Flight Bag recommendation

[ncdmtb]

I am looking for a good flight bag/cockpit organizer to place between the two front seats (I fly a M20E with johnson bar) once the landing gear is up. Something where I can keep maps, charts, ipdate etc. to access/stow while during flight.

Any recommencations/advice/best practices to share?

[Lood]

I use a Brightline bag. Don't know if it will fit between the seats, but it can be halved and it is a really nice bag.

[Cabanaboy]

I use Sterilite brand from Wal-mart. Works GREAT!

2.7 quart, 7 3/8 x 3 1/4. Holds Ipad Mini to.

 

 

[Marauder]

Like most pilots, I spent the better part of my flying career looking for the "perfect" flight bag. Once I found "it", then the next gizmo came out and I had no place to store it. Last Christmas I got a Brightline bag and I think (at least I hope) my search Is over. You can buy different sized compartments and stick them together. I bought the standard one (I think it is called the B10) but am looking to change it up if I move over from traditional ANR headsets to Halos.

[Bennett]

I like the Brightline bags so much that I have two of them - one as the traditional flight bag, with one one added compartment, and the other as an auxiliary travel bag, with two added compartments. The mix and match aspects allow dozens of variations. Very well made, and the only hard part is deciding what goes into the many compartments.

[Ned Gravel]

+1 for Brightline. The older version. And for me, I can carry my Halos in it and not have to leave them in the Mooney.

Sent from my iPad

[Steve65E-NC]

I used the couragated plastic from old political signs and metal HVAC tape to design/make a partitioned box that fits in front of the pilot seat. I have recently trimed/modified it to make fuel select easier to reach and do not have current photos. I will be out at the airplane today and will plan to make some photos of the modified version, construction and as used. It is designed to hold Charts and Approach Plates in a vertical, easy to reach, position, but can be used for anything. It can easily be moved up on co-pilot seat or even to rear seat. It does not significantly interfere with my getting into aircraft. I have later model seats so made a special recess for the seat tilt knob. Not necessary for older seats.

[Marauder]

I like the Brightline bags so much that I have two of them - one as the traditional flight bag, with one one added compartment, and the other as an auxiliary travel bag, with two added compartments. The mix and match aspects allow dozens of variations. Very well made, and the only hard part is deciding what goes into the many compartments.

I think that is what all the color coded zipper pulls are for. I use the colors to denote different things. Makes it easier for the wife to find things when I can narrow down the color. It stopped the "it's in their somewhere!"

[PTK]

I thought the EFB solved this!

[BigTex]

Gotta have a bag for the EFB.

[Bennett]

I agree that the color coded zipper pulls are are a great aid, once you sort out what goes best unto which compartment. I find that one of the optional thin middle units is the perfect size for an iPad, and that it is well protected there. .

[Steve65E-NC]

As promised here are three photos of my chart box for in front of pilot seat It holds three or more Approach Books and about twelve charts.

[Marauder]

As promised here are three photos of my chart box for in front of pilot seat It holds three or more Approach Books and about twelve charts.

Wow! It is true! People still do use paper! Here is a picture of my charts binder.

[Steve65E-NC]

Yes, and here is the post-it note that the examiner or instructor puts over your little jewel showing it InOp.  Now what?  Next, loss of GPS signal.  Now what?

 

But, whatever your poison, my real point is that there is an alternative to temporarily straddling the Jo Bar with some sort of bag.  And, that alternative is in front of the seat below the pilots knees.

[Marauder]

Yes, and here is the post-it note that the examiner or instructor puts over your little jewel showing it InOp. Now what? Next, loss of GPS signal. Now what? But, whatever your poison, my real point is that there is an alternative to temporarily straddling the Jo Bar with some sort of bag. And, that alternative is in front of the seat below the pilots knees.

Trust me Steve, been there. Started with NOAA's then thought I would get modern with Jepp's. 5 Jepp binders painstakingly undated every cycle and then finding out I missed a section and needed to fly to an alternate that I had to query the controller for the updated information. If anything, I got too much to look at. The iPad has both Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight on it, a Nexus 7 with Garmin Pilot, an iPhone 5 with ForeFlight and Seattle Avionics geo-referenced charts on the MFD -- and I still feel compelled to print out my departure, destination and alternate plates! Any instructor giving me an IPC would run out of post it notes... The only thing I miss about the paper was "binder night". A 6 pack of beer, my new charts from Jepp and my outdated binders like clockwork... Hey, maybe that is why I missed an update once in a while

[Hank]

I've read many good things about Brightline bags, but I like this one from Spruce. Roomy main compartment, one on the end for the handheld, and a fold down desk. It lives with the shoulder strap over the right rear seat, well within arm's reach in a short body. When traveling solo, I move it to the right front seat. If you're curious, I'll check the name tomorrow or Wednesday evening when I go by the airport.