Pilots carry a lot of equipment: headset, kneeboard, paper sectionals and approach plates or their e-version on an iPad, flashlights, water bottles, yoke clips, multi-tool—and you need a gear bag that can fit it all. While it is tempting to repurpose that backpack you utilize for day hikes or the duffle bag you use for overnight trips, they may not be the best choice, as pilot gear bags are often designed with an aviator’s particular needs in mind. A pilot gear bag is designed not only to carry the gear, but also to protect it and help the pilot stay organized. One of the first things you may notice when you shop for a pilot gear bag is that the majority of the fabric ones are black—and that is the only color. The next thing is that they all have a number of pockets held closed by zippers, velcro, or ties. The price of pilot gear bags starts at around $40 for synthetic fabric and goes all the way to north of $250 for something made of leather.
Features to Look For
Here are a few elements that make a bag useful for a broad range of pilots.
