Epaulettes
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Epaulettes
Hi all !
Let me first defuse the comments of the (very few) cynics around here: getting my JAR-PPL has been a significant investment, a major intellectual effort and a substantial time investment. I am very proud of being a PPL holder. And now the terrible part... : I would like to wear 'epaulettes' or shoulder bars.
Feel free to bash if it makes you feel good.
My question is whether there are any formal or tacit rules re: epaulettes for non-professional pilots. I don't want to wear four-stripes; that's not the points. But what do 1 stripe and 2 stripe mean, for example ?
Any help or direction would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
L
Let me first defuse the comments of the (very few) cynics around here: getting my JAR-PPL has been a significant investment, a major intellectual effort and a substantial time investment. I am very proud of being a PPL holder. And now the terrible part... : I would like to wear 'epaulettes' or shoulder bars.
Feel free to bash if it makes you feel good.
My question is whether there are any formal or tacit rules re: epaulettes for non-professional pilots. I don't want to wear four-stripes; that's not the points. But what do 1 stripe and 2 stripe mean, for example ?
Any help or direction would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
L
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Loewy,
Presuming your post was a serious one:
Congratulations and welcome to the community! Gaining your PPL is absolutely an achievement to be proud of and to be celebrated. You've put a lot of money, time, and emotional investment into it and the day finally arrives when your license comes in the post! You've got every justification for wanting people to know what you've achieved.
But (there's always a but, isn't there?), if you're a PPL and just flying as a hobby, can I suggest finding another way to display your achievement? Maybe something less conspicuous like a PPL lapel pin or something like that?
Wearing epaulettes will make you a target of merciless harassment and derision; not only from the non-pilots in your life but especially from your flying peers. Wearing of epaulettes by formal flying schools, like Cabair, is seen in the PPL community as a bit poncy but understandable as they're training future airline pilots and want to start them out on a professional track. But you'll get no slack from other PPLs if you wear epaulettes just to go and rent out the club PA28 and, in fact, they may think you a bit of a tw*t. It's just not done. I'm just trying to save you some agro here but feel free to wear them if you really want to.
As to what they mean, there is no "standard" as they are very much a company thing. BA uses silver (they'd have you believe it's Platinum
), 4 bars for Capt, 3 for Sr 1st Officer, 2 for 1st Officer. Virgin use gold for, I think, similar rankings. The meaning varies completely depending on what any one company wants it to mean.
Enjoy your PPL!
Pitts2112
Presuming your post was a serious one:
Congratulations and welcome to the community! Gaining your PPL is absolutely an achievement to be proud of and to be celebrated. You've put a lot of money, time, and emotional investment into it and the day finally arrives when your license comes in the post! You've got every justification for wanting people to know what you've achieved.
But (there's always a but, isn't there?), if you're a PPL and just flying as a hobby, can I suggest finding another way to display your achievement? Maybe something less conspicuous like a PPL lapel pin or something like that?
Wearing epaulettes will make you a target of merciless harassment and derision; not only from the non-pilots in your life but especially from your flying peers. Wearing of epaulettes by formal flying schools, like Cabair, is seen in the PPL community as a bit poncy but understandable as they're training future airline pilots and want to start them out on a professional track. But you'll get no slack from other PPLs if you wear epaulettes just to go and rent out the club PA28 and, in fact, they may think you a bit of a tw*t. It's just not done. I'm just trying to save you some agro here but feel free to wear them if you really want to.
As to what they mean, there is no "standard" as they are very much a company thing. BA uses silver (they'd have you believe it's Platinum
), 4 bars for Capt, 3 for Sr 1st Officer, 2 for 1st Officer. Virgin use gold for, I think, similar rankings. The meaning varies completely depending on what any one company wants it to mean.Enjoy your PPL!
Pitts2112
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You'll have the p*** taken massively (and correctly in my view!).
I can't think of a good reason for wearing them in a PPL environment other than as an ego massaging device.
Pitts2112 has given you the "rank" that the different bars mean, but as a PPL, you have as little right to wear them as you do to term yourself Captain away from the a/c.
In an airline, they are worn to denote rank since you have more than one member of a crew. In private flying, there is only one pilot, so obviously they are the "captain", so therefore there is no need for differentiation, since the only other people in the a/c are "passengers" and they certainly don't need to wear rank insignia.
