What People Think
Flight Bag in Dark Brown
I have already ordered more items personally and will be doing some other items for giveaways.
Thanks for such a rad product!
Flight Bag - Awesome
Early thoughts on color comparison to my Front Pocket
First, color. I know lots of folks agonize over color choice. I was one! My FPB is the natural tobacco. I wanted something a little more professional-looking and it was between Chestnut and Coffee Brown. Problem with pics is the lighting makes it look so variable from shot to shot. I went with Chestnut hoping it wouldn't look as red as it did in *some* pics. I'm THRILLED with the choice. Beautiful professional look in office lighting and outdoors. Definitely not too red at all for my taste, but I know how subjective color descriptions can be. All I can say is to me, the Chestnut is beautiful and very professional/warm feeling.
On functionality, it holds more than I thought. I fit my 15" MBP in with no problem along with my big Bose over-the-ear headset in its big case, plus chargers, plus a charging cord bag, and a notebook. And that's not counting the front pockets. Could squeeze more in if needed, but overall I actually don't feel it's much smaller inside than my FPB, yet the design is definitely sleeker than the FPB and it's noticeably lighter.
Love the Gladstone. Works as advertised. Love being able to get to the front pockets without having to open the flap like on my FPB.
Love the fact that I can pick it up without buckling the over-the-top strap and it balances nicely. On my FPB it is very awkward to carry without that strap cinched, which is annoying when just doing quick moves from one meeting room to another.
What follows is not a list of anything wrong with the Flight Bag! It's just design choices.
A few things I immediately now appreciate more about my FPB. (1) I miss the cigar holder in the front that I used for pens. (2) The side pockets where I keep a big sunglasses case and my air pods on my FPB. (3) The single handle vs fussing with the two separate ones is really nice when the buckle is cinched. It's just all about what you're optimizing for, and for me I wanted something with a sleeker profile and accessible front pockets. The Gladstone opening was a bonus.
I'm very pleased with the purchase and the service. I recommend using the Chat feature if you can. Extremely quick and efficient and seems easier to reach than phone and definitely quicker responses than email.
Can't wait to start breaking it in!
Great Bag!
I want to highlight the customer support, who has been very kind and understanding, helped out a lot during some problems that have arisen with the first order.
But this bag, oh boy, turned out to be great! Surprisingly a lot of space for the bag this size, fits MBP 16" perfectly (without a case) in the floppy pocket inside, and the quality of build is superb.
Never thought I would be wearing a brief with a strap, always preferred holding it with hands, but, this strap is so great, I'm trying to wear it on my shoulder. :)
One thing I didn't feel was up to par is the smell of leather. It smells of chemicals after tannery (I think), hope that it will air out.
All in all, great bag for the office, short trips and stuff.
Oh, and now I don't think I'll be ever getting another brief (I would want 15" grandfather case to come back though).
Amazing bag
Flight Bag Details
Fits 16" MacBook Pro
Removable Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Hidden Pockets Behind Two Front Pockets
Magazine Sleeve Pocket in the Back
Flight Bag Dimensions (W x H x D)
15" x 11" x 5"
Front Pockets: 6"W x 7"H
Strap: 1.25" W x 40" - 65"L
Shoulder Pad: 3" W x 7.75"L
Weight: 6 lbs
Design of the Flight Bag
These flight bags are over-engineered with no breakable parts like magnets, zippers, snaps, buttons, etc. A few pieces of solid leather are put together beautifully. And is then reinforced at all stress points with rivets and hidden polyester strapping. Some leather that is pulled on stretches, but these straps don't. The leather briefcase is built with the largest pieces of leather possible, so there are fewer seams, and we sew at only five stitches per inch, so there's more leather between the needle holes and fewer holes to start a tear. The closure is a classic Gladstone bag closure that does not require a zipper. Zippers break. Our lining that backs up the leather is tougher than the leather, which is better than some pretty shiny lightweight nylon fabric with an old world map on it to make you feel adventurous.
The Best Flight Bags Are Made With Quality Materials
The materials used in constructing this flight bag are top-of-the-line and meant to last, just like your plane. The leather is full grain and incredibly tough, while the lining is made of pigskin, which is even stronger. The thread is industrial, marine grade, and UV resistant, ensuring it will hold up against wear and tear. The hardware is 316 stainless steel, the metal of choice for situations where strength is vital.
Leather in Our Pilot Bags:
The leather we use is the strongest we can find (full grain boot leather, but thicker). The top layer of a leather hide has all the grain. The grain is the hide's toughest, most protective, and longest-lasting part. The grain is like the shingles on a roof—the best part. Most companies shave off the top layer (grain) of the hide to get rid of scars so they can use almost every inch of the hide in production and save money. But in doing so, it's like they're shaving the shingles off your roof. There ought to be a law.
Lining of Our Leather Flight Bag:
We use pigskin lining, which is stronger than cow leather, instead of some pretty shiny fabric with a world map on it. In addition, this pigskin lining is lighter in shade, making it much easier to see inside in a darker cockpit.
Thread:
The thread is unbelievably strong industrial marine-grade UV resistant polyester thread. It's what they use when people could die if the thread fails. Like on sails and parachutes. We use it to hold together leather briefcases.
