Gold Bars and Flying Suits
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
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I will wear the apparel which is appropriate to the flight, and which may include that provided by my employer if it's a "working" flight. This once included bars. My employer (okay, Captain) gave me four, and said "wear these, it'll be better". I was a modest copilot in the Twin Otter, but, yes, every stop we made the length of Africa seemed to go more smoothly when we each looked "important".
Since then, no bars. Occasionally, which flight testing, a flight suit, otherwise, jeans and cotton or wool shirt (fire resistance), and as appropriate, cold weather wear, life jacket, or immersion suit.
And, just a regular wristwatch. Stopwatch yes, a myriad of little dials, windows and numbers I cannot read - no.
Since then, no bars. Occasionally, which flight testing, a flight suit, otherwise, jeans and cotton or wool shirt (fire resistance), and as appropriate, cold weather wear, life jacket, or immersion suit.
And, just a regular wristwatch. Stopwatch yes, a myriad of little dials, windows and numbers I cannot read - no.
Thread Starter
"whats there to stop you (other than common sense) to self promote yourself to a captain of your own cessna 150?"
If you honestly believe that the pilot of a Cessna 150 is a captain then .............
(words fail me)
If you honestly believe that the pilot of a Cessna 150 is a captain then .............
(words fail me)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Montserrat, in the Caribbean
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If only the rising number of infringements into Controlled Air Space were discussed with such zest. The monthly reading of the AAIB reports are dismal, but here are some old duffers on an internet forum getting their panties in a twist because pretentious pilots choose to wear flying suits, gold bars and captain a C172. Anyway, dont let me stop you lot, It has been interesting sharing this with my non flying colleagues at work . . .
Last edited by TRPGpilot; 25th Aug 2017 at 16:01.
Join Date: Nov 2014
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our club had a Rallye with a bad crack somewhere between the canopy and the frame, just small enough to blow a very concentrated air stream just where your left arm is - around the stick.. my solution to a freezing hand? A golf glove! I personally believe you need a team to be a captain, but if one has multiple personalities, that counts too, I guess.. I'm not judging..
Join Date: Sep 2011
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If only the rising number of infringements into Controlled Air Space were discussed with such zest. The monthly reading of the AAIB reports are dismal, but here are some old duffers on an internet forum getting their panties in a twist because pretentious pilots choose to wear flying suits, gold bars and captain a C172.
Only time I ever wear bars is when I do angel flights otherwise jeans and casual shirts
The exception to the rule is third world countries. Unless you look the part you tend no to get on to the airfield or get any attwntion
The exception to the rule is third world countries. Unless you look the part you tend no to get on to the airfield or get any attwntion
Join Date: Oct 2014
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You've clearly never seen the burned and disfigured hands of someone who has been in a fire. Giving himself a bit more protection, a few more seconds, a way to open the door, doesn't seem like a stupid decision to me. Also, if I had to sit next to students all day, I'd want something to help with sweaty palms.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I wear a flying suit for work and then occasionally sneak off early to go PPL flying (the club being at the airfield I work at).
Plus points:
It's super fireproof.
I have my flying gloves with me for mucky jobs.
Pen pockets are very handy.
Zipped pockets good for change etc.
General 'awesomeness' increased by at least 50%.
Down sides:
It's ridiculously hot (the new flying suits being about three times as thick as the old ones).
Getting up on the C172 step to check the tanks presents a significant hazard to the 'gentleman's area'.
I have limited starting 'awesomeness' so any increase is as near zero as to make no difference.
However, given how wound up people seem to get, I'm might purchase myself a land-away kit of gold bars and 'Cessna Driver' patches to change in to. Maybe commission Terrane to do some '100hrs+ PA28' or 'IMC Rated - I do it in clouds' patches to complete the look?
Plus points:
It's super fireproof.
I have my flying gloves with me for mucky jobs.
Pen pockets are very handy.
Zipped pockets good for change etc.
General 'awesomeness' increased by at least 50%.
Down sides:
It's ridiculously hot (the new flying suits being about three times as thick as the old ones).
Getting up on the C172 step to check the tanks presents a significant hazard to the 'gentleman's area'.
I have limited starting 'awesomeness' so any increase is as near zero as to make no difference.
However, given how wound up people seem to get, I'm might purchase myself a land-away kit of gold bars and 'Cessna Driver' patches to change in to. Maybe commission Terrane to do some '100hrs+ PA28' or 'IMC Rated - I do it in clouds' patches to complete the look?
If you are the PIC of a Cessna 150 you are the Captain and all that entails - not much different from being Captain of a 747 except in scope.
They can all kill you if you make the wrong decisions and if your skills don't match the demands put up on them (if your decision making didn't help to avoid the situation you found yourself in).
They can all kill you if you make the wrong decisions and if your skills don't match the demands put up on them (if your decision making didn't help to avoid the situation you found yourself in).
I'm a strictly amateur flyer but when operating outside Europe/USA/Downunder I often wear 4 bars so I look more important and can get through security more easily etc.
Thread Starter
As I said earlier, there's a place for gold bars in little planes (such as The Congo) and a place for flying suits in little planes (such as a Stearman). Both together? Not for me - but each to his own.
With regard to "If you are the PIC of a Cessna 150 you are the Captain and all that entails - not much different from being Captain of a 747 except in scope."
I also do a bit of sailing. Take a 14ft Bell dinghy out on the wrong day and it'll kill you as quick as a C-150. Would you also refer to yourself as the captain of a 14ft dinghy?
With regard to "If you are the PIC of a Cessna 150 you are the Captain and all that entails - not much different from being Captain of a 747 except in scope."
I also do a bit of sailing. Take a 14ft Bell dinghy out on the wrong day and it'll kill you as quick as a C-150. Would you also refer to yourself as the captain of a 14ft dinghy?
As I said earlier, there's a place for gold bars in little planes (such as The Congo) and a place for flying suits in little planes (such as a Stearman). Both together? Not for me - but each to his own.
With regard to "If you are the PIC of a Cessna 150 you are the Captain and all that entails - not much different from being Captain of a 747 except in scope."
I also do a bit of sailing. Take a 14ft Bell dinghy out on the wrong day and it'll kill you as quick as a C-150. Would you also refer to yourself as the captain of a 14ft dinghy?
With regard to "If you are the PIC of a Cessna 150 you are the Captain and all that entails - not much different from being Captain of a 747 except in scope."
I also do a bit of sailing. Take a 14ft Bell dinghy out on the wrong day and it'll kill you as quick as a C-150. Would you also refer to yourself as the captain of a 14ft dinghy?
So what would "Captain" refer to ..... what definition should be given to it ...... aircraft bigger than X, flies faster than Y with Z number of seats ?? It's just a name given to the person who is responsible/in charge.