Wear wings if you want,afterall you are a licenced pilot and have earned these, but airline insignia should be left to airline crews. Personally I have always taken off my bars as soon as I left the airport since to me they become meaningless away from the job.
I can't think of a good reason for wearing them in a PPL environment other than as an ego massaging device.
Pitts2112 has given you the "rank" that the different bars mean, but as a PPL, you have as little right to wear them as you do to term yourself Captain away from the a/c.
In an airline, they are worn to denote rank since you have more than one member of a crew. In private flying, there is only one pilot, so obviously they are the "captain", so therefore there is no need for differentiation, since the only other people in the a/c are "passengers" and they certainly don't need to wear rank insignia.
Wear wings if you want,afterall you are a licenced pilot and have earned these, but airline insignia should be left to airline crews. Personally I have always taken off my bars as soon as I left the airport since to me they become meaningless away from the job.
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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Congratulations on gaining your PPL. It's a great achievement and one to be coveted.
Keep in mind the following though. Some of us wear varying numbers of bars for our jobs (three for me). The aeroplane I fly for fun requires me to wear a knackered old RAF grow-bag to keep to keep the oil off (and stop me burning if it all goes horribly wrong), which is badgeless. There are a number of people I know who are infinitely better qualified than I, who turn up at the club looking infinitely more worn than I (most of whom wear four bars for a living and I defy you to pick the out in them flying club).
One in particular, I've seen in T-shirt, Bermuda shorts and a very suspect hat.
(He used to instruct on Hawks and has been kind enough to teach me a thing or ten, so he's forgiven - apart from the hat) 
If I could be so bold, you don't need bars unless you're earning a living and your passengers expect to see them. The bit of paper and the fact you can fly an aeroplane ought to suffice, 'cos that's the whole point.
Isn't it?
PS: If you're going to fly round the world a few times (a la Polly Vacher), four bars open a few doors in Africa, in which case we'll let you off.
Keep in mind the following though. Some of us wear varying numbers of bars for our jobs (three for me). The aeroplane I fly for fun requires me to wear a knackered old RAF grow-bag to keep to keep the oil off (and stop me burning if it all goes horribly wrong), which is badgeless. There are a number of people I know who are infinitely better qualified than I, who turn up at the club looking infinitely more worn than I (most of whom wear four bars for a living and I defy you to pick the out in them flying club).
One in particular, I've seen in T-shirt, Bermuda shorts and a very suspect hat.
(He used to instruct on Hawks and has been kind enough to teach me a thing or ten, so he's forgiven - apart from the hat) If I could be so bold, you don't need bars unless you're earning a living and your passengers expect to see them. The bit of paper and the fact you can fly an aeroplane ought to suffice, 'cos that's the whole point.
Isn't it?
PS: If you're going to fly round the world a few times (a la Polly Vacher), four bars open a few doors in Africa, in which case we'll let you off.
Last edited by Human Factor; 25th Jul 2006 at 22:32.
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If you wear bars you'll have to wear the shirt that goes with it - in this weather the wet patches under your arms are going to show really well
Leave the uniform to the professionals. Like others I have to wear them when flying professionally. When I fly for myself it's meant to be as a hobby and fun - so you wear what's comfortable.
For your own self esteem and confidence - don't do it! The minute you screw up in your first 100 hours of flying (and you will) then any semblance of sympathy anyone might have is going to disappear when they see the epaulettes, and be replaced by a lot of snide remarks.
Leave the uniform to the professionals. Like others I have to wear them when flying professionally. When I fly for myself it's meant to be as a hobby and fun - so you wear what's comfortable.
For your own self esteem and confidence - don't do it! The minute you screw up in your first 100 hours of flying (and you will) then any semblance of sympathy anyone might have is going to disappear when they see the epaulettes, and be replaced by a lot of snide remarks.
A number of years ago a (sadly long dead) helicopter engineer Terry Rowarth was having problems getting access to a Spanish airport where he was working.
He purchased what could best be described as an Argentinian band masters uniform.
Approaching the airport he was roundly saluted by all and waived through!!!
Which brings to mind the story previously published on this site of Chris Beltons epic flight over the Alps in a Donny aeroclub 152 straight after getting her PPL.
Wanting to look the part while flying a club aircraft she wore uniform style dark trousers and jumper e.t.c.
While visting the ladies at a French airport she was mistaken for the lavatory attendent.!!!!!
In some countries every job comes with a uniform!!!
