Gold Bars and Flying Suits
Standard dress of the day seemed to be a 'beanie' hat, scarf wound around the face, several layers of jackets and gloves.
Sorry, cap., I just couldn't resist.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually there's an episode where one of the new apprentices makes his debut as cabin crew on the Sched - the daily passenger flight between someplace and another. For the occasion he decided to wear a tie. I think they're still laughing about it.
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Barbados
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thought the "fatty" in a grow bag a bit much.
Fatty pilots are great - I am one, hypertension, diabetes - the whole 9 yards, really PO's the hangar fliers - the "...well I would fly but the doctors says my pressure is a little high, sugar runs in my family..." through to the "...well at my age it's a bit late to learn..." - they really do jot like us fatty, diabetic, over 50's - thinking that the grow bag is now a must have for those of us with the 35+ BMI
Fatty pilots are great - I am one, hypertension, diabetes - the whole 9 yards, really PO's the hangar fliers - the "...well I would fly but the doctors says my pressure is a little high, sugar runs in my family..." through to the "...well at my age it's a bit late to learn..." - they really do jot like us fatty, diabetic, over 50's - thinking that the grow bag is now a must have for those of us with the 35+ BMI
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Upper Gumtree
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've had many a thread here on the subject.
Personally I think you should have your medical revoked for being a complete tosser as you're clearly delusional for wearing bars and poop suits as a recreational pilot in a spam can.
Personally I think you should have your medical revoked for being a complete tosser as you're clearly delusional for wearing bars and poop suits as a recreational pilot in a spam can.
I agree - but a flying suit is useful in old aeroplanes, as such a a Chipmunk, where I always seemed to get oil everywhere - and for gliding to keep warm and dry.
Gold bars ... hahahahahaha - I wouldn't be seen dead ...
Slightly off topic but one flying club I visited recently at a regional/GA airport had a sign which said that any pilot seen wearing a hi-vis vest would be fined.
Now whilst I understand the sentiment, it doesn't really concur with modern health and safety philosophy - although to be fair I wonder how many accidents there have been Worldwide in aviation where the lack of hi-vis clothing was the primary cause of an accident ... ???
Modern H&S it has had a marked affect - back in the 1970s, for example, one man died every day on a building site in the UK. Now it has been reduced to 43 workers in 2015/16 (HSE).
The answer has to be if ONE life is saved it has all got to be worth it ...
But as far as gold bars are concerned - fine when I was flying a B737, but in a light aircraft ...
PS: I was slim when I last wore my flying suit - the wife laughed when I tried it on recently as the zip barely did up ... hmmmm
But as far as gold bars are concerned - fine when I was flying a B737, but in a light aircraft ..
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well historically I suppose it goes back to the early days of commercial aviation where civil aviation found its roots in the military?
In an airline it's a visible indication of rank - and in any other situation which pilots are expected to manage.
But in this modern world why not just wear a smart uniform/suit ... ?
Hats have disappeared, so why not ties and insignia ... ?
It has a lot to do with tradition where people in an hierarchical environment are expected to show badges of rank - whether that be the military, the Police or officers at sea or in the air.
In an airline it's a visible indication of rank - and in any other situation which pilots are expected to manage.
But in this modern world why not just wear a smart uniform/suit ... ?
Hats have disappeared, so why not ties and insignia ... ?
It has a lot to do with tradition where people in an hierarchical environment are expected to show badges of rank - whether that be the military, the Police or officers at sea or in the air.
We had air-ships in the beginning.
Captains uniform, first mate and so on.
Navigation lights are a straight copy from ships as is the Captains position, left side of the bridge.
And yes I've ruined many a pair of decent pants flying the almighty Aztec with its self lubricating wings.
In the heartland of Florida I had a Turkish PPL student show up once in a flightsuit and badges from his (real) F16 pilot buddy who was there to "mentor" his progress.
He wore it for three days while I was in shorts and Tshirt when he decided he was maybe slightly overdressed and it would be more appropriate to wear something different.
Did a rental checkout once in a brand new C182 and the guy showed up with in a growbag with his helmet as he "couldn't be bothered to take his headset out" and he "was used to it anyway" as he had his own Extra 300.
Oh dear.....
Slightly off topic, but one thing that makes me cringe is pilots/instructors/students wearing hi viz INSIDE an aircraft. Or posing by the aircraft for a pic after 1st solo/QXC/skill test pass looking like a couple of extras from a Village People video.
