Survival Gear

Pilot Survival Gear — Emergency Preparedness for Aviators

New Zealand's diverse and often remote flying environment means that pilots should always be prepared for an unplanned landing away from help. Mountain ranges, bush, coastline, and open water present real survival challenges if things go wrong. The right gear, carried every flight, gives you the best possible chance of a safe outcome in an emergency.

Locator Beacons

A personal locator beacon (PLB) is the cornerstone of any pilot survival kit. Registered with the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre, a PLB transmits your GPS position to international search and rescue satellites within minutes of activation — dramatically reducing the time it takes for rescuers to find you. Compact, lightweight, and maintenance-free between battery replacements, a PLB is non-negotiable equipment for pilots flying outside of controlled airspace.

Survival Kits

A pre-packed survival kit takes the guesswork out of emergency preparation. Purpose-built aviation survival kits include the essentials for shelter, signalling, fire starting, water treatment, and first aid in a compact, portable format. S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer kits are designed and tested for real survival scenarios and are widely trusted by pilots, trampers, and outdoor professionals.

Fire Starting, Signalling, and Paracord

Individual survival components allow you to customise or supplement your kit. A reliable fire starter provides warmth, a means of cooking, and a signalling tool in one. Signal mirrors, whistles, and bright-coloured panels increase your visibility to search aircraft. Paracord is one of the most versatile items in any survival kit — useful for shelter construction, securing equipment, and improvised repairs.

Survival Books and Reference

Knowledge is your most durable survival tool. Survival reference books cover the skills and decision-making frameworks that help you stay calm, stay found, and stay alive in an emergency. A compact survival guide in your kit costs nothing in normal conditions and could prove invaluable when it matters most.

Pilot Shop is New Zealand's specialist source for pilot survival gear. Build a kit that matches the environments you fly over — and carry it every flight.