Any Flight Bag advice?

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Scottman

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Scottman
Random question...

I dusted off my 30 year old leather flight bags only to discover they were disintegrating in my hands. Any thoughts on a good replacement bag?

Thanks in advance!
 
Maybe I’ll get called a geek, but the SMALL brightline bags are good... and have a lot of pockets.
 
I’m with @murphey on using a common backpack. That’s what I use. You can easily find one to your liking that fits your needs. They also cost less.

Only a total aviation geek with too much money to burn would buy an aviation specific one such as the brightlines that @dans2992 recommended.

:cool:
 
Are you renting or owning? If you can leave stuff in the plane, your flight bag becomes almost non-existent.
 
I use a military helmet bag.... All those pilot-specific bags are for renters with an extra $100 to spend after paying the FBO. But, if it makes you feel like a better pilot, go for it. Buy some eppalettes to get free shipping mins...

Just like this guy did:
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I have different bags for different airplanes.
A backpack for (bigger) planes that require more stuff.
A smaller bag, sort of like a small laptop bag, for the Cub. It has to fit in that tiny space behind the back seat.
My headset is in a separate bag which holds my knee board, pens, spare glasses.
 
I actually have a small Brightline bag to store all those things I don't want to forget to have but might want to bring home for maintenance (e.g. fresh batteries) and don't want to fumble around in limited storage in the plane for during flight. It fits neatly behind the front seats.

Items stored include required flight manuals for the GNS-430, STEC AP, NGT9000; flashlights, visor lights (for night flight), flight planning/note sheets, portable radio, portable GPS, various cables for emergency communication, spare batteries, 2nd GPS data card (for updates), keys, post it notes, pens and pencils, some basic tools, and storage for the tablet EFB/charger.

The Brightline has enough dedicated pockets I can find what I might need in flight pretty quickly. Anything will work, as long as it holds your stuff and you can root around in it efficiently. Anything larger is overkill. A small bag, backpack, or briefcase is sufficient if you own.
 
Unit74 said:
I use a military helmet bag.... All those pilot-specific bags are for renters with an extra $100 to spend after paying the FBO. But, if it makes you feel like a better pilot, go for it. Buy some eppalettes to get free shipping mins...

Just like this guy did:
View attachment 77548
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Jealous much?



;)
 
Another vote for a backpack. Amazon has some self branded ones that are cheap and decent. Handy for me as I can throw it on when I take the motorcycle to the airport. Stole a pair of "fantasy of flight" wings from my kids to complete the look lol.
20190905_085443.jpg
 
For the bigger bag, this Carhartt tool bag. Built probably well enough to last a lifetime and a million times better than anything in the “aviation” market.

(FAR/AIM for scale and it’s completely stuffed with things right now. It never goes flying that full.)

Most of the time a neoprene case with the iPad and the headset in a little bag with a spiral steno notebook and a mechanical pencils is all that’s needed.

3e843e202ca6009680073a1d72c732f2.jpg
 
One of my fellow pilots ( high time Commercial pilot) carried his stuff in a plastic bag marked "Walmart". He was also a retired Marine pilot.
 
Maxnr said:
One of my fellow pilots ( high time Commercial pilot) carried his stuff in a plastic bag marked "Walmart". He was also a retired Marine pilot.
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If you’re making the big bucks you can usually splurge for the reusable canvas ones. LOL.
 
Funny you should ask. I have had a My Go Flight bag for several years but since I am retired it doesn't get much use. However I bought my professional pilot son one a couple of years ago and he loves it. He just asked me for any paperwork on it as a zipper is tearing, and he uses the heck out of it. They are going to replace it for him out of warranty so that says something about the company, in my opinion. https://mgfproducts.com
 
OP shouldn't listen to anyone, and shouldn't have even posted this. Everyone is different. Says me the OP should tally up what he takes to the airport, and get some kind of bag that fits it.
 
steingar said:
OP shouldn't listen to anyone, and shouldn't have even posted this. Everyone is different. Says me the OP should tally up what he takes to the airport, and get some kind of bag that fits it.
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Technically if you’re asking, you already failed this difficult life test. LOL.

Thus, the amount of fun poked at every thread ever started with this question... all available in the search bar. Hahaha.
 
I use school backpack discarded by my children long time ago and I still have half a dozen lying around in the basement
 
How much stuff are people bringing flying? An iPad.. headset.. what else?

I fly with some people that show up with the 50 lb bag and all sorts of aviation themed regalia.. probably cost $150 at sporty's.. it typically ends up getting the iPad and headset taken out and spending the rest of the one-hour flight in the back baggage compartment

If you are keen on bringing a number of items like flashlights (even for a day VFR flight and your last night time was 6 years ago during PPL days and have a cell phone on you with a wicked bright flashlight already part of it) then find a durable space efficient non aviation themed canvas bag like a Carhartt or the one James posted above..
 
Scottman said:
Jeez, lighten up, people. If you can’t ask a simple question regarding what people are using, what’s the point of these boards?
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Just be glad you didn't ask what plane is better to fly.. a high wing or a low wing.. or which plane you should buy for under $60,000 that will fly four people comfortably and fast on 500 nm legs.. you are not instrument but plan on getting it soon
 
I use a backpack that has rollers. For everything. I s'pose it'll be my flightbag, too. It's a great carry-on for those sardine can flights. Gotta admit the tool bag type tote above caught my eye... But I ain't buyin' button but flight time wid my limited $$$.
 
Tantalum said:
Just be glad you didn't ask what plane is better to fly.. a high wing or a low wing.
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I would never.

Which reminds me, what is a better single to fly, a Cessna or a Piper? ;)
 
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I use the Flight Gear HP Crosswind from Sporty's but it's starting to get a bit cumbersome and the seam for little water bottle/radio pocket on the side is starting to com apart. If I had my own plane, it would be a moot point but I have my headset(s), iPad, RAM mount, Sentry, handheld, barf bags and some disposable items that I like to have on me and can't just "leave" in the rental. The bag is nice but turning into a dumpster.
 
Slightly on and off topic... I’m changing jobs and will be back on the flying bus fairly regularly in a few weeks. I have a samsonite roller bag that works and has a few years on it.

I was thinking of replacing it soon and if I do I wanted something that will last a decade or more. What was the brand the flight/cabin crews typically use? I know it had steel frames inside, replaceable parts etc.
 
Scottman said:
Jeez, lighten up, people. If you can’t ask a simple question regarding what people are using, what’s the point of these boards?
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I guess what I was somewhat inarticulately trying to say is that it is an enormously personal thing for which the opinions of others aren't necessarily relevant. Sort of like asking about headsets.
 
I have been really eyeing the Duluth Trading company bags, not for just flying but for every day carry. I travel a lot for work and have to carry my "tools" with me. I go through backpacks and bags like crazy from wear and tear. They make all sorts of shapes and sizes, and they look and feel absolutely durable in their stores: https://www.duluthtrading.com/men/accessories/bags-and-luggage/
 
My view (worth every penny you paid for it) on flight bags is a lot like hiking packs - the bigger the bag, the more junk you'll find put in it. Figure out what you really NEED to take and then find a bag that fits that need. If you buy a bag with 27 pockets and 15 molle attach points, I guarantee you will find SOMETHING to fill it with even if you don't really need it. Then it just becomes a PITA to deal with every time you look for the one or two things that you NEED.
 
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