What do the stripes denote?
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What do the stripes denote?
Hi guys
I'm just a casual observer to the aviation scene, and a topic of interest has arisen to my curiousity.
I've noted alot while driving through Bankstown Airport of many GA pilots around the area in uniform, and trying to get my head around what the stripes (Their colour, gold/silver, and number of) on the shoulder pads denote.
That, and I'm also curious as to if there are any customs/traditions as who can don on the uniform in GA, whether it's confined to Professional Pilots or right down to the students, as I've also seen in passing, many students at the flying schools wearing uniforms, yet with only one gold stripe or something.
Thanks for any info provided!
I'm just a casual observer to the aviation scene, and a topic of interest has arisen to my curiousity.
I've noted alot while driving through Bankstown Airport of many GA pilots around the area in uniform, and trying to get my head around what the stripes (Their colour, gold/silver, and number of) on the shoulder pads denote.
That, and I'm also curious as to if there are any customs/traditions as who can don on the uniform in GA, whether it's confined to Professional Pilots or right down to the students, as I've also seen in passing, many students at the flying schools wearing uniforms, yet with only one gold stripe or something.
Thanks for any info provided!
Gday mate ill try to give you (assuming this isnt a wind up) a rough idea.
The color isnt really relevant, different companies in bankstown have different colours. Some are red (aerospace), some are gold (basair) some are silver (no idea).
The number you have (and dont get me wrong, i think epulettes are ridiculous outside the airline world) denotes what 'rank' you are, however its quite varied. Some schools have 1 stripe for students, 2 stripes for G2 and G3 instructors and 3 stripes for G1 instructors. Other schools vary the theme a bit.
Then again i've seen a few ab initio students in 4 bars before so who knows
As for who gets to wear it, well anyone really. My question is though why would you want to unless you had to? You look like a complete muppet in your bars and wings outside the airport and they're the first thing I take off the second im out of work. 
The color isnt really relevant, different companies in bankstown have different colours. Some are red (aerospace), some are gold (basair) some are silver (no idea).
The number you have (and dont get me wrong, i think epulettes are ridiculous outside the airline world) denotes what 'rank' you are, however its quite varied. Some schools have 1 stripe for students, 2 stripes for G2 and G3 instructors and 3 stripes for G1 instructors. Other schools vary the theme a bit.
Then again i've seen a few ab initio students in 4 bars before so who knows
As for who gets to wear it, well anyone really. My question is though why would you want to unless you had to? You look like a complete muppet in your bars and wings outside the airport and they're the first thing I take off the second im out of work.
SkyGod
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Don't know what stripes mean in OZ land, but in the rest of the world ya are supposed to have a many stripes on your shoulders as ya have ex-wifes. 
Seriously however: Being from the old school, we had no stripes in flight school or in any kind of GA airplane.
Nowadays I see flight instructors waltzing to their Cessna 172s with 4 gold bars and their student's sporting 2 or 3 stripes as well.
Guess things have changed:
Back when I was moving up the ranks we used no stripes flying Air Taxi in Alaska on 1 or 2 motor pax planes. A leather jacket and a cotton shirt was the "uniform".
(Yes, we had pants on, and boots in case some of the perverts from JetBlast come around to ask...
)
First time I donned stripes on the shoulders I had over 3000 hours of flight time. 3 stripes then.
A year or so later I got my first pair of 4 stripes...(DC-3) Felt pretty good.
Having the same 4 stripes doing touch 'n goes in a C-172 seems a bit silly.
Although the Cessna Instructors are probably having a good time in front of the mirror every morning.
Inflation I guess.
Seriously however: Being from the old school, we had no stripes in flight school or in any kind of GA airplane.
Nowadays I see flight instructors waltzing to their Cessna 172s with 4 gold bars and their student's sporting 2 or 3 stripes as well.
Guess things have changed:
Back when I was moving up the ranks we used no stripes flying Air Taxi in Alaska on 1 or 2 motor pax planes. A leather jacket and a cotton shirt was the "uniform".
(Yes, we had pants on, and boots in case some of the perverts from JetBlast come around to ask...
)First time I donned stripes on the shoulders I had over 3000 hours of flight time. 3 stripes then.
A year or so later I got my first pair of 4 stripes...(DC-3) Felt pretty good.
Having the same 4 stripes doing touch 'n goes in a C-172 seems a bit silly.
Although the Cessna Instructors are probably having a good time in front of the mirror every morning.
Inflation I guess.
Epulette stripes, well I particularly like the number of wives one has had, most of us have had more than one, an industry hazard I'm afraid!
But seriously, each Airline has it's own convention and it varies, in the old days, all commercial operators had one and they were all gold in colour. From memory it went something like this;
Two Stripes was a First Officer for two crew aircraft or a Second Officer for three crew aircraft.
Three Stripes was for a First Officer with more than 5 years service two crew aircraft, or a First Officer three crew aircraft or a Captain for aircraft less than 5700kg's takeoff weight.
Four Stripes, a Captain aircraft above 5700 kg's takeoff weight
Four Stripes and a pip, a Management Pilot, usually a Check Captain or the Chief Pilot aircraft above 5700 kg's takeoff weight.
