The B7 FLIGHT is the FLEX version of Brightline's award-winning original Pilot Flight Bag updated to allow even more flexibility. The included modules let you build four bags for the price of one.
The B7 FLIGHT is perhaps the most useful flight bag ever designed. It's a fact that some days you need more gear than others. The B7 lets you carry a full set of flight gear for cross country and basic IFR flight. And then it lets you downsize to a smaller bag for those days when you're just going to take a quick VFR flight.
The B7 FLIGHT is designed to hold one or two full-sized headsets plus a full suite of charts, and of course your iPad (or two), a handheld radio, plus all the small stuff you'll want along for the ride. It also serves as an unbeatable carry-on personal bag when traveling on commercial flights, or just as a terrific daily bag for a wide variety of personal and professional uses.
The B7 consists of the POCKET CAP FRONT, CENTER SECTION 4, CENTER SECTION 3, FLAT CAP REAR, along with two SIDE POCKETS, ALPHA and CHARLIE. (It also includes the MH and SS. It does NOT include a SLIM HANDLE KIT. (If you ever think you'd like to remove the CS2 and zip just the two End Caps together to make the B0 SLIM, you'll need to make sure you also order an SLIM HANDLE KIT.)
The CS4 and CS3 provide seven inches of storage depth (hence the name, "B7"), but keep in mind that there is also three thin flat storage areas BETWEEN the four modules for additional slim storage. (Remember, it is a soft bag so it can expand slightly in every direction.) Keep in mind also that you can add any other Center Section to the B7 (like zip a CS2 in between the CS3 and CS4) to add more storage on certain days. Any FLEX System module can zip onto any other FLEX System module. The Main Compartments of both the CS4 and CS3 have locking zipper sliders.
The B7 FLIGHT will very commonly be used to carry two full-sized aviation headsets of any brand inside the CS4. (There is a nice, slightly-tricky way place two large headsets - like the BOSE A20 - inside this space. Just "intertwine" the ear cups in opposite directions. It's really nice to fit two headsets of any kind in such a relatively small space.) There is a specially-designed pocket on top of the CS4 to hold Sunglasses and their case. And then the CS3 will be used to hold a library of charts, or a iPad in it's bulky case, plus kneeboard, etc. A small collection of charts or flight docs can go in the spaces between the four modules. Surprisingly, a 13" Ultrabook or MacBook Pro can even fit into this "in between" space, and the iPad (or other tablet) can go in the main pocket on the FLAT CAP REAR.
The B7 FLIGHT also works amazingly well as a daily personal bag and/or as a commercial carry-on bag. A 13" laptop plus a load of documentation plus an iPad, plus all the small stuff like cables, adapters batteries, and support stuff for all your technology, your digital camera, snacks, etc - all of this fits easily in this bag. Even your noise-reduction headset for those long flights.
The other great thing about this bag is that it is actually FOUR bags for the price of one. Not only is it a B7 FLIGHT, but you can remove the CS3 and end up with the B4 SWIFT as a result. Or you can remove the CS4, leaving the CS3 between the end caps and have a nice compact personal bag (which could be called a "B3"). But you can also build a B0 SLIM by removing both center sections and zipping just the two End Caps together. (If you ever think you'd like to remove the CS3 and CS4 and zip just the two End Caps together to make the B0 SLIM, you'll need to make sure you also order an SLIM HANDLE KIT.)
Storage on the B7 starts with the POCKET CAP FRONT: The POCKET CAP FRONT acts like the "hub" for your entire FLEX System. No matter which configuration you carry you'll be attaching the POCKET CAP FRONT to one end of your bag. And it's the "hub" because it holds all the important small stuff and tech stuff and personal stuff that you want with you no matter what. If you change configurations, you'll always move the POCKET CAP FRONT to the new configuration which means you'll always have all this key stuff with you, without any repacking or reloading.
The POCKET CAP FRONT module offers a variety of pockets organized into three "main" pockets and six "secondary" pockets for a total of nine small pockets on the front panel. In these nine pockets you'll store all the cords, cables, chargers, batteries, stylus, memory cards, USB drives, etc, for all your electronic gear. All these important items will finally be separated and organized like you've always wanted. In addition, you'll have room for your flight timer, fuel testers, E6B, flashlights, compact portable GPS, etc. Not to mention space for your wallet, keys, cellphone, business cards, multi-tool, glasses, pens, markers, and things like Ibuprofen, Chapstick, bandaids, etc, and even your digital camera. There is also a flat half-height slip pocket on the inner surface of the module where you can stow an important document or two like a copy of your medical or your passport.