He purchased what could best be described as an Argentinian band masters uniform.
Approaching the airport he was roundly saluted by all and waived through!!!
Which brings to mind the story previously published on this site of Chris Beltons epic flight over the Alps in a Donny aeroclub 152 straight after getting her PPL.
Wanting to look the part while flying a club aircraft she wore uniform style dark trousers and jumper e.t.c.
While visting the ladies at a French airport she was mistaken for the lavatory attendent.!!!!!
In some countries every job comes with a uniform!!!
Last edited by ericferret; 26th Jul 2006 at 07:39.
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Originally Posted by Human Factor
(most of whom wear four bars for a living and I defy you to pick the out in them flying club).
loewy - I think it's all been covered and hopefully you're not considering wearing bars any more. As has been said, there are some far more subtle alternatives. Please though, don't opt for a massive set of embroidered wings on your chest! And if you do buy an Irvine jacket, don't wear it in a Cessna! I've got one, but mostly use it for driving my MG Midget... Keep it discrete, or keep it away from the airfield.
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The best thing to wear is that wry little smile that you just can't stop creeping onto your face from time to time when the realisation of what you've done slides gently into your brain.
A little less conversation,
a little more aviation...
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Originally Posted by Human Factor
The aeroplane I fly for fun requires me to wear a knackered old RAF grow-bag to keep to keep the oil off (and stop me burning if it all goes horribly wrong), which is badgeless.
- although maximum jeering levels were reached recently when big Jon C appeared in the bar wearing his green romper suit, not realising that his mother, bless 'er, had laundered the thing and then ironed a fantastic pair of creases down the front of the legs.....
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Originally Posted by ericferret
Wanting to look the part while flying a club aircraft she wore uniform style dark trousers and jumper e.t.c.
While visting the ladies at a French airport she was mistaken for the lavatory attendent.!!!!!
In some countries every job comes with a uniform!!!
While visting the ladies at a French airport she was mistaken for the lavatory attendent.!!!!!
In some countries every job comes with a uniform!!!
Pitts2112
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Ahh the fun of pilots uniforms = security guard. I was in Sainsburies the other day, when someone got annoyed with me and a few other pilots with me because we couldn't tell him where the charcoal was. When we said "sorry we don't work here.' he looked confused for a while, then angrily stated "What are you doing here then!" Shopping....
My course partner and I decided to rebel against the need to dress up like security guards during our CPL/ME/IR, so we purchased and wore the "security" epaulettes.
My course partner and I decided to rebel against the need to dress up like security guards during our CPL/ME/IR, so we purchased and wore the "security" epaulettes.
Grandpa Aerotart
Loewy...just don't.
Those of us who have to wear uniforms when at work for our airline hate it...or the older of us do.
I delight in wearing the daggiest shorts and REALLY old, worn out uniform shirts when I fly my own aeroplane...the only reason for the pilot shirts is the number of pockets and a pen pocket...and I don't care if they get oil on cause they just get further relegated to boat shirts when they are too disgusting for aeroplane shirts.
You will be roundly and rightly ridiculed..mostly behind your back...who wants that?
Those of us who have to wear uniforms when at work for our airline hate it...or the older of us do.
I delight in wearing the daggiest shorts and REALLY old, worn out uniform shirts when I fly my own aeroplane...the only reason for the pilot shirts is the number of pockets and a pen pocket...and I don't care if they get oil on cause they just get further relegated to boat shirts when they are too disgusting for aeroplane shirts.
You will be roundly and rightly ridiculed..mostly behind your back...who wants that?
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Originally Posted by tom775257
My course partner and I decided to rebel against the need to dress up like security guards during our CPL/ME/IR, so we purchased and wore the "security" epaulettes.
The last thing I wanted on a day that was 36c was to be wearing a shirt and tie in a spamcan!!!!
12yrs in the RAF was enough uniform for me. Even going to the officers mess bar in the evening had a dress code!
Enjoy the freedom of being a PPL and and cut your own style!
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Speaking of the public and uniforms ... Where I used to live, I had a five minute walk from my flat to my car. On one occasion, while wearing my RAFVR(T) uniform (same as a 'normal' RAF officer, but with a gilt 'VRT' pin in the rank slides) I was asked whether I was in the Salvation Army. Minutes later someone mistook me for a parking attendant and asked whether he would be okay to leave his car parked on the double yellow lines.