Flight Bags
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Age: 59
Posts: 61
Flight Bags
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?
Join Date: May 2008
Location: East of Africa
Age: 45
Posts: 913
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...
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...
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: attitude is nominal
Posts: 1,191
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Age: 59
Posts: 61
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.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Worldwide
Age: 69
Posts: 105
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.
I always asked my crewman to wear my helmet walking out to the aircraft.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 147
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
https://www.military1st.co.uk/f56930a236onesz-propper-bail-out-bag-coyote.html?___store=default&refSrc=133164&nosto=productpage-nosto-1
LZ
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Scotland
Age: 31
Posts: 18
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.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 644
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
https://www.military1st.co.uk/f56930...ctpage-nosto-1
Personally, I got an insert similar to 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:
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 362
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?
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Wild West... and Oz
Posts: 827
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...
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...
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 644
Originally Posted by Robbiee
Why so much stuff? What are you doing with that 44?
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
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Age: 32
Posts: 128
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.
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 362
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
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
Kneeboard with paper chart, old Garmin 96c handheld gps, flashlight, book light (to clip to headset hanger 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.
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London/Atlanta
Posts: 319
Originally Posted by Robbiee
Well, lets see,...
Kneeboard with paper chart, old Garmin 96c handheld gps, flashlight, book light (to clip to headset hanger 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.
Kneeboard with paper chart, old Garmin 96c handheld gps, flashlight, book light (to clip to headset hanger 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.