Next, comes the CS4 (4-inch Center Section), which is designed to hold two full sized aviation headsets. The CS4 comes with a divider shelf which serves to separate the compartment if necessary. You can instead fit 13” laptops or a small collection of documents (or both). (Many, but not all, 14" laptops will also fit. - But no 15" laptops will fit.) The CS4 has a really versatile dual-access feature. First, you get full top-access. You can unzip just the top of the bag to give access to your stuff right through the top of the bag. And then when you need, everything can also be accessed by unzipping the entire front panel all the way down to the bottom, giving access to the entire gray interior of the CS4. The Main Compartment of the CS4 has locking zipper sliders. The other key thing about the CS4 is that it has two FLEX-Mount Side Pocket stations, one on each side, for attaching the two included side pockets. You can, of course, also trade out the pockets any time you like later on.
The other main storage module is the CS3 (3-inch Center Section). The CS3 is a perfect module for holding all the flight docs, plates and charts you'll need for your cross country or simple IFR flights. And, of course, in today's world, you'll likely store your iPad, even if it's in a bulky case, your kneeboard and you checklists and other docs. You'll even be able to store a 13" Laptop inside. The Main Compartment of the CS3 has locking zipper sliders. The CS3 does have an external zipper on one side that gives access to a small internal pocket for storing small things you want to get to easily. You might instead use the CS3 to take along a couple of changes of clothes for a quick overnight trip somewhere. NOTE: Many of the photos show a small one-inch webbing strap going across the very top of the module. This strap has been removed. It is no longer part of the bag. We removed the strap because it was left over from the pre-FLEX days and it is no longer needed as a secondary handle. We just didn't want to go through all the trouble of reshooting all the photos just for this minor change. We hope you understand.
The FLAT CAP REAR module offers two flat pockets on the outside, and one flat half-height slip pocket on the inner surface of the module. The primary outer pocket is accessed from the top and has a cover flap that is secured with Velcro. This where you'll likely store your iPad (as long as it's not in a thick case), or a manilla folder or two for some documents, or a magazine. There is an additional flat panel that covers the middle-third of the outside of the main panel. By default, the bottom edge of this panel is "tucked" into the top edge of the next panel below it. This allows both panels to act together as a single slip pocket that works great for sticking a boarding pass or other simple paperwork here. If the top panel is "untucked" from the bottom panel, the telescoping tubes of a suitcase or folding cart can pass through and the panel serves to secure your bag to those tubes (for when this FLAT CAP REAR is attached to other modules to form bags like the B2 COMPUTE, B4 SWIFT or the B7 FLIGHT). Then, when you remove your BrightLine Bag from the top of your suitcase, you can just "tuck" the top panel back into the bottom panel and it becomes a slip pocket again.
And finally, the SIDE POCKETS. The side pockets attach to the side of any module that has a FLEX-Mount Side Pocket Station. In this case, only to the sides of the CS4. There are no FLEX-Mount Side Pocket Stations on the sides of the CS3 because that module is not wide enough. This mounting method is super-secure, simple to install, and best of all, your pockets don't LOOK like they're detachable.
Pick your parts. Build your Bag.
The whole point of the FLEX System® is to let your bag respond to the simple fact that some days you have more gear and some days you have less. Some days you need THIS set of gear and some day you need THAT set.
Your life has different arenas, each with its own gear, so your bag should serve those needs by making it easy to add and remove space when you need. Brightline Bags calls this Adaptive Utility™.
Embroidery Options:
The top front pocket cover of the POCKET CAP FRONT module can be removed to make it easy to add custom embroidery. Just remove this pocket cover and hand it directly to your current embroidery provider.
- Empty Weight : 6.0 lbs. (2.7 kg)
- Interior of CS3: 13.5" tall, 10.0" wide, 3.0 inches deep. (34cm x 25cm x 7.6cm)
- Interior of CS4: 13.5" tall, 10.0" wide, 4.0 inches deep. (34cm x 25cm x 10.2cm)
- Exterior of entire bag: 14" tall, 13" wide, 10.5" deep. (36cm x 33cm x 27cm) (Including side pockets)
- Exterior of entire bag: 14.0" tall, 10.5" wide, 3.75" deep. (36cm x 27cm x 9.5cm)
The bag material is flexible, so the size of the interior storage may be able to "stretch" out just a bit in one direction or another. Also keep in mind that over-stuffing your bag can cause seam or material failure, and this is not covered by warranty.