Flight Bags

[Baldegret]

For 20 years or so I have been using an old shoulder bag to lug around my kit when I go flying. I have to be able to carry two Bose headsets, skyecho, PLB, ipad, a couple of 1:500,000 charts, handheld radio, licence, logbook, hi-vis vests, cables and chargers, spare batteries, pens etc. It's quite a load. I want to find something more practical and the best idea I can come up with is one of the larger camera backpacks. They are well padded and seem to have a reasonable capacity. Before I head off to that well-known online store, does anyone here have any other suggestions?

[hueyracer]

Yes.

Make one yourself.


No kidding.. I spent half my life searching for the one, perfect bag that does not exist...

Plenty of Youtube Videos available on how to make your own bag..

My first attempt came out a bit too small, but my second one worked perfectly fine...

[Less Hair]

What cockpit is it needed to fit in? I'd start with that.
There are many other backpacks that have smarter pouch and interior arrangements than camera bags made to cushion bodies and lenses. Like for flashlight, iPad, cables and batteries, logbook and such. Not one big compartment for everything separated by dividers but with easier and better access from the outside.

[Hughes500]

take less stuff

[Baldegret]

Space isn't really an issue as I will remove most of what I need before take-off. I fly an R44 - usually with just two of us on board, so plenty of room on the back seat for the bag once we are flying.

[Fareastdriver]

I managed to fly for forty eight years with a map in one leg pocket and a packet of cigarettes and a lighter in the other.

[thechopper]

Helpfull Kit

Originally Posted by Fareastdriver

I managed to fly for forty eight years with a map in one leg pocket and a packet of cigarettes and a lighter in the other.

And a copilot to lug your kit around.
I always asked my crewman to wear my helmet walking out to the aircraft.

[Hot_LZ]

Try having a look at a military grab bag. Usually a decent size for stowing away, modular so you can add small pouches if required and very hard wearing. Example below


https://www.military1st.co.uk/f56930a236onesz-propper-bail-out-bag-coyote.html?___store=default&refSrc=133164&nosto=productpage-nosto-1

LZ

[revit]

Originally Posted by Fareastdriver

I managed to fly for forty eight years with a map in one leg pocket and a packet of cigarettes and a lighter in the other.

That is some flight. Pretty impressive to stretch one packet out over 48 years.

[KARNAK66]

How about a square Jeppson bag like all crews at home do hopefully this would fit. Happy Flying.

[aa777888]

Originally Posted by Hughes500

take less stuff

ha, ha! First thing I thought. But actually he's got a legit list of stuff.

Originally Posted by Hot_LZ

Try having a look at a military grab bag. Usually a decent size for stowing away, modular so you can add small pouches if required and very hard wearing. Example below
https://www.military1st.co.uk/f56930...ctpage-nosto-1

Second thing I thought. Look for bags and backpacks marked as "tactical" or "military". There are endless designs. You can go expensive with a name brand like maxpedition.com, or just jump on Amazon with a search like this:

Amazon

Amazon

If you get something with a lot of MOLLE webbing you can go crazy with modular pouches. It can actually become something of an addiction.

Personally, I got an insert similar to

this one

this one

to organize the small bits. Then I put that insert, headset(s), radio, tablet, etc., into a helmet bag that I got as swag at a convention some years ago. I like the softness of the helmet bag, once emptied it becomes very thin and easy to stow under the seat, and it expands and contracts with however much junk I decide to carry that day. Those tactical/military bags tend to keep their shape and take up a lot of space. Lots of good helmet bags on Amazon:

Amazon

Amazon

[Robbiee]

Originally Posted by Baldegret

For 20 years or so I have been using an old shoulder bag to lug around my kit when I go flying. I have to be able to carry two Bose headsets, skyecho, PLB, ipad, a couple of 1:500,000 charts, handheld radio, licence, logbook, hi-vis vests, cables and chargers, spare batteries, pens etc. It's quite a load. I want to find something more practical and the best idea I can come up with is one of the larger camera backpacks. They are well padded and seem to have a reasonable capacity. Before I head off to that well-known online store, does anyone here have any other suggestions?

