Why wear gloves?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 682
Likes: 16
From: Out of a bag
Why wear gloves?
I've got a question for you military aircrew - Why do you wear flying gloves?
It just occured to me that when I was able to visit the flight deck on civvy flights, I never saw the pilots wearing flying gloves, so why do military pilots wear them?
It just occured to me that when I was able to visit the flight deck on civvy flights, I never saw the pilots wearing flying gloves, so why do military pilots wear them?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 682
Likes: 16
From: Out of a bag
The reason I ask is that I'm just about to get into flying, albeit civilan light aircraft with a view to ATPL in the end.
I've not noticed many, if any, civilians pilots wearing flying gloves, so wondered if there was a particular reason.
I guess in the civilian world, personal preference comes into play.
I've not noticed many, if any, civilians pilots wearing flying gloves, so wondered if there was a particular reason.
I guess in the civilian world, personal preference comes into play.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Nigit
wg100
It's a fire retardence thing. Most of us military folk fly in clothing designed to slow/lessen the impact of a flash fire, which is a bit more likely for us in an incident. If an airliner crashes, however, there is a higher chance of complete destruction (as there are no accelerated departure means), so a flash fire would be the least of your worries.
Having learnt the civvy way myself, there is little or no heed paid to the risks of flash fires when it comes down to flying attire. The risk is entirely yours. Whilst I'm not saying you should wear a flyng suit every time you strap on your C152 (you would be right royally sneered at), gloves may just give you that extra few seconds of manual dexterity to open the escape hatch should you find yourself in a field engulfed in flames. It's a balance for you between comfort and protection, especially in the summer. A good compromise would be a thin, cotton, long-sleeved roll neck (a bit like ours, but maybe a bit less olive drab), over the polyester, short-sleeved M&S shirt.
It's a fire retardence thing. Most of us military folk fly in clothing designed to slow/lessen the impact of a flash fire, which is a bit more likely for us in an incident. If an airliner crashes, however, there is a higher chance of complete destruction (as there are no accelerated departure means), so a flash fire would be the least of your worries.
Having learnt the civvy way myself, there is little or no heed paid to the risks of flash fires when it comes down to flying attire. The risk is entirely yours. Whilst I'm not saying you should wear a flyng suit every time you strap on your C152 (you would be right royally sneered at), gloves may just give you that extra few seconds of manual dexterity to open the escape hatch should you find yourself in a field engulfed in flames. It's a balance for you between comfort and protection, especially in the summer. A good compromise would be a thin, cotton, long-sleeved roll neck (a bit like ours, but maybe a bit less olive drab), over the polyester, short-sleeved M&S shirt.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: St Sardos, France
Eh!!
A good compromise would be a thin, cotton, long-sleeved roll neck (a bit like ours, but maybe a bit less olive drab), over the polyester, short-sleeved M&S shirt.
dunno about that bit............sounds a bit "melty"
MoJo
dunno about that bit............sounds a bit "melty"
MoJo
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,700
Likes: 54
From: Lincolnshire
Don't discard the idea of a flying suit as they have lots of handy pockets etc.
Don't try and buy a military one however which would get you sneered at. There are plenty of others on the market. The military ones, certainly the Britmil, are built for all shapes and for comfort - they are not designed for nonchalant elegance - unless you are a Harrier pilot.
Don't try and buy a military one however which would get you sneered at. There are plenty of others on the market. The military ones, certainly the Britmil, are built for all shapes and for comfort - they are not designed for nonchalant elegance - unless you are a Harrier pilot.
Red On, Green On
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,490
Likes: 2
From: Between the woods and the water
The RN introduced smart poly-cotton shirts for working uniform (no. 8s) - and found 25 years ago that they melted onto burning skin. No fun for the wearer or the medical teams trying to save them.
They went back to the all cotton shirts.
They went back to the all cotton shirts.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: In my box!
I think the main reason for civvies not wearing gloves is the cost between 28 - 32 pound a pair! For the classic mil gloves. I prefer the US issue gloves myself. Scrounged a nice sandy coloured pair in Iraq!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Nigit
Originally posted by ProfessionalStudent
Originally posted by mojocvh
I agree that in this context using "over" when making a comprison is a little confusing! Rather than "over", I should have less amibiguously written "rather than".
A good compromise would be a thin, cotton, long-sleeved roll neck (a bit like ours, but maybe a bit less olive drab), over the polyester, short-sleeved M&S shirt.
dunno about that bit............sounds a bit "melty"
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: South of Penge
"Most of us military folk fly in clothing designed to slow/lessen the impact of a flash fire, which is a bit more likely for us in an incident. "
If you're cold and miserable - just chuck your flying suit on the fire. Learned that one at what used to be the RAF I.A.M. in days of yore.
Anything changed?
If you're cold and miserable - just chuck your flying suit on the fire. Learned that one at what used to be the RAF I.A.M. in days of yore.
Anything changed?
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 210
From: Location: Location!
An abbreviated quote from Stockingshq.com regarding the views of their G5 crew:
"Our pilots are qualified on just about anything that flies. Both have previous military experience and our captain flew for Pan Am for many years. I asked him yesterday if he was familiar with any restriction or recommendation by the NTSB, the FAA or any other agency against women wearing nylons in flight. My wife wears nylons exclusively. He said he was completely unaware of any such warning and he added that if the inside of the plane ever got hot enough to melt nylon, fashion would not be our first concern. Good ole Jack! What a kidder!"
That said, I'm with A_A, and surely nylon (and similar) socks et al have been banned for military aircrew since time imemorial.
Jack
"Our pilots are qualified on just about anything that flies. Both have previous military experience and our captain flew for Pan Am for many years. I asked him yesterday if he was familiar with any restriction or recommendation by the NTSB, the FAA or any other agency against women wearing nylons in flight. My wife wears nylons exclusively. He said he was completely unaware of any such warning and he added that if the inside of the plane ever got hot enough to melt nylon, fashion would not be our first concern. Good ole Jack! What a kidder!"
That said, I'm with A_A, and surely nylon (and similar) socks et al have been banned for military aircrew since time imemorial.
Jack