What's in my flight bag?

After 35-plus years of flying, my flight bag has shrunk.

Gone are the analog items—save for a few key gems—and I’ve distilled down to the finer points what I carry on the airplane. Whether you’re a new student or a seasoned pro, take a look at what I’ve considered essential as an evolving pilot. Aside from saving weight, the curated bag I’ve created makes it easier to find what I need, and that can be critical in an abnormal or emergency situation.

The Bag Itself

As an aspiring instrument pilot back in 1989, I went from using the red vinyl bag that the Cessna Pilot Center kit came in and upgraded to an ever-increasing-in-size series of flight bags to accommodate the accoutrements of my rating quest. When your navigation needs go from a sectional or two to booklets of instrument approach charts, enroute charts, and sectionals that stretch further cross-country, you need serious luggage—at least you did back in the day.

That bag grew further when I became an instructor in 1993, and added an ever-present printed FAR/AIM and the manuals and checklists for the trio of airplanes I taught in—starting with the Cessna 152 and 172, and the Piper Warrior.

Now, 30 years later, the digital age has allowed me to shrink the bag into one that’s barely larger than my headset (we’ll get to that in a moment) and can slip in just about everything else I need. Several manufacturers produce flight bags, with varying pockets and adjustable straps and elastic loops, and in riffs on the standard black nylon color theme. 

There are several advantages to carrying a bag of this size (mine measures 12 in. x 10.5 in. x 9 in.), the first being that it can fit easily between the left and right seat in most single- and twin-engine airplane cockpits, or tucked on the floor behind the seat opposite you. Thus, it remains in reach but does not take up a front seat or stay loose (and a potential projectile).

However, if you want a larger bag, there are plenty of choices out there, too.

An ANR Headset

Your first item after selecting a bag is to find a good active noise reduction (ANR) headset that works for you. Most of the popular options on the market—from Bose, Lightspeed, David Clark, Telex, or house value brands from Sporty’s or ASA—feature over-the-ear cups and a cushioned headband, with an adjustable microphone and volume control. The fancier the model, the more bells and whistles, such as Bluetooth connection to your phone and higher-end noise attenuation.

Essentially, though, you want the headset that remains comfortable on your noggin for several hours. And you’ll probably need to try out a few before you find the right fit. See what your instructor and pilot friends wear, and ask to try theirs—or attend a fly-in like EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, where all of the major manufacturers have sample sets on display.

Digital Stuff: an iPad, Plus

The next item in terms of importance has to be whatever digital device you use for flight planning and document storage/retrieval. Some folks prefer an iPad—I use an iPad mini—and you’ll need an Apple product at this point to run ForeFlight. If you choose another brand of flight planning software (or you eschew the electrons and still use a plotter and chart) you may use another kind of tablet for handy access to electronic pilot information manuals (PIMs), checklists, and FAA references like the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and FARs.

Your iPad, or Surface, or even your phone may heat up if you leave it in direct sunlight for the length of the flight. So you’ll want to choose a mount that allows you to reposition it periodically—or even cool it down actively, like this case from Wombat Ware. You’ll also want a charging cable if your airplane has a USB outlet.

Multi-tool, Tire Gauge, and Fuel Tester

Next on the list comes the pilot’s little tool kit, which consists at a minimum of a multi-tool (including a screwdriver and pocket knife), a tire gauge, and a fuel tester. Some fuel testers include a handy reversible screwdriver tip at the base that can switch between Phillips and flat-head screws; some have a screen to strain out impurities in the fuel so you can return the precious avgas or jet-A to the tank.

A tire gauge should be deployed at the very least on the first flight of the day—especially if there has been a significant temperature change since the last time you filled the tires.

Flashlight and Batteries

Even when I don’t plan to fly at night, I make sure I have a flashlight in my bag with fresh batteries. First, you never know when circumstances might push you to fly up to or past sunset. Also, the flashlight can be used to help you check dark areas in the airframe and engine compartment during preflight and postflight inspections. Birds and other critters can hide in the darnedest places, take my word for it. Your flashlight should have a red lens as well as a white one to use at night to help preserve your night vision. Extra batteries also serve to replace the ones in your ANR headset when they’re drained.

A Bit of Strategic Paper

While some pilots have gone totally paperless, I’ve found that a little bit of paper makes my life in the cockpit easier. My solution: a notebook in which I copy clearances and weather/ATIS/AWOS data, log time, and make notes for later, plus key printed checklists and a local chart. I have had displays go dark. I have had iPads overheat and blank out. I have had my phone lock up unexpectedly. Trust your devices, but back them up.

Food and Water

Maybe it’s just me (it’s not), but I fly a lot better when I have the right amount of hydration and nutrition on board my person. And since heavy meals aren’t always the best preflight choice, I ensure I have a bag of chips, tin of nuts, or sports nutrition bar tucked into my flight bag. Said bag also has a side pouch for a water bottle, and that refillable one gets topped off before flight (and even washed periodically). 

I have as part of my descent checklist to “feed and water the autopilot” (me) so I enter into the approach and landing phase with my stores replenished.

Signaling Device

Even if I rarely fly beyond civilization, I know that an airplane that has made an off-airport landing can be notoriously hard to find anywhere. And while a mobile phone likely serves well for emergency contact in most cases, you never know when you might end up out of range or juice. Therefore, I keep a signaling device in my bag at all times. This can be a low-tech signal mirror and/or a personal locator device such as a Garmin inReach.

Hat, Gloves, Extra Sunglasses

A follow-on to the location device noted previously, I think about the terrain I’m flying over—not just the destination—when I dress and pack for the flight. Regardless of the time of year, I have a cap, gloves, and a spare pair of sunglasses in my bag to supplement whatever I have put on for the day. 

So that wraps up the tour through my flight bag. What’s in yours? Would you add to (or subtract from) anything on my checklist?