My Pilot Pouch
The USR Robotics Pilot is the best PDA on currently the market IMHO.
Not because of its power but because of its portability.
A universal organizer needs to be universally accessible--even those times
when you don't expect you will need.
I made a pilot clip that:
- Securely fastens at the waist without using a belt.
- can be accessed using only one hand in seconds.
- is reinforced to pilot face is not cracked.
I love my pilot pouch, its makes caring a pilot as innocuous as carrying
a beeper.
That said, building one of these cases is a more ambitious goal than
you might first think. These directions are a little sparse in places,
if you look them over and want to give it a try. Drop me a line for
more info.
PARTS NEEDED
- Black Denim (for part #2,3)
- Black Uposltry Vinyl (for part #1)
- Suspender Clips
- Heat Tape
- Edgeing Tape
- Black Nylon Thread (Heavy)
- Large sewing needle
- Heavy flexible plastic (1/16 upto 1/8")
CONSTRUCTION
1) Cut rectangle #1 below from the vinyl.
Cut rectangle #2,3 below from the denim.
2) Pieces are sewn together inside out so seams don't show.
Fold #1 so that black vinyl surface is INSIDE
Place #2 and #3 on the OUTSIDES of #1
Sew down the length of one edge with 1/8" stitches.
The beginning of this stitch is shown as ``A'' on each fabric below.
The ending of this stitch is shown as ``B'' on each fabric below.
The stitches should be 3/16" in from the edge of the material.
This should leave a hole formed by the 7/8" extra material on #1
3) Sew the extra material on #1 closed.
Push the extra material closed so that it forms a ``T''
(The stitch from A to B forms the vertical part of the ``T'')
Sew the ``T'' closed with stitches very close to the edge of the
material (1/16" - 3/32")
4) Sew the opposite edge.
Align the edges of the denim and vinyl and use straight pins to hold.
(This is challenging since the denim is 3/8" shorter, but it
needs to be a full 3/8" shorter so it will not wrinkle when turned
inside out.)
Sew the loop at the bottom as a ``T'' as before.
5) Turn inside out (start by pushing in one corner).
6) Cut two squares of plastic 3" x 4 3/8" with rounded corners (1/4" radius).
7) Attach the two suspender clips to one of the sheets.
Orient the sheet in front of the pilot. The clips will be attached
so that the top of the clip is about 1" from the top of the sheet.
Sew the suspender to the plastic by stitching around the suspender
through the plastic around a small piece of wire and back through
the plastic. (Any small wire will do, this is just to keep the thread
from cutting the plastic.)
8) Cut holes in #1 at the right place to allow the suspender clips to
push through.
9) Cut the top of the entire case with a contour like your original
pilot case (It is very important to be able to grab one edge of the pilot).
10) Using the iron on adhesive, iron the edging tape onto one side
of each denim piece. (This keeps the denim from fraying when
you sew then to piece #1.)
11) Put both pieces of plastic in place.
Place edging tape over the openings between #1 and #2
Sew through The edging tape, #1, #2, and the other side of the edging tape.
12) Repeat this for the other opening between #1 and #3.
Enjoy.
Here is a cross section of the pouch when completed:
#1 plastic #2 Pilot #3 plastic #1
#1
+-------------+----+-------------+ #2 #3 <-----
| | | | +-------------+ +-------------+ <- ^
| | | | | | | | ^ |
| | | | | | | | | 4 7/8
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | 4.5 |
| 4 3/8 |7/8 | 4 3/8 | | 4 3/8 | | 4 3/8 | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | v v
A------------B+----+B------------A A------------B+ +B------------A <-----