Moe96

I need some advice and recommendations for flashlights. What flashlight do you use? How many lumens should I be looking at if I want something that can also eventually be used with the airlines?

I want a good flashlight, but I don’t want to overkill it and spend extra on specs I don’t need for obvious reasons. I’m trying to find a decent sized flashlight with the ability to use white/red light, preferably takes AA, and can be used throughout my entire career.

usmc-sgt

After a few years on the line you’ll realize there is almost zero less important than the flashlight in your bag. Go on amazon and buy any light that is roughly the size of a magic marker. Make sure it has batteries that are readily available and are cheap, even internal with usb mini rechargeable option is fine. If it’s dead before you go on a walk around, grab the other pilots or borrow the planes for a lap around the jet. I personally wouldn’t invest more than $19.95 on one and you’ll still have it for 10 plus years. I’m still new(er) to the industry but never once has my flashlight ever come into question.

Amazon is so handy these days just sort by ratings and find the one that has 4000 ratings of 4 stars or better...that one is likely fine. Don’t worry about the red light. Not once have I ever seen someone read a chart (what’s a chart?) and use a red light to preserve their night vision.

rickair7777

A very powerful halogen or LED flashlight is useful for walk-arounds at night. Small ones work fine, as long as they are powerful.

A phone or cheap flashlight may not illuminate parts of the A/C which are high up. Particularly important on probation, miss a late-night birdstrike, outbound AM flight cancels, and then you might get cancelled.

TiredSoul

I’ve got a 1100 lumen USB rechargeable the size of a magic marker. Reaches top of the tail no problems.
Paid $30

JohnBurke

A flashlight is pretty damn important, and if you're preflighting in Europe without one, you'll get a visit from the EASA inspectors and a write-up. Useful for looking in gear wells where people like to hide (in some parts of the world) and where some like to stow dangerous items, for looking anywhere thet needs extra light (like turbine blades or inside the reverser translating structure, at the blocker doors, etc).

I like Surefire products; they make very compact flashlights which put out up to 800 lumen and have a mode that operates at 15 lumen, for better battery life.

I use several flashlights, for different purposes, and have a small light on the lanyard with my ID. I use flashlights constantly, probably one of the most used items I carry with me. Whether it's checking behind the dresser in the hotel room or trying to locate something that slipped out of the flight bag in the cockpit, the light is constantly in use.

tomgoodman

When I was a 727 S/O, the flashlight of choice was a MagLite with 3 d-cell batteries. Halogens and LEDs hadn’t been invented yet, and we didn’t know a lumen from a rumen, but that heavy battle mace was our symbol of office.

Gordie H

I'd recommend the Fenix line of flashlights. They're not cheap, but well built, light weight, etc. I got mine at REI.

ItnStln

I have one and it’s a great light.

rickair7777

Yes, surefire is good, been using those since before they caught on in aviation.

ItnStln

I’ve been using Surefire for years. They make quality products.