Sunglasses
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Middle East / UK
Age: 45
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You can wear what ever you like. Most people have their own preference and there are MANY great sunglasses on the market. I absolutely LOVE my glasses, Oakley Eye Jackets. I bought them on holiday in Orlando, Florida in the Sunglasses Hut. I am not saying by any means that these are the best, but I think they are fantastic. The one thing you have to look out for is that they are not polarised. This affects the vision from the glasses, and can make some symbols on an EFIS screen dissappear!!
Eff Oh <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Eff Oh <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
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spudskier,. .The ALPA website has an article concerning vision for pilots you may want to check out. It discusses several issues, but has a great section on sunglasses for pilots. Go to the ALPA website at <a href="http://www.alpa.org" target="_blank">www.alpa.org</a> and use the search. The title of the article is "Optimum Vision for Pilots".
The article does mention that pilots should stay away from polarized glasses because they can cause visual distortion through the windscreen.
Eff Oh - by the way, the distortion on the EFIS tubes may be because your glasses are polarized. I had some polarized lenses that fit over my prescription glasses. I had to quit using them because various screens in the cockpit would be blocked out by the polarization. Also, the windscreen would have dark blotches all over them. Now I just squint into the sun.
The article does mention that pilots should stay away from polarized glasses because they can cause visual distortion through the windscreen.
Eff Oh - by the way, the distortion on the EFIS tubes may be because your glasses are polarized. I had some polarized lenses that fit over my prescription glasses. I had to quit using them because various screens in the cockpit would be blocked out by the polarization. Also, the windscreen would have dark blotches all over them. Now I just squint into the sun.
Join Date: Apr 2000
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LOOK UP: You are absolutely right! My lenses are not polarised, therefore I don't have that problem. I was aware of it though, and was giving spudskier a heads up on it. I think it is something that can be quite important, yet not a lot of people know about it. (Very Michael Caine! 
) Especially as sunglasses are often quite expensive! LOOK UP what do you use now??. .Eff Oh. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
) Especially as sunglasses are often quite expensive! LOOK UP what do you use now??. .Eff Oh. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Eff Oh,. .I wear prescription glasses in the cockpit, and being the stingy sort (i.e. still a regional airline FO) I have been unwilling to buy any new sunglasses. I have found the adjustable sunblocker in the cockpit does an adequate job of blocking the sun even if flying directly into it. It is quite dark, but you can easily pick out air traffic through it when the sun is in your eyes.
I will also pull up the yellow colored sun shade on the side window if the sun is really bright from the side. However, it is not as easy to see through (especially when they get old and krinkled up), so I will only pull that up in the flight levels.
Maybe when I make Captain I will be able to afford some nice prescription sunglasses. I rarely find myself wishing I had some, though. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
I will also pull up the yellow colored sun shade on the side window if the sun is really bright from the side. However, it is not as easy to see through (especially when they get old and krinkled up), so I will only pull that up in the flight levels.
Maybe when I make Captain I will be able to afford some nice prescription sunglasses. I rarely find myself wishing I had some, though. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Oakley e-wires with gold iridium lenses. Look great too.
<img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Or just pull down your dark visor on your Mk 10 helmet.
Edited for not knowing anything about flight decks!
[ 05 February 2002: Message edited by: Fox_4 ]</p>
<img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Or just pull down your dark visor on your Mk 10 helmet.
Edited for not knowing anything about flight decks!
[ 05 February 2002: Message edited by: Fox_4 ]</p>
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Randolph Eng Sunglasses.
Got hold of a pair when at a US BX .Never looked back since and dont use the dark visor much any more. .Infact when that perticular frame gave up .I sent it back to them asking if they could repair it .2 weeks later a brand new set ,no charge came in the post!!!!
I use the grey lenses for good colour contrast and they are not polarized.. . <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
Got hold of a pair when at a US BX .Never looked back since and dont use the dark visor much any more. .Infact when that perticular frame gave up .I sent it back to them asking if they could repair it .2 weeks later a brand new set ,no charge came in the post!!!!
I use the grey lenses for good colour contrast and they are not polarized.. . <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
Join Date: Apr 2000
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Nice one LOOK UP.. .I know what you mean! <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> I think you can get prescription Oakleys etc. I enquired about them but was told that the lenses alone would be at least £400 GBP!!! <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> Then you had to buy the frames! I just used non prescription Oakleys as my eyes arn't that bad, but I also use a pair of Hugo Boss prescrition lenses, but they aint that great at all. <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> . .Eff Oh
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I do wonder if paying large amounts of money for branded sunglasses is worth it ?
I use Ray Bans in the 'office', recentley bought a pair of discounted Silouettes (titanium hingless frame, very light) but found they gave me a headache and reduced the contrast of the screens, returned them for a refund.
