Gear May 2016

Garmin's popular iOS and Android app, Garmin Pilot, now can communicate with Garmin's new ADS-B-enabled transponders, bringing a lot of new capability to your tablet, including weather and traffic, as well as backup attitude information. The new version of the app comes with a cool profile view, with wind barbs and other weather data, terrain and obstacles. There's also improved airspace altitude limit labels, to make it easier to know just how high you need to be to overfly that Class D airspace. And the flight-planning utility is greatly enhanced, with a guide to alternate and their current weather conditions automatically enabled for IFR flights. Garmin Pilot starts at $74.99. garmin.com

A perfect example of how air and water can come together, the Oru Coast kayak ($1,975) is designed to conveniently fold up and store while you travel, making it a great companion for those pilots tempted by the currents below. The Coast was created with traditional Arctic kayaks in mind, with an original design allowing for leisurely use, as well as more advanced performance. The Coast features watertight seams, plus two deck straps for bringing along any extra gear you may need on a trip---and conveniently folds up to stow in most light planes. The clever collapsible design also keeps comfort in mind, sporting a foam seat with a fully adjustable backrest and footrest, and a reinforced cockpit to allow for easy entry. orukayak.com

The awesome aviation look is one reason why a lot of plain old people become pilots, and let's face it, the eyewear is a big part of the appeal. For those of us who need an Rx in our fighter jock frames, it's not always so easy. Enter Sports Optical, which can get you a set of frames with your prescription in it, without a lot of hassle, and they get it right. I went through the whole process, and I'm a complicated case, with a progressive lens prescription. The process took a few emails, a quick markup on a pair of clear lens frames, back with a prepaid sender, and the next thing you know, I had a great pair of Randolph Aviators (just like my retired F-4 pilot-instructors wore when I was a kid learning to fly). The Aviators go for $129; there's a range of other aviator eyewear options, as well.---RG sportsoptical.com

The perfect pilot bag, in our opinion, is one that lets you haul around everything you want to and has a pocket for every need, but not so many that you can't keep track of your stuff. The Flight Outfitters Thrust ($79.95) is just that perfect bag, a heavy-duty, Cordura nylon, over-the-shoulder carryall that fits an ANR headset, a laptop (my 15-inch MacBook Pro snuggles in) and a tablet, your keys, glasses, cables and an ADS-B receiver, and a bit more here and there. The new version of the bag is tougher, has a strap that can go over either shoulder, and features slightly deeper pockets.---RG Sportys.com/pilotshop