Hardware in Our Leather Flight Bags:
Our custom hardware is the amazing 316 Stainless Steel (please please google it). It's the metal of choice when your life depends on it. A metallurgist told me it was way overkill and that I didn't need it to be so strong. I guess it's like killing a fly with a shotgun for a leather briefcase, but we NEVER have problems with our hardware.
No Breakable Parts in Our Leather Briefcases
Do you remember in your childhood, that transformer bag with the cool zippered rear pocket that fell apart and dropped your collection of hot wheels in the hall at school? Then you realize you want to study harder to afford nicer things that don't fall apart. So you decide to become a pilot because you love freedom and only fly what you trust. You don't want to get a part for your plane that you don't trust, no fuel pump or brakes for your Cessna from wish.
Functionality of The Pilot Bags
This mid-1800s English style Gladstone Bag closure is just plain cool on this leather briefcase. It opens wide and stays open until you say otherwise. Pilots love this feature to put next to their seats. For closure, I chose a single leather strap with holes punched all the way out to the very tip, just in case your bag is overstuffed or you want to stick your umbrella or blueprints under the strap horizontally or leave the laptop bag open to stick your stuff out vertically. The front pockets are built and then sewn on, so there are hidden pockets behind the pockets. This is a more expensive way to design a leather briefcase because it requires more leather, but it's also way more helpful.
External Pockets for Easy Access During a Flight
As a pilot, you need quick access to something out of your flight bag, from a flashlight to water bottles, to a handheld radio or charging cords on a long flight. With the external pockets, it will be easy access for all the gear you might need. Even with the flight bag open, either front pocket has easy access.
Fuel Tester Pockets
There is a pocket that would be perfect for your fuel testers. Just make sure you keep it in an airtight fuel tester container; you wouldn't really want to move from the full grain leather smell to the fuel smell.
Gladstone Closure for Quick Access to the Main Compartment
From the front compartment, which is the main area inside, to the back compartment, there is ample storage space for everything you might need. You might only have to carry your pilot certificate, a photo ID, and possibly even an aviation medical certificate, but we all know you will have more than that. Here are a few other accessories and things you can fit in the separate pockets and the central area of the Leather Flight Bag.
Electronics
MacBook Mini, Ultrabook, tablet, or iPad will slide perfectly inside the inner back pocket. This is pigskin lined, so it is like a padded laptop sleeve, but it is even nicer if you grab a laptop sleeve to go with it. These are great for everything from flight planning to holding electronic versions of your manuals and even checking the weather on those long flights.
Books
Maybe you are more old school and want actual physical books, especially student pilots. Everything from operating handbooks to other reference books, you can have a couple of those in these flight bags with no problems, along with your logbooks.
Headset and GPS
You might have your own special headset that you like to use; you can toss that in here, as well as an external GPS if you need one.
Sunglasses and a GoPro
Yes, you can even fit your sunglasses, along with that GoPro, for when you see the most amazing cloud that looks just like your leather bag.
Pens and Pencils
Then, of course, you can fit pens and pencils, a flashlight and spare batteries for those night flights, and even a flight school brochure, but I hope you already went.
Fuel Testers
If you need to carry a fuel tester to check your fuel before your flight, you can also carry that. We just ask that you place it in a leakproof container so it doesn't get fuel inside your pilot bags.
We Tried To Think Of Everything for this Leather Flight Bag
When we designed these Flight Bags, we tried to think of everything. This highest-quality full grain leather bag should come to mind when you think of flight outfitters. You don't want some cheap pilot bags that have leather accents; you might as well use a gym bag. Experienced airline pilots want the real deal, Flight Bags made of Full Grain Leather, these bags are going to last long enough for you to pass down to your grandkids to fight over after they are gone.
This will Comfortably Fit on your Shoulder
We know not all pilots like to carry their pilot bags the same, so we made the adjustable strap so you can fit it just right. First, of course, you want to ensure the weight is distributed evenly, which will do that—no more aching back or shoulders. The shoulder strap is removable too so you can carry it by hand.
Bedtime Story
FOR THE KIDS ABOUT A AL-SHABAAB ON VACATION
The last small plane we were on was from Nairobi to Lamu. From there, we took a 2-hour small boat ride to an island off the Northern Coast of Kenya, next to Somalia, where a Kenyan friend of ours told us it was a super cool place for holiday. We didn't know about all of the Al-Shabaab terrorist activity and kidnappings in the area, or we probably wouldn't have chosen it for our family vacation, but ignorance is bliss. The last night there was a little freaky. Okay, a lot of freaky hanging out and discussing theology with the witchcraft-practicing angel prophet of Islam, but that's for another place and time (or bag description).
So we finally get to our destination, Mike's Camp, run and owned by a British Kenyan named Mike. A charming chap who had made a barefoot luxury Gilligan's Island resort built almost entirely from woven reeds. The walls and floors were 100% woven, and the ceilings were thatched. All of it was supported by branches and sticks.
It was SUPER COOL. Unbelievable. And that's why billionaires fly in to stay there all the time. Of course, since we're not billionaires, we flew into Lamu and then took the little skiff to the island, but some people fly in at low tide, land on the beach, and walk up the sand dunes to the camp. It's where you completely unplug. No laptop bags are allowed. To read about the Angel prophet of Islam and our walk through the terrorists, go to the Slim Leather Briefcase page.
Small plane bush pilots that land on the beach or take people to Lamu have a smaller flight bag briefcase next to their seats. It's just what you do when you need all of your things in a tiny cramped place.
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