Flying Suits, a question of....
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Flying Suits, a question of....
Hi, I'm reasonably new to this, so if it has been asked before please tell me to naff off.…
I have recently acquired some ex RAF flying kit from a mate who has had a clear out in his loft. The said suits fit me very well and are all in very good condition.
My question is: What is the general opinion of using flying suits and other kit in private flying?
I'm not wanting to pose around in it at all but do get slightly fed up with kneeling under aircraft doing the usual checks only to find that I often get grass stains on a good pair of jeans or covered in mud/grease on other occasions.
Apart from the value from the fire safety point of view, are they shunned or if you have them should you use them?
Any replies would be welcome particularly from the ex-services guys, what do you think?...
I have recently acquired some ex RAF flying kit from a mate who has had a clear out in his loft. The said suits fit me very well and are all in very good condition.
My question is: What is the general opinion of using flying suits and other kit in private flying?
I'm not wanting to pose around in it at all but do get slightly fed up with kneeling under aircraft doing the usual checks only to find that I often get grass stains on a good pair of jeans or covered in mud/grease on other occasions.
Apart from the value from the fire safety point of view, are they shunned or if you have them should you use them?
Any replies would be welcome particularly from the ex-services guys, what do you think?...
Last edited by Av18tor; 14th Jun 2004 at 17:44.
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There is a long running thread on this very issue here enjoy reading it and make up your mind.
I think most folks thinks that this sort of stuff is OK to wear if you fly something which was not very ergonomically designed and with 'normal' clothing you may get stuck behind levers etc.
For flying most GA stuff they seem a bit over the top, although the fire retardant properties can not be shunned if it is the proper Nomex stuff.
FD
I think most folks thinks that this sort of stuff is OK to wear if you fly something which was not very ergonomically designed and with 'normal' clothing you may get stuck behind levers etc.
For flying most GA stuff they seem a bit over the top, although the fire retardant properties can not be shunned if it is the proper Nomex stuff.
FD
First off, I held on to mine and would wear it (minus badges......) if I felt the need to (primarily if I felt there might be a fire risk). I certainly still wear the calf skin gloves all the time, as they are both practical and fire resistant.
On the very odd occasion that I have worn the old flying suit I've been the subject of a bit of critical comment, so I've decided to get one made up to the same pattern, in the same Proban material, as the ex-mil one, but in black instead of olive drab.
There's no doubt that a flying suit can be very practical, but I guess the real issue is one of style and image. I personally think that those who wear ex-mil kit when flying light civil A/C, complete with badges etc look complete t*ss*rs, but that's just my opinion. If I was going for a whizz in an old warbird, then I'd feel quite comfy wearing my old suit (although it is a little tight around the midriff now........). Climbing into a Cessna in the same attire somehow seems innappriate.
On the very odd occasion that I have worn the old flying suit I've been the subject of a bit of critical comment, so I've decided to get one made up to the same pattern, in the same Proban material, as the ex-mil one, but in black instead of olive drab.
There's no doubt that a flying suit can be very practical, but I guess the real issue is one of style and image. I personally think that those who wear ex-mil kit when flying light civil A/C, complete with badges etc look complete t*ss*rs, but that's just my opinion. If I was going for a whizz in an old warbird, then I'd feel quite comfy wearing my old suit (although it is a little tight around the midriff now........). Climbing into a Cessna in the same attire somehow seems innappriate.
Not so N, but still FG
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My flying suit is black, badgeless and, as some rude person said, "fits where it touches" . It's too hot to wear it at the moment, but I'm not getting a white one, as what with my big hair and all, I might get mistaken for Patty Wagstaff.
http://www.pattywagstaff.com/gallery1.html#
http://www.pattywagstaff.com/gallery1.html#
Out of interest FNG, where did you get it (if you don't mind me asking)?
I was thinking of getting someone os a tailoring persuasion to just copy my old ex-mil one (with a modest increase in girth), but if there is a source of ready made black ones then I'd be interested in taking a look see.
I was thinking of getting someone os a tailoring persuasion to just copy my old ex-mil one (with a modest increase in girth), but if there is a source of ready made black ones then I'd be interested in taking a look see.
Not so N, but still FG
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It was a gift from a friend in the Army Air Corps, who wore it during his season on the display team. He also gave me his gloves, and his Breitling holdall (in which my parachute now lives), but not, alas, the free Breitling watch (well, he did actually, swapping it for my Tag Heuer whilst we were pished up in the Bar at Wattisham, but our wives made us swap them back).
I have seen black flying suits in the Pooleys shop at Elstree (also orange ones, yuck). Also, you might check where the police get theirs, as they are black or very dark blue.
I have seen black flying suits in the Pooleys shop at Elstree (also orange ones, yuck). Also, you might check where the police get theirs, as they are black or very dark blue.
