pilot bag or flight bag

Pilot Bag

What is a pilot bag?

A pilot bag is also known as a flight bag. It is a bag used by pilots at all stages in their flying to store the necessary pilot supplies used for their flights. Pilot bags come in a lot of different varieties while almost anything can be used as a flight bag. Most student pilots will simply use a backpack until they have chosen a desired flight bag and can afford to do so.

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ASA Pilot Briefcase. Ideal and simple for student pilots on a budget.

What is in your pilot bag?

Depending on the purpose of flying, pilots will store different things in their bags. Student pilots may pack training supplies like their kneeboards, flight computers, logbook, study books, and charts. Private pilots may still have the same supplies with the exception of the books and the addition of some flight specific treats and goodies to eat.

Commercial pilots may have a headset (or two), some similar pilot supplies, and maybe even some extra clothes in case they must divert to a location at an unexpected time. Airline pilots may have the same basic things in their bag for all flights, but would vary some items depending on the pairing they are flying, or simply what their schedule allows for.

I want to know what is in YOUR flight bag!

Okay, fine. I have two bags at home, one for general aviation flying and one for when I go to work at my airline. In my general aviation bag I have my headset, maps, electronic flight bag, snacks, and necessary emergency equipment. Before I go for my flights, I will change what is in my flight bag to suit my flight mission.

When I go to work at the airline, this really depends on what I am doing at work. If I am going on a transatlantic flight, my carry on will have all of my clothes and hygiene kit. The pilot bag issued by my airline is more of a large durable laptop briefcase. I have room for my vest, my necessary paperwork and licenses, some snacks, extra pens, books or magazines to read, my iPad for flying, and on the occasion I will bring food from a grocery run.

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Sometimes a Watermelon ends up in my bag on transatlantic flights. Maintaining a good level of nutrition can be hard on the road as an airline pilot and it requires some solid effort.

What Flight Bag is Good for Student Pilots?

There are a variety of bags for student pilots to choose from as they conduct their pilot training in Canada. Ideally, something that holds all of your books, pilot headset, other supplies, and something that doesn’t break the bank. Check out our ground school kit below which has the ASA product in it. This keeps the cost down and the kit affordable.

Ground School Kit NO PTR
Our ground school kit comes with our own Canadian Flight Trainers Canadian Flight Bag

Our Choice for Pilots – The Canadian Flight Bag

We built the Canadian Flight Trainers Flight Bag for pilots who want a clean, practical, no-nonsense bag that works for training days and real-world flying.

What we designed it for

  • Fast organization (no digging for cables, pens, or documents)
  • Room for the “pilot essentials” without becoming oversized
  • Durable materials and a reinforced structure for everyday use

Best for

  • Student pilots who want a “buy once, use for years” bag
  • GA pilots who carry headset + iPad + accessories
  • Pilots who want an all-rounder that looks professional

Canadian Flight Bag | Premium Pilot Gear Bag for Students & Professional Aviators | Designed by Canadian Flight Trainers

(10 customer reviews)
Price range: $94.95 through $99.95

This flight bag is purpose-built for pilots and has padded handles and an adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying during flight school, commercial ops, or trips.

The clean design with signature trim colours matches your style in and out of the cockpit. It has multiple compartments and secure pockets to fit headsets, tablets, manuals, and personal gear. And of course, it has durable textured polyester fabric with reinforced stitching and robust zippers for long-lasting performance.

Yes, we made it. But we made the Canadian Flight Bag with purpose so students don’t have to spend $400 on a quality flight bag. It’s versatile and durable as a ground school kit bag or as a stand alone flight bag.

Other Good Flight Bags

Ever since I started using the Brightline Bags Flex B7 early on in my career, I rarely switched to any other bag. This great bag offers great flexibility for the general aviation pilot, is quite durable (I’ve had mine for over 10 years), makes organization a breeze, and easily fits things like a CX3 computer. It has room for everything I need, isn’t too big, and has simply just worked for me. Our only problem is it’s price. At nearly $400 Canadian, it isn’t for the faint of heart.

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Brightline Flex B7 Flight Bag is flexible for a seaplane rating.

There are other stylish bags that exist for pilots. One of the American bags that we have recently taken an interest in has been Bush Pilot Folio Bag by Flight Outfitters. Their whole line of bags is fairly stylish with some good focus on organization for the average pilot. If you visit their website, they have some demo videos which show the versatility of their bags.

pilot bag
A Flight Outfitters Flight Pilot Bag
How much is a flight bag?

Costs can vary depending the bag you choose. A basic bag for a student pilot would cost up to $50 + tax. Flight outfitters offers stylish and affordable bags which range from $70 to $150 USD. Our Brightline Flex B7 bag is one of the most expensive at around $400.


What is a pilot bag (flight bag)?

A pilot bag (often called a flight bag) is a purpose-built bag for flight gear like a headset, iPad/EFB, documents, chargers, pens, and training materials—designed to stay organized in the cockpit.

Do student pilots need a flight bag right away?

Not necessarily. A backpack works early on, but most student pilots upgrade once they’re carrying a headset, kneeboard, books, and an iPad and want better organization.

Is a backpack or a briefcase-style pilot bag better?

A backpack is comfortable and great for books, while a briefcase-style pilot bag often fits better in tight cockpits and keeps smaller items easier to access. Many pilots use a backpack for training days and a flight bag for flying days.

What features matter most in a good flight bag?

The biggest difference-makers are durable zippers/stitching, smart organization (separate pockets for tech and small items), a reinforced base, and a comfortable strap/handle.

What’s the best flight bag for a student pilot?

Easy, our Canadian Flight Bag is the best flight bag for any pilot.

What pilot supplies do I need to start pilot training?

Our Ground School Kit is designed for students who are starting their pilot training. By purchasing all the items at once, you save money on the items you will eventually buy and use in the future.


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