Why every student pilot needs foggles
FAR 61.109 requires a minimum of 3 hours of instrument flight training before you can take your private pilot checkride. During those hours — and likely many more — you'll fly under a view-limiting device (commonly called foggles) while your CFI acts as safety pilot. Foggles block your outside view while leaving the instrument panel visible, forcing you to fly by reference to instruments only.
This training is not optional and not incidental. It's the most important safety training in your entire PPL curriculum. Pilots who have practiced instrument flying are significantly more likely to survive an inadvertent IMC encounter. The foggles are how you practice.
Buy these before your instrument lessons begin. Your CFI should not have to provide them for every student. Own your own pair — you'll use them for every hood session through your instrument rating.
Our pick — Sporty's Foggles
- Designed to sit over eyeglasses or be worn alone
- Blocks outside reference while leaving the instrument panel fully visible
- Lightweight — no fatigue on long instrument sessions
- Durable plastic construction that survives years of use
- Industry standard — your CFI will be familiar with them
- Inexpensive — no reason to compromise on this item
- Not currently available on Amazon — order direct from Sporty's
- Can fog up on humid days during long sessions
Also worth considering
- Slightly more secure fit than Sporty's version for some pilots
- Works over eyeglasses
- Trusted aviation brand
- Same price range — easy decision
- Same functional limitations as all foggles
- No meaningful performance difference from Sporty's
Can I use a hood instead?
Some CFIs use a cloth "hood" that drapes over the student's head rather than foggles. These are less common today but still used. Foggles are generally preferred because they're lighter, don't interfere with headset positioning, and don't overheat. If your school uses a hood system, ask your CFI before buying — though foggles are useful to own regardless.
Quick comparison
| Device | Fit over glasses | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporty's Foggles | ✓ | Very light | Most student pilots |
| Jeppesen Foggles | ✓ | Very light | Different fit preference |
| Cloth hood | ✓ | Light | School-provided only |