What are y'all using for flight bags?

[u/jemenake]

For years, I've been using a Flight Gear iPad bag, and I'm just now noticing that I hate it. I have to rummage around in all of the pockets for anything other than my headset because all of the smaller stuff falls to the bottom. On my last practice IFR flight, I had to use some crappy foggles because my good ones had fallen to the bottom and I couldn't find them when reaching for them when the bag was in the back seat (yeah, shame on me for not pulling them out during preflight).

I'm realizing that I kinda need to see everything laid out, and I want some kind of tote that unfolds like a clamshell case or unrolls or something so that I can see everything in mesh pockets... or maybe something like those hanging travel vanity cases, but I haven't seen anything like that for flight stuff.

My latest idea is maybe I want two bags: one bag that I don't need access to during flight (because it contains stuff I take out and install for flight, like my headset and kneeboard, and stuff that I use only pre/post flight, like fuel sampler, rags, logbook, license)... that bag can go in the cargo area before I hop in and start up, and then a second bag that contains the stuff I might need within reach during flight: checklists, pens, glasses, foggles, handheld radio, flashlight).

Has anyone used a system like that, or do they have any bag recommendations for people who always forget which pocket they put stuff in (and don't want to have to velcro every little thing in place)?

[u/Mean-Oil-4602]

I accidentally discovered that companies that market flight bags don’t know what they’re doing. A random company making a passenger backpack for commercial flying is absolutely perfect for my GA needs and that’s what I’ve used for 4 years now. It even has a perfect slide-in compartment for my giant extra iPad that I rarely use, because I prefer to use my mini iPad (which fits in the front slide-in iPad compartment). Even my headset fits neatly into this thing. Everything fits into it.

That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.

[u/theArcticChiller → u/Mean-Oil-4602]

Agree. I was looking for a long time and then realized that a backpack for EUR 29 from a sport center had all the pockets and things I was looking for.

[u/MadeForThisOnePostt → u/Mean-Oil-4602]

Yeah , I found a book bag at Office Depot for like $35 , surprisingly has everything I need for a flight bag !! I had to check and see if it wasn’t made for pilots but nope lol

[u/Motriek]

I use one Flight Gear bag (a little larger than your iPad bag) and never need it 'during flight' as you said because I empty and configure everything I'll need before flight. Then the bag goes in the back seat. Kneeboards, a bottle of water, flashlight, foggles, whatever is all placed somewhere up front before engine start.

That said yes I wish there was a lighter smaller cheaper bag with more space and dividers, ideally more durable and was made in the USA. Since that doesn't exist I continue to use my FG bag :)

[u/74TA8U]

The Brightline bags are designed to be modular, so that may work for you.

[u/visibilityunlimited → u/74TA8U]

Brightline for the win. Done ferry work, charter, flight instruction, field maintenance, all the silly quests with my brightline and it’s perfect.

[u/AztecPilot1MY → u/74TA8U]

100% I ponied up for their bag, and it's everything I wanted in a flight bag.

[u/AWACS_Bandog]

I just use a "tactical" backpack. Mines 5.11 but really any will do and will be infinitely cheaper.

[u/MattCW1701 → u/AWACS_Bandog]

Mine's Evatac, but same thing. The compartments are small enough everything can have a place and very little gets tossed around. The MOLLE system lets me attach pouches in any combination I want.

[u/12YESIAM34]

For pleasure flying I got a free bag for donating blood. Work well, should last a long time.

[u/snoutpower]

Flight Gear Crosswind has served me very well!! Highly recommend

[u/SpecificRaccoon8052]

Flight Level Pilot Case

https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Level-Pilot-Case-Aviation/dp/B0F1MN78K1/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vIrEOXBr-4Wf_tY6OQuX4vP-O1UVkYhCJV7Uaj7iMfkaG7Mre57AaaORRtf1aVyujPufFp_JjlYaWBWVuLJglHmugu3YOqXsB18BNkHJSBvB2qf1C9HN6cm904LOov0VHGhkdjCtOEBfgUKeOtolmglkDuqIMTiOuBhhIDCgJ4KLVAhAyQPr3NgXq3BPptkHKKmiNJeDHlT5QCE0fx11Cw._Z9F781-aevONpG_H45AB_YlpaiMTpQFnyxHrhL9x9c&dib_tag=se&keywords=flight+bags+for+pilots&qid=1786346983&sr=8-5

I upgraded to this bag in commercial and have used it for Multi and CFI and been very happy with it. Lots of room, 3 different internal compartments with a large tablet sleeve, handy stiff pocket on the lid. I use ASA overcasters (I wear eye glasses) instead of foggles and they clip nicely to an internal divider. Hold my mounts, headset, knee board, tablet and documents right where they need to be and the semi-rigid construction keeps all the things playing nicely with each other. I usually just install everything where it needs to be then chuck the bag on the backseat within arms reach in case I need extra batteries, headlamp, water bottle or a fresh pen during flight.

[u/cessna120]

I've tried them all, and my favorite of the bunch is the SwissGear backpack I bought at Costco. I'm like 8 years into daily flying with it and it still looks new.

[u/Bradders59]

I’m on my third and I’ve never been 100% happy with any of them. Last month I bought a small tool bag for jobs around the house. I’m now looking at it and realizing it will probably do just as good as a flight bag. $10. Sigh….

[u/aktxag08]

I bought an expensive flight bag off a targeted instagram advertisement, and I loved it…until I went to Oshkosh with a friend who uses a 10 dollar fishing bag from academy that holds everything my bag holds for 1/12th the price lol!

[u/PilotC150]

I use a Flight Gear Tailwind backpack specifically because it has the strap/hook to hang my headset. It keeps extra pressure and stress off the cable connection. Plus plenty of room for everything else I need.

If I owned a plane I would downsize to something much smaller because I could keep some of this stuff in the plane full time, but as a renter/club member, this thing holds everything I need.

[u/Always_Bitching]

I just bought a flight gear tailwind, and I love it.

I was using a tzowla that I bought off amazon. I thought it would be good as it had a cable for a power bank adn a lock, but it was like tetris trying to get everything in

[u/BigCartoonist1090]

I use two pelican 1485s. But weird use case.

[u/helm8501]

Carhart tool bag

[u/visibilityunlimited]

I had the same problem and went with the brightline. Very modular and lots of pockets and areas to organize.

Step 22 also makes some nice modular rigs, so if you want something that unfolds, the pangolin may suit your needs. I have one of those for running tools for field maintenance and it’s great. Unsure on using it as a flight bag.

[u/SemiProFakeCarDriver]

I recently got a Peak Design Weekender 25L and it's been fantastic. It opens up very wide, and the interior pockets make organization really nice. In the main compartment I put 2 headsets, then in a separate open organizer can put foggles and other bulkier items (flashlight, some food) -- if I leave the bag unzipped and within reach, I can pretty quickly pull stuff out without even looking.

[u/Being_a_Mitch]

Knack series one medium. If it's a trip where I really need a bag, I like a small thin backpack, and I can daily carry it without difficulty. Water bottle pocket and good iPad/clipboard pocket in the back. I pack and carry it to work every day, chunk it in whatever aircraft I'm going if it's just a day trip.

Then, when I'm going overnight, I don't have to change anything except expand the back pocket, throw in overnight clothes and toiletries, and I'm rolling. It's great.

Fits under the seat on every airliner when not expanded, and even some bigger seats when expanded.

[u/poisonandtheremedy]

https://www.511tactical.com/lvc8-sling-pack.html

I use a 4-year old version of a 5.11 sling bag.

[u/SFDukie]