What To Wear When Flying!!!!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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From: Pretoria
flying attire
My instructor reprimanded me when I came to a lesson wearing shorts and sandals - it gets quite hot in South Africa.
He said I should rather wear long trousers and closed shoes. The reason for this is to help protect your legs in the event of a cockpit fire. This might seem trivial, but have you ever tried to kick rudder pedals with flames licking at your feet?
He said I should rather wear long trousers and closed shoes. The reason for this is to help protect your legs in the event of a cockpit fire. This might seem trivial, but have you ever tried to kick rudder pedals with flames licking at your feet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 281
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From: Warboys
No but I have stood in a fire with my Flying Boots on, and picked cooked food out of the centre of a fire with my issue Gloves!
We wore our flying kit whilst on Combat Survival & Rescue training, what got damaged was replaced, but it was good to test the kit properly.
I was amazed at how protective the gloves were, I could reach into the fire to pull out and check my Poached Trout hardly feeling the heat (I caught 3 Trout on the first night!
)
We wore our flying kit whilst on Combat Survival & Rescue training, what got damaged was replaced, but it was good to test the kit properly.
I was amazed at how protective the gloves were, I could reach into the fire to pull out and check my Poached Trout hardly feeling the heat (I caught 3 Trout on the first night!
)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 509
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From: The front end and about 50ft up
As far as I'm concerned, if you wear what you wear for 'fancy dress' reasons (ie because you want look like and want people to think you are a professional civvy or military pilot) then you, Sir, are a tw@.
On the other hand I would always approve of people wearing safety equipment appropriate to their type of aircraft. I would not object to a light aircraft pilot wearing a flying suit, gloves and a helmet because when that one engine fails, or when that cabin fire breaks out it could save your life (and I've seen the fatal results of both). Such equipment is available from Transair and others and doesn't have to be ex-RAF kit. I cringe when I see people flying in shorts, nylon, etc An avgas flash fire is gonna hurt!
When GA pilots start pitching up in ex-RAF kit, covered in badges, (especially the name badges with wings that look exactly like RAF wings until you get really close) or trying to look like Boeing drivers with epaulettes etc, then they are doing it for the wrong reasons. They will be the laughing stock of professional pilots who wear what they do for a reason.
Moral of the story (original poster take note):
Fancy dress - bad
Safety equipment - good
On the other hand I would always approve of people wearing safety equipment appropriate to their type of aircraft. I would not object to a light aircraft pilot wearing a flying suit, gloves and a helmet because when that one engine fails, or when that cabin fire breaks out it could save your life (and I've seen the fatal results of both). Such equipment is available from Transair and others and doesn't have to be ex-RAF kit. I cringe when I see people flying in shorts, nylon, etc An avgas flash fire is gonna hurt!
When GA pilots start pitching up in ex-RAF kit, covered in badges, (especially the name badges with wings that look exactly like RAF wings until you get really close) or trying to look like Boeing drivers with epaulettes etc, then they are doing it for the wrong reasons. They will be the laughing stock of professional pilots who wear what they do for a reason.
Moral of the story (original poster take note):
Fancy dress - bad
Safety equipment - good
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 1
From: 59°45'36N 10°27'59E
I wear a sage green flight suit when I fly a Cessna, and soon a Army Cub I
hope. I try to remember to put some gloves on as well.
Reason? A pilot from the RNoAF once showed me the results of a flash fire in the cockpit of a Saab Safari. Crisp is the operative word.
Ahh, and it doesn't matter if it gets oily or dirty when shifting rusty, oily hangar doors about.
About 50% of the frequent fliers in my club use a suit. Either a navy blue. (Norway aero club issue) or the sage green air force model. (We are based at a MIL airfield, and the local stores dept. can arrange a swap when your issue suit gets to nasty!)
We try to get the members to dress a bit sensibly, especially since we reside in alpine terrain at 69N. Is it smart to go flying in shorts and a t-shirt over the mountains just because it's 20C at the airfield? You will feel pretty stupid if you survive a forced landing at 3500ft msl just to freeze to death trying to wade trough 1 meter of snow in your flip flops.
(Both our 172 and A Cub carry a 8kg survival pack, supplied by friends at the air force rescue equipment shop
)
As for style/looks? I could not care less. I have eaten to many pies to be stylish anyway!
