Why you need kneeboard notepads — and why they run out fast
Every flight, you write on your kneeboard: ATIS information, ATC clearances, squawk codes, frequencies, weather updates, and diversion headings during cross-country flying. A standard half-sheet notepad (5.5" × 8.5") lasts roughly 4–6 flights before it's full. Stock up early — running out of paper on a cross-country is a genuine nuisance.
Our pick — Gisgfim VFR Pilot Kneeboard Notepads (6 Pack)
- 6 pads per pack — enough for many weeks of flying
- VFR-formatted layout helps structure ATIS and clearance copying
- Sized for standard pilot kneeboards including ASA KB-1
- Great value — one pack lasts a typical student pilot through training
- Makes a practical gift for student pilots and CFIs
- Blank white — no pre-printed ATIS or nav log format
- Not pre-printed with checklists or ATC copy sections
The free alternative
Cut standard 8.5" × 11" legal pads in half. Each pad gives you two kneeboard-sized pads for the cost of a legal pad. This works identically to the ASA refill pads at a lower per-sheet cost. The only downside: you have to do the cutting yourself. Keep a stack of pre-cut halves in your flight bag alongside a few pencils.
Use pencils, not pens, in the cockpit. Ballpoint pens skip at altitude due to reduced air pressure and cold temperatures. A standard #2 pencil works reliably at all altitudes and in all temperatures. Keep two in your kneeboard's pencil holder at all times.
Pre-printed ATIS copy sheets
Some pilots prefer pre-printed sheets with dedicated boxes for each ATIS field — wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway, etc. These ensure you don't miss a field when copying ATIS quickly. You can find free printable ATIS copy sheets online, or create your own in a word processor and print them on half-sheets.