Yes, of course, wear hi viz where needed/required to on an airfield but pls take the darn things off when not. I come from an industry where hi viz really can be a case of life or death.
Yes, of course, wear hi viz where needed/required to on an airfield but pls take the darn things off when not. I come from an industry where hi viz really can be a case of life or death.
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Hadley's Hope, LV426
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Slightly off topic, but one thing that makes me cringe is pilots/instructors/students wearing hi viz INSIDE an aircraft. Or posing by the aircraft for a pic after 1st solo/QXC/skill test pass looking like a couple of extras from a Village People video.
Yes, of course, wear hi viz where needed/required to on an airfield but pls take the darn things off when not. I come from an industry where hi viz really can be a case of life or death.
Yes, of course, wear hi viz where needed/required to on an airfield but pls take the darn things off when not. I come from an industry where hi viz really can be a case of life or death.
Maybe some folk just forget to take it off? Or wearing the jacket because the heater is u/s?
As for "posing" - I didn't do it as I hate "selfies" but I can fully understand anyone who does after a satisfying achievement like 1st solo. Is there a problem with that?
Think some of you need to get out more.
Cubs and Gold Bars
A lovely video, which criticizes large circuits in lightplanes and also takes a not-so subtle dig at gold bars.
I’m not sure if this has been posted before on this thread, but it’s worth repeating:
I’m not sure if this has been posted before on this thread, but it’s worth repeating:
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mare Imbrium
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Grayson Perry "The Descent of Man" has a thorough and disturbing explanation for gold bars and flying suits. They are simply props for men who need reassuring about their masculinity.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/oct/23/descent-of-man-masculinity-grayson-perry-review-a-mans-man-is-yesterdays-hero-gender-role
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/oct/23/descent-of-man-masculinity-grayson-perry-review-a-mans-man-is-yesterdays-hero-gender-role
I know of someone (a PPL) who recently completed a round the world trip - he did it in a flying suit with 4 bars because he realized some of the places he was flying through wouldn't take his trip seriously/provide services etc. unless he actually looked the part. This proved to be the case in some of his stop-offs.
Wondering if it was a pic of him!
Wondering if it was a pic of him!
First job after RAF flying Aztec taxi and, when the boss handed me four bars, I thought "Whaaaaat?"
Over 60yo, I was back in the RHS of a B747 as a two bar FO.
I went off on a subcharter to look after ground handling etc and realised that I should have worn four bars - makes a difference everywhere.
Perceived rank / history plays a big part in life, not just in aviation.
I have been out of uniform a long time now and deal with large retail outlets. These have store , regional and area managers. Most often need to be told what to do otherwise they are either reluctant to act for fear of being the one carrying the buck if it goes wrong, or just won't listen to someone who in their eyes is subordinate.
However, if I write to them as "UK Operations Manager..." the job gets done; works every time.
How someone else sees you really governs the rate at which you get help or hindrance. If wearing gold bars gets you fueled up with less hassle then it is worth it.
Not wishing to stray off topic but there is another thread on PPRUNE about an individual who unjustly wears RAF Pilot wings. Some argue that it is just a harmless token but I bet it has given them far more credibility than they are entitled to (or deserve).
I have been out of uniform a long time now and deal with large retail outlets. These have store , regional and area managers. Most often need to be told what to do otherwise they are either reluctant to act for fear of being the one carrying the buck if it goes wrong, or just won't listen to someone who in their eyes is subordinate.
However, if I write to them as "UK Operations Manager..." the job gets done; works every time.
How someone else sees you really governs the rate at which you get help or hindrance. If wearing gold bars gets you fueled up with less hassle then it is worth it.
Not wishing to stray off topic but there is another thread on PPRUNE about an individual who unjustly wears RAF Pilot wings. Some argue that it is just a harmless token but I bet it has given them far more credibility than they are entitled to (or deserve).
Actually, years ago I sat in the righthand seat of a VC10 wearing my rank of Sqn Ldr and sporting grey hair. Next to me was the captain, a Flt Lt with black hair. At a foreign airfield a local gentleman arrived to talk to the captain, took one look at him and then proceeded to deal with me, the co!
Actually, years ago I sat in the righthand seat of a VC10 wearing my rank of Sqn Ldr and sporting grey hair. Next to me was the captain, a Flt Lt with black hair. At a foreign airfield a local gentleman arrived to talk to the captain, took one look at him and then proceeded to deal with me, the co!
Last edited by chevvron; 28th Sep 2017 at 19:19.
