Our Flight
Instructor, Paul, loves his Express Flyer Flight bag manufactured by Noral
Enterprises for so many reasons. Every
time he wanders into the Flight School, he’s got this trusty bag with him. It’s not too big measuring in at 11”H x 10.5”W
x 10”L but seems to keep him well organized for each flight. The other day, between flights, I decided to
ask him what he loves about it. Some
things I knew but others, I suppose only a pilot would appreciate so this is
what I learned.
First of
all, this is virtually the only bag that is still manufactured in the United
States. With so many of our goods made
overseas, it’s wonderful to actually purchase an item proudly made in the U.S.A. In fact, we often get calls from customers
wanting to know where certain products, including flight bags, are made. When I tell them that Noral still manufactures
its products entirely in the U.S., customers are more than pleased to make a
purchase.
I decide to take a look and see how he has organized
his pilot gear. I don’t think he’ll
mind. In the large front zippered pocket
in the front, I find a Pilot’s License and some other papers. In the zippered pouch behind, is his headset and
since this pocket is large enough to hold any size headset and the one that he’s got
is of average size, he likes that he can also manage to also squeeze in a can
of aircraft cleaner. To the side are
some pocket sleeves where he has placed a fuel tester in one and a flashlight
and pen in the other.
Access to
the main compartment is through a double zippered flap with pull cord and it is
very roomy. He’s got all other necessities
in here such as a kneeboard, logbook,
flight computer, terminal procedures, oral exam guide, some sort of maneuvers
manual and sectionals – that have expired by the way so I will have be sure to
get him a current supply.
There is
also a pocket sleeve at the back where he has slipped in a navigational
protractor and inside there is a zippered section where he’s got a pencil and
eraser. It is made with two carrying handles that has
a padded band if you wish to keep them together and I just noticed on the front
of one the of handle straps that there is a plastic holder where a carabiner
holding keys or whatnot can hook on. Another
very handy feature indeed!
Noral makes
this flight bag using very durable ¼” foam padded nylon and it is so well sewn
that Paul has been using his flight bag for a couple of years now and it still
looks brand new with no wear and tear.
The zippers are extremely heavy duty as well.
Wow! There is quite a lot of pilot gear in this durable,
smaller size flight bag. No wonder Paul likes it so much.