White shirts with epaulettes, now that's ridiculous! The German that visited the field earlier this month emerged from his Archer in blue slacks and white shirt with epaulettes (4 stripes!!!!).
Kinda ironic really, since he was rubbish on the R/T, and clearly had no knowledge of the airspace he was flying through, hardly in character for a captain??
(Worked in the TWR that day)
hope. I try to remember to put some gloves on as well.
Reason? A pilot from the RNoAF once showed me the results of a flash fire in the cockpit of a Saab Safari. Crisp is the operative word.
Ahh, and it doesn't matter if it gets oily or dirty when shifting rusty, oily hangar doors about.
About 50% of the frequent fliers in my club use a suit. Either a navy blue. (Norway aero club issue) or the sage green air force model. (We are based at a MIL airfield, and the local stores dept. can arrange a swap when your issue suit gets to nasty!)
We try to get the members to dress a bit sensibly, especially since we reside in alpine terrain at 69N. Is it smart to go flying in shorts and a t-shirt over the mountains just because it's 20C at the airfield? You will feel pretty stupid if you survive a forced landing at 3500ft msl just to freeze to death trying to wade trough 1 meter of snow in your flip flops.
(Both our 172 and A Cub carry a 8kg survival pack, supplied by friends at the air force rescue equipment shop
)As for style/looks? I could not care less. I have eaten to many pies to be stylish anyway!
White shirts with epaulettes, now that's ridiculous! The German that visited the field earlier this month emerged from his Archer in blue slacks and white shirt with epaulettes (4 stripes!!!!).
Kinda ironic really, since he was rubbish on the R/T, and clearly had no knowledge of the airspace he was flying through, hardly in character for a captain??
(Worked in the TWR that day)
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: Oop North, UK
Such equipment is available from Transair and others and doesn't have to be ex-RAF kit.
Joined: Oct 2003
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 163
Likes: 40
From: Walthamstow
Now that summer has arrived I have decided to get some epaulettes for my crop top. That should impress and confuse the spotters.
I already have a "CREW" label on a big gold chain hanging off my shorts.
I did try flying in slippers but they kept getting caught under the brake pedals.
I already have a "CREW" label on a big gold chain hanging off my shorts.
I did try flying in slippers but they kept getting caught under the brake pedals.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Sunderland, UK
What to wear?
Hi,
Finally going ahead with my first trial lesson (a year late, but heh!) and need to know what I should wear?
A full suit would just look over done, so I need suggestions.
I'm U16, couldn't give a toss about fashion so that shouldn't be an issue.
Thanks!
Finally going ahead with my first trial lesson (a year late, but heh!) and need to know what I should wear?
A full suit would just look over done, so I need suggestions.
I'm U16, couldn't give a toss about fashion so that shouldn't be an issue.
Thanks!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: UK, mainly
Whatever you're comfortable in - I'd rather have a scruffy but comfortable student than an overdressed and queasy one. Usual courtesy rules of course about not wearing stuff that'll leave marks/stains on the aircraft interior. Also don't worry too much if it's a cold day out, aircraft heaters can be quite effective if used properly, and chances are you'll feel too warm rather than too cold anyway. Finally, enjoy it!!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 509
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From: The front end and about 50ft up
Boots, speedos, Ray Bans and a cowboy hat.
Probably jeans and a sweatshirt would do. Don't wear anything too good because it will get covered in grease, oil, fuel etc. Don't dress up like Goose and Maverick to fly a Cessna as you'll look a d1ckhead (although I wouldn't begrudge anyone using a flying suit for genuine reasons). Don't wear synthetic fibres, again for safety reasons. Many people do it but I'm not a fan of too much exposed flesh (eg shorts and t-shirts) in aircraft - I've seen the difference even a thin layer can make in a flash fire. Dress comfortably and remember that it's a lot colder up there than down here. Have fun!
Probably jeans and a sweatshirt would do. Don't wear anything too good because it will get covered in grease, oil, fuel etc. Don't dress up like Goose and Maverick to fly a Cessna as you'll look a d1ckhead (although I wouldn't begrudge anyone using a flying suit for genuine reasons). Don't wear synthetic fibres, again for safety reasons. Many people do it but I'm not a fan of too much exposed flesh (eg shorts and t-shirts) in aircraft - I've seen the difference even a thin layer can make in a flash fire. Dress comfortably and remember that it's a lot colder up there than down here. Have fun!