I have a small Nike backpack:
- kneeboard with ipad mini
- a small folder with my licence, medical, business cards
- a small plastic box with the data cards, USB sticks
- a folder with European VFR charts and IFR enroute charts
- sunglasses, two pens, a small paper notepad
- airplane and hangar keys
- 4 spare AA batteries
In case i stay overnight there’s still room for another t-shirt, fresh underwear and my toothbrush, toiletry, iphone charger
All the flightbags i had over the years ended in the basement, full of stuff i never need … I started to hate heavy luggage
I don’t take a flightbag any more. I have a small briefcase that I use for work. aircraft key, licence, laptop all go in there along with iPad. If your headsets stay on the plane I think that there is little you need to move back and forth these days.
Flightbags were built for headsets and Jepp Airway Manual folders.
If you are using rented aircraft (or changing aircraft a lot) it is a different story of course.
Another vote for Brightline bags. Got one for GA and one for work – gets lots of comments!
For the documents, tools and accessories staying in the plane, I have a laptop briefcase and seat pockets. Everything else usually goes into this bag (bought in Russia for 1/2 of the usual price of such bags in Europe):
I also have a classical pilot case adapted for dual purpose:
I just switched to the Jepessen Caiptains Flight bag, the biggest one from Jepessen. I chose it because in addition to my Flight gear I am able to carry five days of clothes and a laptop in the center section and thus reducing the amount of bags carried on my usual trips down to one or two. If not full of clothes, the center section holds plenty of bureaucracy or tools I need from time to time. Usually it stays at the airport or in the car, when instructing or on daytrips. Then I can grab all I need with a hand: The headset and the kneeboard containing map, licenses, pilot log, navimat, course triangle, pens and paper.
Hi Peter_Mundy/chrisparker
I looked for the Brightline B17 but could only find a B7 or B18??
Thanks.
I have a “traditional” leather pilot case with too much stuff. OTOH, when you don’t have your own aircraft you need to bring a lot.
I was having the exact thought today. I started off with an old school flight suitcase thingy (not with a cat modification I should add!) then migrated onto a converted laptop bag that had headsets in one side and my stuff in the other, but now I leave my headsets in the plane, I’m wondering what to get next to save me lugging the almost empty laptop bag around.
All I need is enough space for the ipad mini, A5 knee board, physical chart. licence, log book and that’s about it. Maybe a headset carrier may fit that in. I will try!
Sorry – wrong number. I have a B7 with an optional 5" extension
That’s how i ended wih the backpack … All the stuff you really need fits (headsets etc stay in plane) … and the backpack has one big advantage: free hands when you open the hangar, especially in the winter …