I've got more camera bags and backpacks than I'd care to acknowledge, but when I received a DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ ( at Amazon) for review, I quickly realized that no bag I have was made to carry a drone. I ended up using one of my larger messenger bags, with all of its dividers removed, to carry the body, but that was an inelegant solution at best. The Think Tank Photo Airport Helipak ($239.75) is a sturdy, lightweight backpack that fits Phantom 2 and Phantom 3 drones, and it's small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage. If you like to take your drone to exotic locales, or want to hike up a mountain and use it to capture stunning views of nature, the Airport Helipak is an excellent way to carry the Phantom its accessories.

The Helipak ( at Amazon)  measures 20.5 by 14 by 9 inches (HWD), with just a little less space available in the main interior compartment. It includes a custom set of dividers to hold a Phantom drone (with its rotors removed), as well as its remote control, spare batteries, and charger, with some room to spare. Four rubber caps are included to protect the threads of the rotors. You could easily squeeze a GoPro, a point-and-shoot camera, or even a mirrorless camera or a small SLR in there as well. The front compartment holds up to a 15-inch laptop, and there are three zippered compartments to store rotors, tools, and other sundry items.

The case has a black exterior, which is free from decoration apart from a small, tasteful Think Tank logo. The bottom is padded, both for protection of the gear inside and for comfort when the bag is strapped to your back. There are two adjustable arm straps, which can be connected at chest level via a clip, and there's also a padded waist belt. I had no trouble adjusting the straps to sit comfortably on my back.

Think Tank bags certainly aren't bargain-basement in terms of price, but many photographers (myself included) are happy to spend a bit extra to protect the expensive gear within. Zipper quality is excellent, and you should have no worry about taking the bag out in inclement weather. Its outer fabric is water-resistant, and if you're going to be really trudging through a downpour you can cover the bag with the included blue rain cover; it folds neatly for storage within the bag when not in use.

Still, even with quality materials, the Helipak should be viewed as a carry-on bag for air travel. It's got enough padding to protect the contents from short drops, but I wouldn't want to put it in the hands of airport baggage handlers. If you can get yourself into an early boarding group when flying, either via an upgrade fee or rewards program, it would take some stress out of the prospect of being forced to check the bag at the gate on an overbooked flight. If you're looking for a more durable case that can handle the rigors of being checked, consider a hard shell model like the Go Professional XB-DJI-Vision-W ($228).

The Helipak's design offers a bit more versatility than a hard case with a pre-cut foam insert. You can use a different set of dividers, and have the pack double as a carrying case for a camera kit. Or you can remove the dividers entirely, and use it as a bag for a weekend getaway. There's even a pocket on the side for a water bottle, as well as top and side handles for carrying the pack by hand.

There's one other bag in Think Tank's Airport series that holds a Phantom, the Airport Accelerator ($294.75), but you'll need to add a custom divider kit ($34.75) in order to do so. The Accelerator is about the same size, but it can hold a 17-inch laptop and includes a side pocket that can fit a travel tripod. If you want a dual-purpose bag that you can reconfigure to hold your photo gear one weekend and your drone the next, it might be worth the extra money.

But as a dedicated bag for a DJI Phantom 2 or 3 drone, it's hard to argue with the Think Tank Photo Airport Helipak. It's a well-made backpack that fits the drone perfectly, and has room for accessories, tools, a laptop or tablet, and a smaller camera. The strap system makes it comfortable to carry, even for long walks when it's loaded with a Phantom. At just under $250 it's not an inconsequential purchase, but it's priced in line with other quality cases for the Phantom, as well as general-purpose photo bags. So if you're a Phantom pilot in want of a carrying case for your drone, the Helipak should be near the top of your list.

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