydration without dragging a bottle.
Gear Specialist: Your mission pack has a hydration sleeve. Route the bite valve where it does not interfere with straps. Small sips beat big chugs during hot turns.
Dana: Anything else that helps at night around crowds.
Gear Specialist: A clip strobe on your shoulder helps the pilot and ground see you move. It also makes patient handoffs easier to track in the dark.
Helmet note: Comfort liner reduces hot spots on long holds. Keep the clear lens handy for hospital pads with bright floodlights.
5) Helicopter Pilot (General)
Marco (tour pilot): I do mountain sightseeing. Winds shift and clouds slide over ridges fast. I carry light. I want a pocket kit that earns its space on every flight.
Gear Specialist: Wear a PLB 400. Pair it with a rescue laser for long range cue and a streamer for day. If trees are common around landing spots, add AirMarker.
Marco: I do not want to brief a lot of new items.
Gear Specialist: Keep it simple. One shelf for the three items in your bag. Same side pocket in your jacket. Practice pulling them out in order with gloves on.
Marco: Glare can be rough near snowfields.
Gear Specialist: Carry an amber visor for contrast and swap to clear as light fades. Keep a soft cloth in a small zip pocket to wipe grit.
Marco: If I had to add one more thing.
Gear Specialist: A compact electronic flare. It helps at dusk when the laser is less effective and the streamer is harder to see.
6) Agricultural Pilot
Riley (ag pilot): Early starts. Wires everywhere. Dust and long passes over canals. I keep the vest simple. What is worth carrying that will not snag or add bulk.
Gear Specialist: On body PLB 400. A rescue laser for distance. A Day and Night flare if local rules allow. A small streamer in the leg pocket.
Riley: Our support truck works near canals and ditches.
Gear Specialist: Add a throw bag to the truck kit. It is fast to deploy from shore. Follow your SOP for what rides in the aircraft.
Riley: I want the kit to be muscle memory.
Gear Specialist: Stage items in the same pockets year round. Do a quick pocket check before first start. Replace anything you used the day before.
Riley: Helmet comfort when it is hot and bumpy.
Gear Specialist: A comfort liner and an amber visor help with vibration and dust. Rotate a skull cap at mid shift if sweat builds up.
7) Line Pilot
Sam (line pilot): I fly commuter legs and end up in remote overnights. On days off I still fly GA. I want a compact personal kit that moves between bags and actually gets used.
Gear Specialist: A Bivy Stick for off grid text and weather. A PLB 400 for hiking or GA. A slim kneeboard for your GA flights.
Sam: I do not want to chase chargers.
Gear Specialist: Keep one USB cable in the Bivy pouch and one at home. Charge after each use and set a monthly calendar reminder for a radio or messenger check.
Sam: Where should the PLB live when I am not hiking.
Gear Specialist: Clip it to the same belt loop on travel days so it is always in the same place. For GA flights put it on your vest or belt, not in a bag.
Sam: Any other small tools worth it.
Gear Specialist: A mini light that clips to your cap and a whistle on your jacket pull. Both weigh almost nothing and are handy more often than you think.
8) Firefighting Pilot
Jordan (fire pilot): Smoke, brownout, short bucket turns and temporary LZs. I need a dust friendly visor and a way for ground to build a clean pattern without a long talk on the radio.
Gear Specialist: Run an amber inner visor. For the scene, LED pucks on steady for the box and flashing on the hazards. Clip strobes on key vehicles and crew.
Jordan: If I end up down in timber I want something that gets me seen from the air fast.
Gear Specialist: Wear a PLB 400 and carry AirMarker. The PLB gets teams moving. The balloon gives them eyes on through canopy.
Jordan: People and gear move all day. How do we keep kits together.
Gear Specialist: Color code pucks and cases by aircraft tail number. End of shift, charge and count six back to six. Make it part of the hotwash.
Jordan: Any helmet comfort tip for long heat days.
Gear Specialist: Comfort liner and a spare skull cap. Swap the cap at lunch and wipe seals. Small things make long afternoons easier.
9) Helicopter Charter Pilot
Taylor (charter pilot): VIP shuttles to private pads I have not seen before. I want a compact kit that covers unknowns without cluttering the cabin or slowing the load.
Gear Specialist: Wear a PLB 400. Clip a ResQFlare Pro inside the vest. Carry a slim kneeboard for alternates and notes.
Taylor: Sometimes the venue has staff but no idea how to build an LZ.
Gear Specialist: If you have a chase vehicle, keep an LED kit in it. One minute of setup and you have a clean box no matter the surface.
Taylor: I do city pads with glass and glare.
Gear Specialist: Amber visor for haze and reflection. Swap to clear as light fades. Keep a cloth in the side pocket and a tiny spray bottle in the bag.
Taylor: I want this to be quick to check before each run.
Gear Specialist: Build a small checklist card. PLB on belt. Flare clipped. Kneeboard loaded. If you run the LED kit, call out the pattern to ground as you taxi out so they remember it for next time.
Add-ons many crews keep nearby
Shop category
Great for boats, bridges and support trucks near water. Follow local SOP for aircraft carriage.
Explore our core guides Be Seen|What to Wear|Stay in Touch|Organize and Operate|Breathe and Buy Time|Pillar: Aviation Gear – Five Core Sections
Breathe & Buy Time: EBS Air, Life Vests & MK-1 Loadouts
Organize & Operate: Pilot Bags, Streamers & Scene Control
Stay in Touch: Headsets, Radios & Kneeboards for Clear Comms
What to Wear: Flight Suits, Gloves, Boots & Jackets That Work
Be Seen: Faster Rescue with PLBs, AirMarker & Night Signals
Aviation Gear - Five Core Sections to Explore
Aviation Survival Pilot Gear Guide
A field-tested overview of the most-used aviation gear on AviationSurvival.com. We’ve grouped everything into simple missions: What to Wear, Be Seen, Stay in Touch, Organize & Operate, and Breathe & Buy Time.
