Best Aviation Survival Kits for Private Pilots

The best aviation survival kits make all the difference in those situations that pilots want to avoid.

These kits have what aviators need the most in one of these scenarios, as much as everyone wants to avoid such a situation.

As vital as survival kits are, different options are available to suit pilot needs. I’ve reviewed an excellent selection that includes premium kits meeting military standards to pocket-size kits.

Types of aviation survival kits

• Handheld survival kits – These kits fit in a small bag or pouch featuring a compass, waterproof matches, and flashlights.
• Wilderness survival kits – These types of survival kits contain more gear for outdoor survival situations, including fire-starters, shelter equipment, and life vests.
• Military survival kits – These types of survival kits feature tools like knives commonly used by Army Rangers.
• Single-person survival kits – These kits contain sufficient survival gear for one person, usually covering 72 hours.

Best Aviation Survival Kits for Private Pilots

My top picks for the best aviation survival kits include:

• a survival kit you can hold in your pocket, Best Glide ASE Pocket Survival Kit
• a survival kit with 17 essential outdoor survival items, the Verifygear 17 in 1 Survival Kit
• a kit that contains the items most recommended by the military, the Best Glide ASE Wilderness Survival Kit
• the best single-person survival kit that I reviewed, the Blue Seventy-Two Emergency Backpack Survival Kit

Best Glide ASE Pocket Survival Kit

One of the things that appealed to me about the Best Glide ASE Pocket Survival Kit was its Boy Scouts of America licensing. This credential shows how effective the kit is as a basic survival tool adaptable for any situation.

The water and weather-resistant container endures all of the worst demands. I found the rubber and vinyl seals superior to the closures on many other, more expensive kits.

U.S.-based assembly was another feature that made a positive impression on me. Many of the items in the kit are U.S. military and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-approved.

Some of the helpful components include:

• A compass
• All-weather matches
• A razor knife
• A signal mirror
• Fire starters

Verifygear 17 in 1 Survival Kit

The Verifygear 17 in 1 Survival Kit has one of the best selections of essentials among the kits I reviewed. Some of these items include:

• A compass
• A flashlight
• Knives
• A fire starter
• A first aid kit

I enjoyed the tactical-grade quality used for these items. Knowing that the kit’s components will continue to last is always a relief because I know I won’t have to replace everything all at once.

One of the things that stood out for me the most was the kit’s overall versatility. I could easily use the kit for camping and other activities besides flying.

Best Glide ASE Wilderness Survival Kit

I found the Best Glide ASE Wilderness Survival Kit the best among the kits I reviewed for military-recommended items. The water-repellent material, self-healing zippers, and D-rings for optional shoulder straps made this kit an even better choice.

The included food and water were some of the features I felt made this kit stand out, as well as items to help with food-gathering. Other important items include necessary tools for signaling and shelter.

Blue Seventy-Two Emergency Backpack Survival Kit

As a pilot who often flies solo, I found the Blue Seventy-Two Emergency Backpack Survival Kit most useful. As most survival kits are designed for multiple people, I was in search of something suitable for solo flying trips and was pleased to find this option.

Food bars for five days and drinking water pouches were a couple of the most helpful features. I also found the rain poncho, blanket, and battery-free crank flashlight among the most useful features.

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