What is the best pilot bag? This answer is not sponsored. We remain completely independent. In our view, the best pilot bag is a bag that will: Last you for years Have space for your vitals Not cause you...
What is the best pilot bag?
This answer is not sponsored. We remain completely independent.
In our view, the best pilot bag is a bag that will:
Last you for years Have space for your vitals Not cause you any issues on various flight decksWe understand that you may be on a budget. In the long run, going with a quality bag is likely to be the cheapest for you.
The first thing you probably need to consider is if you want to go for wheels or no wheels.
Pilot bags with wheels
There are a few things we would like to tell you about our experience in regard to wheeled bags. The expandable handle is usually a weak design link so often you get issues with it after having used it a few hundred times. Also, the compartment for the expandable handle can on some models take up as much room as a small laptop. The wheels also tend to have some hardcovers making the bottom of the bag a little less useable. On most bags, the wheels are made of material that easily wears out. Anything concrete, stone, etc just chips of the wheel cover like butter. If you regularly use the wheels both in and outside the terminal area we think it is hard to imagine that your wheels will last you longer than about 2 years.
If you need to carry your wheeled pilot bag, the only option tends to be carrying it in the top handle. This means you carry all the weight in your palm/ arm. Something with a shoulder strap can normally be carried using both your shoulders and upper back which is better if the bag is a little heavy. On the other hand of course every time you can drag your wheeled bag (and it works) it wins over a shoulder-carried bag.
Shoulder-carried pilot bags
If you need space and something that is not likely to break you will get the most out of a shoulder-carried pilot bag. Of course, the disadvantage of a shoulder carrier pilot bag is that you need to carry it everywhere.
Which type of bag do experienced pilots tend to go for?
Generally wheeled bags are used by new-ish pilots in the aviation industry.
Experienced pilots usually have over-the-shoulder carried bags.
We have no statistics to confirm this, it is just based on being in the industry and looking at our colleagues.
What we think is nice to be able to carry in a pilot bag
Things you could carry explained in more detail
The “life-saver” in your bag
What is in your bag?
We have created this YouTube video showing the difference that there could be between a student pilot bag and a professional pilot bag, and what is in the bag.
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