Basically what the title says. One of my characters has a fly speed but takes a penalty to his checks due to bad maneuverability. I want to get a better one if that's possible. Is there a feat or item that can do this?
It is much easier to just add bonuses to fly skill, skill focus being the obvious feat. There is also the Hover feat, if hover checks are you specific concern.
A cloak made of Griffon Mane (special material) will also get you a +2 bonus.
Get a wand of, or continuous magic item with, this spell:
Strong Wings
School transmutation; Level bloodrager 1, druid 1, ranger 1, sorcerer/wizard 1, witch 1
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
EFFECT
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 1 minute/level
Saving Throw Fort negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
DESCRIPTION
The target’s wings grow more powerful, causing its fly speed to increase by +10 feet and its maneuverability to improve by one category (to a maximum of good). This increase counts as an enhancement bonus. This spell has no effect on wingless creatures or winged creatures that cannot fly.
That could be helpful. I'd have to get a continuous item since I'd be constantly UMDing a wand.
There's a 3rd-party feat from John Brazer Enterprises called Improved Flight that improves your maneuverability by one step. The feat can be taken multiple times to further increase your maneuverability.
It is 3rd-party, but it is far from broken or overpowered... a reasonable GM may allow it. You're spending a feat... the price is being paid... I would allow it.
I can ask. Worst thing he can do is say no.
You really only need to get to a point where you can reliably hit DC10 and DC15 Fly checks, unless you're trying to Fly around in combat or in high winds. And that can be done with putting skill ranks in Fly, Skill Focus (Fly) +3/+6, Acrobatics +2/+4, boosting Dex, and/or reducing your size to Small, Tiny, Diminutive, or Fine for a +2, +4, +6, or +8 bonus. You can also ask your GM if you can spend 2,500 - 7,500gp + a nice tip to your friendly neighborhood Wizard's Guild to cast Permanency on a Strong Wings or Fly spell. <--- the only downside to this route is that it can be dispelled.
If you're trying to Fly in combat, then you're going to want to put your Fly Skill high enough to reliably hit DC20 and DC25 Fly checks because you'll be making complex turns and maneuvers, possibly colliding with enemies or other flying objects, and possibly even flying in powerful wind spells/effects. Wings of Flying are 54,000gp and they increase your maneuverability to Average, or Boots of Flying are 16,000gp and can increase your maneuverability to Good 3 times per day for up to 5 mins a piece, so either of these options would be good for boosting your Fly in combat. If you're trying to fly over long distances and simply fly around in general, you might look into getting a Flying Carpet for 20,000gp.
There might be some Monster Feats you could qualify for as well. What race/class/level are you and do you play with the Fly Unchained rules? How did you get your ability to Fly and is it Clumsy -8 or Poor -4?
Also, what's your goal with this? Are you trying to Fly in combat? Fly over long distances? Simply flying around in general? All of the above?
If I know more about your character I can make better recommendations.
I am a homebrew race with a natural fly speed. The closest Paizo race would be the wyvaran. I'm a magus with a level of swash, maneuverability is Poor, total level is currently 5, and I'm flying in combat. Specifically I'm looking at the feat Aerial Roll.
Since you're flying in combat, you could probably go with the Winged Boots for 16,000gp. It will boost your maneuverability to Good and Fly speed to 60ft/round for 5 minutes 3/day, and you get a bonus +4 to your Fly checks. Other than that, I'd just keep Fly skill maxed until you can hit DC25's 100% of the time. Until then, since you're a Magus, you should probably just keep Featherfall memorized in the event you fail a Collision check. Failing a Fly check can ruin your day real fast, so having an Immediate Action Featherfall can save your life.