VP959, if you go to www.silvermans.co.uk they do copy Luftwaffe suits in grey, green, black, or Warton Orange for £45 a throw.
If they are anything like the original Luftwaffe suits, buy them a size too big - they shrink in the wash !
G
If they are anything like the original Luftwaffe suits, buy them a size too big - they shrink in the wash !
G
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Thanks for your answers and the links to the previous threads, (must get the hang of this search thing) well I think I have found my answer.
Maybe there is a badge that could be worn on the suit, maybe I should market one, The inscription could read something like
"Its a flying suit whats the problem?!" or "This suit is here for my protection" or similar.
My flying club instructors are all for it and think that more people should wear some form of protective clothing when flying. So for now it will have to be the ex RAF ones but will try the other companies mentioned when these need to be replaced.
Thanks again.
Maybe there is a badge that could be worn on the suit, maybe I should market one, The inscription could read something like
"Its a flying suit whats the problem?!" or "This suit is here for my protection" or similar.
My flying club instructors are all for it and think that more people should wear some form of protective clothing when flying. So for now it will have to be the ex RAF ones but will try the other companies mentioned when these need to be replaced.
Thanks again.
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Just one point - if you're wearing a flying suit for fire protection (as opposed to clothing protection) remember to wear suitable (ie fire retardant or natural fibres) under it too.
There's no point in wearing a flame retardant suit then becoming incapacitated because your socks (or worse, underpants) melted on to you because of the heat.
P
There's no point in wearing a flame retardant suit then becoming incapacitated because your socks (or worse, underpants) melted on to you because of the heat.
P
Ta for the info FNG, I might try and tap one of my AAC chaps up for a suitable "scrounging contact" at MW.
Cheers for the link G, I agree with FNG and wonder who exactly are the major customers for a company like this.
I agree about synthetic fibres. One thing that always puzzled me was why my standard issue grey watch strap was obviously made of meltable synthetic material, as was the horrid knitted replacement for the old wooly bear undersuit. Not doubt cost came into the equation somewhere...........
Cheers for the link G, I agree with FNG and wonder who exactly are the major customers for a company like this.
I agree about synthetic fibres. One thing that always puzzled me was why my standard issue grey watch strap was obviously made of meltable synthetic material, as was the horrid knitted replacement for the old wooly bear undersuit. Not doubt cost came into the equation somewhere...........
I suspect that the main customers are servicemen who have been issued with substandard kit and can't get the system to give them something better.
After that, no doubt a fair proportion of war correspondents, soldier wanabees, stalkers (deer, not people), re-enactors, kit collectors, paintballers - and I'm sure one or two people who shouldn't be allowed out in public unsupervised, I can think of a mutual acquaintance with a penchant for pointy hats who would probably happily shop there far more than would be healthy.
Plus of-course, pilots looking for a cheap, non-green, flying coverall.
Noticeable if you browse the site that most of the "sharper" items they'll only deliver to a military address - which is fair enough.
G
After that, no doubt a fair proportion of war correspondents, soldier wanabees, stalkers (deer, not people), re-enactors, kit collectors, paintballers - and I'm sure one or two people who shouldn't be allowed out in public unsupervised, I can think of a mutual acquaintance with a penchant for pointy hats who would probably happily shop there far more than would be healthy.
Plus of-course, pilots looking for a cheap, non-green, flying coverall.
Noticeable if you browse the site that most of the "sharper" items they'll only deliver to a military address - which is fair enough.
G
Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 15th Jun 2004 at 13:51.
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Av18tor,
Wear a flying suit if and when you like ... and if other people don't like it, that's their problem.
In my experience, the biggest problem with flying suits is that they are uncomfortable in hot weather (I recall seeing a bunch of US navy pilots wearing them at Sun 'n' Fun last year: boy did they look hot and bothered!); but for actual flying, rather than on the ground, they are usually just fine.
MLS-12D
Wear a flying suit if and when you like ... and if other people don't like it, that's their problem.
In my experience, the biggest problem with flying suits is that they are uncomfortable in hot weather (I recall seeing a bunch of US navy pilots wearing them at Sun 'n' Fun last year: boy did they look hot and bothered!); but for actual flying, rather than on the ground, they are usually just fine.
MLS-12D
If worried about the sartorial statement, leave it in the aeroplane - put in on before you untie, and take it off after tieing down. The safety benefit rarely counts in the clubhouse.
And if it's too hot, don't wear anything under it.
G
And if it's too hot, don't wear anything under it.
G
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And if it's too hot, don't wear anything under it
I wear one on the rare occasions I can afford to fly the chipmunk - not least because it gives me somewhere to put my pens etc! I also wear one in my new toy as it helps keep the grass cuttings out of my underwear.
