Pilot Gear

Pegasus tack is engineered to be as light as possible, yet sturdy enough to comfortably sit a pilot between and slightly behind the wing joint. Often constructed out of wood, with leather or cotton straps, these saddles have as little metal rigging on them as possible, both to minimize weight and avoid possible injury to the pegasus due to catching or rubbing. Some saddles have a molded seat, with a low, steep cantle. This helps the pilot stay onboard when the peg begins to accelerate quickly - as when taking off. Others have no seat, but are rather more like a harness with heel slings rigged to the surcingle. These are used for short trips where speed is of the essence - many racing pilots tend to prefer this design - and on shortwing pegs that are generally used for ploughing and hauling, rather than in flight. Pilots will usually wear specialized boots, allowing them to mount, fly, and ride a peg by supporting the majority of their weight in the heel straps, rather than sitting on the saddle. These boots often feature a slightly longer heel cap, reinforced with seasoned hardwood or metal. The logic here is that it's much easier to repair or replace a heel strap than it would be to get new boots.

As the legs of a pilot do not hang down beside the barrel, a majority of the peg's directions come in the form of vocal commands and shifting weight forward, back, left, or right. As a general rule, pegs do not tolerate a bit or bridle, for the simple reason that it's very uncomfortable to hold a metal bar with one's beak. This being the case, reins are rarely used on pegs at all, though there can be some benefit to using them when riding a land-bound shortwing.

To reduce the amount of weight a peg has to carry, particularly on flights that require stamina, pilots do not usually carry camp gear with them. Instead, they rely on permant or semi-permanent campsites, taverns, inns, bunkhouses, and occasionally the hospitality of a homesteader. For this reason, pilots will often travel along what they call "flight paths," or "aerial trails" with known and reputable campsites or inns. These routes, particularly those near to their home island, are memorized by pilots for easy navigation. The same holds true for herding corridors and drive trails.

Pilots will often have a small gear pack strapped to the back of the saddle over the pegasi’s haunches. Gear usually includes:


 * A length of sturdy rope
 * Money string
 * Small hoof pick/multitool
 * Fire starter kit
 * Water canteen
 * Small amount of travel food

They may also carry larger items or weapons depending on their trade/faction. The limit to what they can carry with them is the strength (and tolerance) of their peg.