Why so much stuff? What are you doing with that 44?

[BigMike]

I have used this for a while:
https://www.511tactical.com/rush-moab-6.html
Plenty of pockets, carries a small slr camera, mini tablet, garmin inreach, phone, etc.
Will fit under a BK seat...

5.11 RUSH MOAB™ 6 SLING PACK 11L

also has a compartment for CCW if you are working in a high threat environment...

[aa777888]

Originally Posted by Robbiee

Why so much stuff? What are you doing with that 44?

What do you fly with, Robbie?

A little bit of thread drift, but this is my loadout: one or two headsets depending on if my wife is coming with, PLB, a paper chart, a couple of flashlights, spare batteries, spare eyeglasses, tablet, tablet charger and cable. Maybe a bottle or two of water. Rarely a radio, but sometimes. Pens are in the ship already. Don't need a hi-vis vest

Meanwhile, the license and medical are always in the wallet, logbook is in the phone, hat is on my head, sunglasses on my face, 'cause you never know when you might just jump into something and fly

[squidie]

Years ago when I was a PPL student I bought a pilot bag from a well known pilot retailer in the UK, which was actually a double laptop bag but the product line was a pilot bag. A few years later I just went to and still use a messenger bag, no issues since. Fits most of my kit plus maps, paper etc and headset and some light flying clothing.

[Robbiee]

Originally Posted by aa777888

What do you fly with, Robbie?

A little bit of thread drift, but this is my loadout: one or two headsets depending on if my wife is coming with, PLB, a paper chart, a couple of flashlights, spare batteries, spare eyeglasses, tablet, tablet charger and cable. Maybe a bottle or two of water. Rarely a radio, but sometimes. Pens are in the ship already. Don't need a hi-vis vest

Meanwhile, the license and medical are always in the wallet, logbook is in the phone, hat is on my head, sunglasses on my face, 'cause you never know when you might just jump into something and fly

Well, lets see,...

Kneeboard with paper chart, old Garmin 96c handheld gps, flashlight, book light (to clip to headset hangar because R22 red map light sucks), flare gun/three flares, pouch style life jacket, multi-tool, fuel tester/filter, cylindrical sponge for cleaning water out of fuel tester, small towel, travel size deoderant ('cause you know,...no a/c and all), winter golf gloves, spare glasses, spare batteries, bottle of water, hand santizee, bandaids, tums, alttoids, travel size mirror, bit of cash/spare change, oil rag, spare cotter pins,...oh yeah, and a headset (Zulu).

I used to carry it all in a three pocket backpack, but years ago decided to finally switch to a more proper flight bag,...I don't recall the make/model though.

[nomorehelosforme]

Originally Posted by Robbiee

Well, lets see,...

Kneeboard with paper chart, old Garmin 96c handheld gps, flashlight, book light (to clip to headset hangar because R22 red map light sucks), flare gun/three flares, pouch style life jacket, multi-tool, fuel tester/filter, cylindrical sponge for cleaning water out of fuel tester, small towel, travel size deoderant ('cause you know,...no a/c and all), winter golf gloves, spare glasses, spare batteries, bottle of water, hand santizee, bandaids, tums, alttoids, travel size mirror, bit of cash/spare change, oil rag, spare cotter pins,...oh yeah, and a headset (Zulu).

I used to carry it all in a three pocket backpack, but years ago decided to finally switch to a more proper flight bag,...I don't recall the make/model though.

And no water, snacks, or sanitizer for your tour pax?

[aa777888]

And...ignoring troll post.

[Baldegret]

Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions. I think the grab bag sounds like the best bet and as a former soldier, seems appropriate too. Happy New Year!

[aviation421]

I used a sturdy tote bag because it was spacious enough for everything and still easy to carry. It wasn’t overly specialized but had plenty of compartments, which helped keep things organized. If you prefer something more structured, a pilot bag or something designed for professionals like photographers could also work pretty well since they often prioritize durability and organization.

When searching for ideas on bags, I sometimes stumbled across sites like https://coach-bags.co.uk/. They have a nice range of practical options, and their detailed reviews can help you decide what works best for different setups.