What to wear (flight suits, gloves, boots, jackets, anti-exposure)
FR protection, dexterity, and footwear that won’t quit-built for real cockpit work.
Lightweight, flame-resistant, mil-spec cut with pockets that make sense in tight cabins.
Top Q: What weight Nomex is best for hot climates?
A: 4.5 oz balances heat relief with FR protection; add a thin base layer for chafe control.
Thin FR leather palms with 700 °F resistance and tactile feel for flight controls.
Top Q: Are they touchscreen compatible?
A: Leather fingertips respond on most capacitive screens-ideal for EFB and tablet use.
NAV-approved soles with antistatic tread, available in hot-weather or insulated builds.
Top Q: Steel-toe or soft-toe for GA/rotary?
A: Steel toe meets most agency specs; soft toe saves weight for private or light-duty missions.
Nomex®, leather, and nylon options - from classic MA-1 to modern FR shells.
Top Q: Which jacket balances heat and FR best?
A: Nomex ® is inherently flame-resistant and breathable, ideal for year-round wear in rotor-wing ops.
Immersion-rated suits with integrated seals and mobility for cold-water operations.
Top Q: Do I need one for coastal patrols?
A: Yes - if you fly regularly over open water below 60 °F, it can extend survival time from minutes to hours.
Be seen (visual and satellite signaling)
Cut rescue times by pairing long-range satellite alerts with unmistakable visual signals.
Orange, illuminated marker rises ~45 m on tether; stays visible when radios fail.
Top Q: Can I refill it myself?
A: It ships with cylinders; for another mission you can buy manufacturer refills or return for replacement pricing.
406/121.5 MHz distress with GPS & IR/LED strobes. No monthly fees.
Top Q: Do I need a subscription?
A: No. Register the beacon; plan on battery replacement/re-cert at end of service life or after use.
Programmable pucks in a charge case; mark LZs, perimeters, and traffic lanes.
Top Q: Only for landing zones?
A: Crews also use them for traffic control, training lanes, and event perimeters.
USCG-accepted visual signal; reusable alternative to pyrotechnic flares.
Top Q: Is this legal at night instead of flares?
A: Yes where eVDSD is accepted; always check local/mission regs.
Orange smoke by day, red flare by night for fast visual pickup.
Top Q: Can I fly with this?
A: Check airline/agency hazmat policy; store per pyro guidelines.
Long-range, low-power visual cue; great over water or ravines.
Top Q: Is this the same as a pointer?
A: No-designed for rescue signaling; use responsibly away from cockpits.
Stay in touch (comms & cockpit)
Clear, comfortable comms and simple kneeboard organization reduce workload when it matters.
ANR classics and rugged passive sets tuned for rotary-wing environments.
Top Q: ANR or passive for doors-off?
A: ANR for fatigue reduction; passive if you need maximum durability and simplicity.
Backup comms for ramp, training, SAR, and interop when the panel goes dark.
Top Q: Worth carrying if the panel is solid?
A: Yes-handhelds bridge ground ops, training, and comm failures; keep one charged and paired with a headset adapter.
Strap-in note taking and quick-flip checklists for high-tempo flying.
Top Q: Lighted kneeboards-gimmick or helpful?
A: Helpful at night and in low-light cabins; reduces head-down time and keeps clearances readable.
Organize & operate (bags, streamers, strobes)
Keep the small stuff sorted and your scene control clean.
Modular cubes and pockets for radios, cords, and docs-no more cable spaghetti.
Top Q: Which size fits a full headset + iPad?
A: The B7 “FLIGHT” is the sweet spot; expand with Flex modules as needed.
Unfurls a high-contrast trail; pairs perfectly with PLB or AirMarker.
Top Q: Streamer and flare-overkill?
A: They complement each other: streamer for sustained marking, flares for immediate attention.
High-intensity visual beacons for nighttime rescue and scene marking - including the MS-2000, Firefly PRO, and aviation-grade LED strobes.
Top Q: Which strobe is best for aircrew survival kits?
A: The MS-2000 M remains the standard for pilots and SAR crews, combining waterproof design with NATO-approved visibility.
Breathe & buy time (EBS, CO2, life vests, MK-1)
Over-water risk? Give yourself air, flotation, and a platform for mission tools.
Compact spare-air bottle to egress a submerged cabin; serviced and re-certified in-house.
Top Q: Does it need regular recertification?
A: Yes-plan on inspection/recert at the stated service interval and after any use.
Keep inflators in date for vests and specific rescue systems.
Top Q: Replace after checks or only after use?
A: Replace any spent or out-of-date cartridge; follow the vest’s maintenance schedule.
Purpose-built buoyancy for over-water segments; choose by mission and fit.
Top Q: Auto or manual inflation for GA/rotary?
A: Many pilots prefer manual to avoid accidental inflation in the cabin; confirm agency policy.
Load-bearing platform for radio, PLB, laser, knife-plus integrated inflation.
Top Q: Cover-only vs. complete vest?
A: Cover replaces the shell; complete includes bladder and parts-match to your maintenance plan.
Bottom line
Build your kit around your mission: wear the right layers, be seen fast, stay in touch clearly, organize cleanly, and breathe when it counts. If you’re unsure, call us-we outfit crews every day and can help you choose the smartest loadout.
