Flight bag for laptop & headset advice.

[darrenphughes]

So I'm looking for a flight bag to carry around between helicopters and the car during the day. I need to carry my 13" laptop, headset, flashlight, kneeboard and a few other little bits and pieces.

I went over a few old threads on this subject but still haven't found anything that works really well for the 13"laptop.

This thread (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/367869-helmet-flight-bag-advice.html) is a good one but it was centered around fitting the helmet in there, which I don't need.

This bag (http://www.firecache.com/prodinfo.asp?number=60.9360) is the closest i've found to what I'm looking for, but I think the headset might get smushed in there.

Have you guys found anything along these lines that you liked?

[Pandalet]

I use a standard laptop backpack, which has a padded slide-in pocket for the laptop and a separate pocket into which I pack my flight gear (headset, licenses, charts, whizz-wheel, GPS, stationary). The headset (Lightspeed Zulu) folds into its own rigid case, though, which really helps; I'm not sure this would work with a standard DC or Bose.

My bag is similar to this: 15" JEEP LAPTOP DELL SONY HP BACKPACK/RUCKSACK BAG NEW on eBay (end time 30-Mar-10 21:08:03 BST) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15-JEEP-LAPTOP-DELL-SONY-HP-BACKPACK-RUCKSACK-BAG-NEW_W0QQitemZ140394229991QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportingGoods _BackpacksRucksacks_Bags_EH?hash=item20b025f0e7)
but somewhat smaller. My laptop is a 15", so it's easier to find stuff that fits.

[Flyting]

It Depends.... DO you wanna look like a plank pilot or not???
Like Pandalet, I have a laptop back pack which is padded and has more than enough space for all the gadgets. I have a slightly smalled laptop and bag and my David Clarke fit no problem...and no-one mistakes me for that other kind...:}

[darrenphughes]

To tell you the truth, I don't care what Category of pilot I look like. I just want something that does the job. I was thinking a satchel type bag would be handy, but probably wouldn't have much padding for the laptop and wouldn't have a handy padded spot for a Bose headset.

[Hedge36]

Assuming a 13" Macbook, get the close-fitting neoprene sleeve ($20) and toss it (gently) into whatever well-padded backpack makes your nipples stand up.

My Macbook has well over 60,000 hard miles floating around on the back of my motorcycle using such an arrangement and is none the worse for wear as a result.

[Hedge36]

As for nipple-hardening backpacks, I have a Kriega R35 (Kriega R35 Backpack - Superbikestore.Net (http://www.shop.superbikestore.net/Kriega-R35-Backpack-KR-U35.htm)) which holds more than I should carry. Headseat, gloves, manuals and a 13" laptop? No problem.

And it's waterproof. Woohoo.

[Ludolf]

Why don't you just a normal backpack? I'm using a black 35L North Face backpack with a separate room for my laptop. It's got enough room for a headset, charts, newspaper, water bottle and whatever you want to carry.
You can always decorate your backpack with "Yes, I'm a pilot" stickers afterwards;)

[Don Coyote]

Swiss gear Synergy (http://www.swissgear.eu/ecproduct_detail.asp?ID=3226&CatID=&sCatID=1146685&ssCatID=1146817) works well for me.

Protects laptop, loads of pockets to organise stuff and big central pocket for headset.

[darrenphughes]

Hmm, so it looks like the consensus is a decent backpack. I guess that's the way my hard nipples and I are gonna roll then. Shaaweet! Thanks for the input.

[Hedge36]

Don't forget the sleeve for the laptop :ok:

[Fly_For_Fun]

I use a lowepro Compudaypack. It is designed for a laptop (upto 17") and a camera with extra storage (headset sarnies and bottle of pop). Here is a link. :ok:

Lowepro - CompuDaypack (http://products.lowepro.com/product/CompuDaypack,1922,16.htm)

[s1lverback]

I use a Swissgear bacpac when carrying my laptop (with separate laptop sleeve)..there are plenty of variants (brands) and choice

Otherwise, I use a trip bag - the bigger one.
ASA AVIATOR FLIGHT BAGS from Aircraft Spruce (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/asa_bags.php)

I fly both fling and fixed wing and the ASA bag does for both really,(though I have to carry more headsets for fixed wing flying).

Actually, for some trips, I carry 3...I for the usual, one for headsets (5) plus collision avoidance and one for lifevests

..oh and one for clothes.

The bigger the bag the more crap you'll take. Down to choice and purpose rather than looks IMHO.

Bacpac probably best for dayflyer if you have to take laptop.

[Gomer Pylot]

I have a 9" netbook, which works very well for me. 13" is too big and heavy, IMO, but YMMV. I have an Allen shooting bag which holds everything I need, and it's padded and has lots of outside pockets for holding miscellaneous stuff I need quick access to. Cheap at lots of places, including WalMart if you're of that persuasion.

[Hedge36]

I'd kill to pack a netbook, but my damn hands are too big for the keyboards.

[John Eacott]

It all depends on the aircraft that you're flying, but remember that a lot of cockpits don't have room for too big a bag to be stowed anyway: and the baggage compartments aren't always empty, either!

I wish that I'd kept the old RN pilot's nav bag, but if I'm not toting a helmet bag then I tend toward an old backpack which can be scrunched up and stuffed in a small corner. After the contents have been carefully distributed around the available space before take off ;)

ps since the type of notebook has become part of the topic, an MB Air with tethering through the iPhone has to be the Bee's Knees these days: and saves a fortune on hotel internet costs :ok:

[Gomer Pylot]

I have relatively large hands also, but it only took me a couple of days of practice to get used to the smaller keyboard. Now I have trouble typing on full-sized keyboards, because I have to move my fingers so far. Like hovering, it's just a matter of muscle memory, but easier to learn.

[seasonnie]

The handbag you mentioned is simple, honestly, i don't like this style :=
I see a fashion bag for 13.3" Laptop on line .it is multi-purpose compartments can hold CD, documents, pens, cellphones, MP3, etc. It will fit for you use.