How to Pick a Pilot Flight Bag

Flying is all about keeping up with details, especially when it comes to gear. From logbooks and headsets to bottles of water and pens, there's a lot to keep up with on every flight. Every pilot needs a flight bag, but they're not all built the same. Here's a rundown of some of FLYING's favorite pilot flight bags, along with the essentials most pilots stash inside them.

Quicklook: Best Pilot Flight Bag Options

Most Popular: Flight Outfitters Lift Flight Bag
Best Modular Pilot Bag: Brightline Bags Flex B7 Flight Modular B ag
Best Simple Pilot Bag: Simple Flyer Alpha Pilot Headset Flight Bag
Best Splurge: Lightspeed Aviation "The Gann" Leather Flight Bag
Best on a Budget: Jeppesen Student Pilo t Flight Bag

Essential Flight Bags for Pilots

Here are some of the standout flight bags on the market based upon the size, price, and capacity.

Flight Outfitters Lift Flight Bag

This tough bag is designed by a private pilot, and it shows. There's dedicated, fleece-lined storage space for your headset and electronics. The carrying handle is also reinforced with braided wire for heavy loads.

Best For: Staying organized in the cockpit

Dimensions: 9" x 10.5" x 12"

Weight: 2 pounds

Materials: Nylon

Special Features:

Sturdy construction
Large headset pocket, iPad pocket, accessory pockets
Steel-reinforced carrying handles
Orange interior that increases visibility and makes items easier to find

Benefits:

Fleece-lined electronic accessory pockets
Water bottle, backup radio pocket, fuel tester pocket, external chart pockets
Adjustable shoulder strap

Disadvantages:

Size may limit for some pilots needs

Brightline Bags Flex B7 Flight Preconfigured Modular Bag

In addition to providing seven inches of storage depth, this soft bag slightly expands in every direction. Additionally, you can store headsets, charts, and an ipad–with room to spare! The FLEX Systems module allows you to add other FLEX System modules and create a custom bag.

Best For: Configurable storage of cockpit essentials

Dimensions: 14" x 8" x 12"

Weight: 5.6 pounds

Materials: Nylon

Special Features:

Configurable design allows you to scale up or downsize capacity based on your flight
Capable of carrying two full-sized aviation headsets

Benefits:

Plenty of storage options
Capable of carrying flight gear, along with personal items
Versatile

Disadvantages:

Cost
Some purchasers have complained about long term durability

Simple Flyer Alpha Pilot Headset Flight Bag

This Simple Flyer Flight Bag has a straightforward design for all the cockpit essentials. It comes with a large headset pocket and a protected pocket for your iPad. It also has a large exterior pocket for water, as well as organization for must-haves, including pens, phone chargers, sunglasses, and handheld radios.

Best For: Compact organization

Dimensions: 15.28" x 14.61" x 3.19"

Weight: 1.56 pounds

Materials: Rip-stop nylon fabric

Special Features:

Large headset pocket
Compact size
Comes in black or pink

Benefits:

Roomy organization for the price
Solid construction

Disadvantages:

Some purchasers have complained about pen pouch placement and the smell of the material

Lightspeed Aviation's “The Gann” Leather Flight Bag

This all-leather bag features a carpenter-style opening that allows unfettered access to the inside. Interior compartments are lined, and a large transceiver pocket features a cut-out flap for the antenna. It also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and a one-year limited warranty.

Best For: Staying organized in high style

Dimensions: 15" x 12" x 5"

Weight: 3.65 pounds

Materials: Full-grain leather

Special Features:

Uncoated leather will soften with age and use
Purpose-built pockets for headsets, iPads, and transceivers
30-day money back guarantee, one-year limited warranty

Benefits:

Premium style and quality
Spacious
Durable
Can be easily stashed behind the pilot's seat

Disadvantages:

Cost
No exterior water bottle pocket

Jeppesen Student Flight Bag

This multipurpose pilot bag comes with plenty of exterior pockets to keep you organized. If you're not sure about the need for a shoulder strap, no worries. It's removable. The bag's material also comes with a PVC coating that adds water resistance.

Best For: Best multipurpose bag for the price

Dimensions: 11" x 5.5" x 16"

Weight: 12.8 ounces

Materials: Polymer with a PVC coating

Special Features:

Seven exterior pockets
Three small exterior pockets for pens, flashlights
Interior key clip
Double zipper opening
Reinforced base

Benefits:

Generous size
Price

Disadvantages:

Made of nylon material

What Should a Pilot Pack In Their Luggage?

A pilot's bag is a receptacle for all needs foreseen, as well as those that could be handy in an unforeseen emergency. The bag should have room for:

Your headset (and perhaps a spare headset, if you're an instructor)
Pilot certificate
Logbook
Kneeboard
Flashlight
Pens
Mints
Snacks, such as protein bars or peanuts
Extra batteries
Small first aid kit with a space blanket
Handheld radio
Plotters
E6Bs
Airplane Manuals

How To Choose the Ideal Pilot Luggage

While selecting the best pilot luggage is highly subjective to personal preference, it starts with pockets to keep your gear organized and within easy reach throughout your flight.

Quality and Durability

When choosing how to schlep your gear, pay attention to the quality of the material used in the construction of pilot bags. Nylon and rip-stop fabric can offer durability without a lot of added weight.

Size

Flight bag size is a critical detail. It needs to be big enough to carry everything you need in the cockpit, but not so bulky that it can't easily be thrown behind your seat.

Storage and Organization

Have you ever been midflight and in need of lip balm? Sitting behind the controls is not the place you want to be while rifling through a bag looking for a needle in a haystack. Dedicated storage pouches and pockets on flight bags are key to staying organized.

Customization

Once you have an idea of the type of pilot bag that works for you, consider customizing the exterior. Many bags on the market are black, which means they could be prone to mixup during pit stops. Make your bag instantly identifiable by tying a colorful flight cord or ribbon to its top handle, or get fancy by having your name embroidered on the front.

Convenience

A good flight bag is going to be with you through it all, so think about how you roll. Do you prefer a long shoulder strap that could allow you to wear it cross-body style? Do you prefer greater control by keeping your bag in your hand? Choosing a bag with versatile carrying options keeps things flexible.

Enhance Your Bag Game

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