Flying Clothing & Fire
 

In the light of the recent air accident in Salford, where the pilots have survived the initial accident, but are now critical with 60-70% burns, I wondered whether clothing is ever a safety consideration.

I have always considered cotton, wool or leather clothing most appropriate when flying, along with leather cloves, which in the event of an accident reduces cuts to the hands and in the event of the fire, means you have the use of your hands to exit. More recently, I visited a commercial flying school where the student pilots were issued with nylon flying jackets!! I also can recall that on more than on occassion I have had to point out to students or flight exam candidates, that there clothing wasn't the most appropriate, this includes, sandals, shorts and skimpy dresses.

On the other hand should we just go the full way and revert to flying coveralls and gloves. I have a feeling that was done at Hamble, perhaps someone can clarify that. Coveralls also have the advantage of being organised in terms of pens, checklists, kneeboards. I appreciate that there is a resistance to this because it's percieved as pretentious. But then twenty years ago, cycle helmets were precieved as a bit odd, but nowadays most cyclists wear them.

It would be interesting to know other instructors/examiners thoughts.

The risk of accident against hours flown is pretty low. An unfortunate incident but I don't think flying coveralls would have changed the outcome.

Flying is a recreational activity at one end and transport at the other. if you start requiring people to dress up to mitigate what is a very low risk you will turn even more people of the activity and in this day and age we can ill afford it. I use a flying suit when flying something like the chippy as I need the pockets, but I would feel a right pike getting out of my Cessna in one. I can't see work mandating a flying suit for me either as it would probably disturb the punters somewhat.... 'Why is the Captain wearing fire retardant gear when you told is flying was safe' comes to mind...... ;)

Sometimes we just have to live with an element of risk.

Personally I never interfere with my exam candidates choice of clothing, but the the likelihood is they are dressed like me anyway.......

I agree with bose-x that the risk is low however, the wearing of nylon garments is not a good idea and I suspect most pilots don't think about it. A bit like flying in shorts, but then we wear short sleeved shirts and I can recall operating C130s in KD shorts in Africa.

Nylon was No-No in the RAF and I think the current trend to fly in Hi-Vis clothing in aircraft generates more danger than safety and should be avoided. It also generates static and we prance around Avgas pumps where we can't use a phone that might generate 1.5 volts RF in a jacket that can produce 400V!

I wasn't suggesting making fire retardent clothing mandatory, there are to many rules as it is, just it would be better if our safety culture was more accepting of coveralls and gloves, and that students were more aware of appropriate clothing.

I remember there was an AIC on this years ago, following on from the Falklands conflict and a flying club ordered new unforms at great cost, only for the intstructors to refuse to wear them because of the sythetic fabric!

Incidently, one of the crew in the Salford accident who had 70% has now died.

At work I'm a bit of a clothing fascist, and often have arguments on this subject.

A lot of people nowadays think that jeans and a cotton t-shirt is acceptable dress for all and any occasions. Actually, being all natural fibres, it's pretty sensible for work on an aeroplane - although a long sleeve cotton shirt is more sensible still. Getting people to then wear non-synthetic shoes is harder - it appears that many younger people nowadays own nothing but trainers?

Fleeces, polyester hoodies, and wearing hi-viz in the cockpit all need firmly stamping out. In my opinion.

For myself, I wear a nomex suit for a lot of my flying - it keeps other clothes clean, the pockets are useful, it leaves very little exposed skin. In the vintage and homebuilt worlds most pilots are quite happy to do the same - it's this assumption that being in an aeroplane is the same as being in a car that irritates me in the certified GA world. Occasionally people make sarcastic comments if I get spotted getting out of a PA28 or similar wearing a nomex suit - so what !

There are too many flying schools who think it's more important to look like an airline pilot (usually in glorious flammable polycotton), than to dress appropriately to a small aeroplane cockpit. The same schools mind you who probably don't bother with parachutes when demonstrating spinning or aerobatics :ugh: It's perfectly possible to look smart, AND be safe, for a little aeroplane cockpit. Schools who wear "uniform" cotton polo shirts and cotton trousers are probably adopting a sensible clothing compromise.

G

It really depends on the mentality of the operator. I have been with those in Oz who think flame-proof suits scare off students and clients and so they insist on wearing their starched polyester shirts. I felt a right prat walking into their midst wearing my full length Nomex complete with ANR helmet.

At a similar operator in a warmer climate (also in Oz), everyone who flies for a living wears Nomex overalls and don helmets without exception.

Comparing the two, who's the greater fool ?

My goodness, we'll be wearing high vis. jackets on the apron soon, that'l be the day!

At my flight school we were given a new uniform, 100 % polyester. I refused to wear it, claiming it's highly flammable. Incidentally, the new cheap trousers totally lacked shape and style and I could legitimately use my old, less flammable, smart looking trousers ;)

On the other hand, I am quite liberal when it comes to clothing. Yes I admit, when I fly privately I use shorts, T-shirt, maybe even sandals at times. But considering the temperature in southern California it would be totally unrealistic to force myself and my passengers to wear overalls when temperature reaches 50 deg C inside the aircraft. What is a greater threat??

I wear cotton, wool, and leather shoes all the time while flying. The only nylon I own is life jackets, and immersion suits, which I do wear while flying. It's a compromise - but always cotton/wool underneath! I'm also a volunteer firefighter, so I could be getting into turnout gear on short notice - I'm hardly going to wear nylon/polyester under that!

While flight testing for a manufacturer, they insisted I wear a nomex flight suit, which was fine with me. I may go looking for one for other flight testing I do. It would look odd getting out of the my 150 following "regular" flying, but, so does the immersion suit!

Back when I did ballooning I learned the importance of non-synthetic clothing. Since then I make sure that jackets/vests are NOT nylon or other synthetic material. Especially in winter people seem to forget what their anoracs are made of. I managed to find a thick, cotton flight jacket in my size at an airshow once and immediately bought it... most others were all nylon. :yuk:

I have a cotton overall that I used to wear for ballooning and in competitions but otherwise jeans and sneakers plus cotton t-shirt, shirt, or blouse.

Sandals I think are dangerous... even in cars they can snag the pedal. Otherwise shoes should just fit well. I once knew I pilot who used to fly in the Bahamas bare-footed at all times, and a banner pilot who flew in skirts and high heels. So what.... if it works for them.

Skimpy dresses get a massive thumbs up from me :ok:

Also, these necklace style ID cards that some schools issue seem a sensible idea as well. Obviously to be worn round the neck at all times for immediate use whilst in aircraft. Perfectly hung to get caught around the controls during flight! or in an evacuation!

Dont forget your leather gloves so you can operate all the controls when you have a cockpit fire too!

Proper ones have a quick release pull at the nap of your neck. Any other types have been banned for commercial crews.