The relevance of the 5700 kg's takeoff weight makes these aircraft by regulation exclusively Multi Crew Transport Category Aircraft.
But seriously, each Airline has it's own convention and it varies, in the old days, all commercial operators had one and they were all gold in colour. From memory it went something like this;
Two Stripes was a First Officer for two crew aircraft or a Second Officer for three crew aircraft.
Three Stripes was for a First Officer with more than 5 years service two crew aircraft, or a First Officer three crew aircraft or a Captain for aircraft less than 5700kg's takeoff weight.
Four Stripes, a Captain aircraft above 5700 kg's takeoff weight
Four Stripes and a pip, a Management Pilot, usually a Check Captain or the Chief Pilot aircraft above 5700 kg's takeoff weight.
The relevance of the 5700 kg's takeoff weight makes these aircraft by regulation exclusively Multi Crew Transport Category Aircraft.
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XEPTU
You were close on the >5700 being multi crew - but no cigar!!!
Metro3/23 are certified as single pilot, and can and do operate single pilot in the charter/freight category. Probably King Airs as well.
Metro3/23 are certified as single pilot, and can and do operate single pilot in the charter/freight category. Probably King Airs as well.
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Heard from one sausage factory.
1 bar - Student for CPL
2 Bars - CPL
3 Bars - Instrument or instructor rating
4 Bars - CFI/CP ?
Think it really depends on the organisation you work for. I heard of one operator that liked 4 bars for all it's pilots (SE <5700kg), said that the punters all liked to be flying with a "captain"
Think that the "have to wear one bar and a uniform" as a student is a crock (exceptions for the cadets that are being PAID)
1 bar - Student for CPL
2 Bars - CPL
3 Bars - Instrument or instructor rating
4 Bars - CFI/CP ?
Think it really depends on the organisation you work for. I heard of one operator that liked 4 bars for all it's pilots (SE <5700kg), said that the punters all liked to be flying with a "captain"
Think that the "have to wear one bar and a uniform" as a student is a crock (exceptions for the cadets that are being PAID)
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in instructing
1 bar = grade 3 (some schools skip this and have 2 bars for grade 2 and 3)
2 bars = grade 2
3 bars = grade 1 & ATO
4 Bars = CFI & CP
in charter
2 bars = CPL
3 bars = CPL + MECIR
in some college courses & uni
1 bar = PPL
2 bars = CPL
3 bars = CPL & MECIR or grade 3 SEFIR and course completion.
1 bar = grade 3 (some schools skip this and have 2 bars for grade 2 and 3)
2 bars = grade 2
3 bars = grade 1 & ATO
4 Bars = CFI & CP
in charter
2 bars = CPL
3 bars = CPL + MECIR
in some college courses & uni
1 bar = PPL
2 bars = CPL
3 bars = CPL & MECIR or grade 3 SEFIR and course completion.
Sprucegoose
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None = Wannabee
One = Senior Wannabee
Two = Sandwich Officer
Two and a Half = Bar and Brothel specialist
Three = The one who actually works
Four = Crusty old bastard
Four and a pip = Its my way or the highway
Hope that clears it up!
Cheers, HH.
One = Senior Wannabee
Two = Sandwich Officer
Two and a Half = Bar and Brothel specialist
Three = The one who actually works
Four = Crusty old bastard
Four and a pip = Its my way or the highway
Hope that clears it up!
Cheers, HH.
KIMWEST!
I think I am exactly correct thanks! what aircraft above 5700kg is not exclusively multi crew and more importantly exclusively a Transport Category Aircraft.
The KingAir and I'm not sure about the Metro23 is "not above 5700 kg's" and although Transport Cat figures are produce by Beechcraft it's still deemed to be a Normal Category Aircraft.
I want my Cigar
I think I am exactly correct thanks! what aircraft above 5700kg is not exclusively multi crew and more importantly exclusively a Transport Category Aircraft.
The KingAir and I'm not sure about the Metro23 is "not above 5700 kg's" and although Transport Cat figures are produce by Beechcraft it's still deemed to be a Normal Category Aircraft.
I want my Cigar
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XEPTU
Still no cigar!!!!!!!!!! No of pilots required is derived from the certification statement in the AFM (Aircraft Flight Manual)- including over 5700 kg. You might remember Impulse using their Beech 1800's for night freight with one pilot.
Kimwest: Yep! I do and you are quite right, I stand technically corrected, those were the good ol days.
Stickwiththetruth:
Dont forget the the pip = Two dicks with balls
Stickwiththetruth:
Dont forget the the pip = Two dicks with balls
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The only color for stripes is GOLD !!!!!
1 = wrote-off an aircraft on SPL
2 = wrote-off an aircraft on PPL
3 = wrote-off an aircraft on CPL
4 = wrote-off an aircraft on ATPL
Hard won - eat your heart out!
R
1 = wrote-off an aircraft on SPL
2 = wrote-off an aircraft on PPL
3 = wrote-off an aircraft on CPL
4 = wrote-off an aircraft on ATPL
Hard won - eat your heart out!
R
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Keep your hands on the joystick!
Once met an ultralight instructor who sported 4 bars on his epaulettes, I think they were for the number of in flight engine failures he'd survived!! 