I have warn cheap sunglasses in my car, of which you can buy numerous types and expensive brand 'lookalikes' for a £1 to £5.
If you visit say 'Wilkinsinsons' they have a large selection for a £1 all certified 100% UV, I have worn a pair of those in my car for a few years and find they give perfect vision.
Wether cheap sunglasses are damaging my eyes is the question, but I suspect they are churned out of the same factories in the far east as many of the leading brands selling for nearer the £100 mark.
I should add I still think Ray Bans lenses are good, and medically proven, and would be reluctant to wear anything else at work.
I use Ray Bans in the 'office', recentley bought a pair of discounted Silouettes (titanium hingless frame, very light) but found they gave me a headache and reduced the contrast of the screens, returned them for a refund.
I have warn cheap sunglasses in my car, of which you can buy numerous types and expensive brand 'lookalikes' for a £1 to £5.
If you visit say 'Wilkinsinsons' they have a large selection for a £1 all certified 100% UV, I have worn a pair of those in my car for a few years and find they give perfect vision.
Wether cheap sunglasses are damaging my eyes is the question, but I suspect they are churned out of the same factories in the far east as many of the leading brands selling for nearer the £100 mark.
I should add I still think Ray Bans lenses are good, and medically proven, and would be reluctant to wear anything else at work.
Join Date: May 2002
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I also swear by my Serengeti sunglasses.Basically they incorparate a filter which adapts to the changes in light conditions.Depending on the changes in light intensity, the lenses darker or lighten accordingly.I think the technology is called Photochromatic lense or something.Also the glass lenses don't scratch so easily- if at all.
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Throughout the years I've had most of the brands mentioned above and NONE compares to the Vuarnet PX3000 pair I've been using for the past 12 months. They are pricey but I couldn't recommend them highly enough for their superb quality, comfort and rigidity.
I posted the following some time ago - reposted for your interest:
I have a pair of Varilux type prescription specs which I had made with a graduated neutral tint of 75% reduction (#2) from about the top third rapidly graduating to fully clear on the med/short range portion and they work very well. The tint seems at first not to block much light but for traffic detection it should not be any denser. I've just checked them and a pair of company issue RayBans with my camera exposure meter and they both give a 2 stop reduction; I think that's 75%
The following is an interesting article which I have in a flight safety magazine but cannot find on the web:
Pilots' sunglasses: mystique or mandate? By: Dully FE, Jr.
Formerly Field Associate Professor of Aviation Safety, Institute of Safety & Systems management, University of Southern California.
The salient points are as follows:
1. Use glass or polycarbonate; not soft plastic which does not block UV.
2. For traffic/target detection: no darker than number 2 which blocks 70% of light; i.e. transmits 30%.
3. Wearing Brown #2 a 20/20 (UK 6/6) remains almost 20/20. Looking for traffic, the pilot should remove them. A US Naval report found that tinted visor wearers were at a 1.8nm disadvantage in target acquisition!
4. Green or grey are said to give the least colour distortion.
Brown will enhance contrast and block some blue.
Yellow #1 (i.e. colour filters, not sunglasses) can enhance visibility in low level poor vis caused by smog.
5. As soon a light levels/glare, drops remove sunglasses.
6. Photochromatic (most Serengeti?) lenses are not suitable for aviation use nor are polarisers.
I have a pair of Varilux type prescription specs which I had made with a graduated neutral tint of 75% reduction (#2) from about the top third rapidly graduating to fully clear on the med/short range portion and they work very well. The tint seems at first not to block much light but for traffic detection it should not be any denser. I've just checked them and a pair of company issue RayBans with my camera exposure meter and they both give a 2 stop reduction; I think that's 75%
The following is an interesting article which I have in a flight safety magazine but cannot find on the web:
Pilots' sunglasses: mystique or mandate? By: Dully FE, Jr.
Formerly Field Associate Professor of Aviation Safety, Institute of Safety & Systems management, University of Southern California.
The salient points are as follows:
1. Use glass or polycarbonate; not soft plastic which does not block UV.
2. For traffic/target detection: no darker than number 2 which blocks 70% of light; i.e. transmits 30%.
3. Wearing Brown #2 a 20/20 (UK 6/6) remains almost 20/20. Looking for traffic, the pilot should remove them. A US Naval report found that tinted visor wearers were at a 1.8nm disadvantage in target acquisition!
4. Green or grey are said to give the least colour distortion.
Brown will enhance contrast and block some blue.
Yellow #1 (i.e. colour filters, not sunglasses) can enhance visibility in low level poor vis caused by smog.
5. As soon a light levels/glare, drops remove sunglasses.
6. Photochromatic (most Serengeti?) lenses are not suitable for aviation use nor are polarisers.
