What To Wear When Flying!!!!
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Amsterdam
The DA40/PA38 (no real opaque ceiling) are the worst in this respect.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 526
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From: Aberdeen, UK
I'll always remember my instructor telling me on my first lesson that the most important thing to be wearing when flying was sunglasses, and asked why.
His answer, when none was provided, was - "because it makes us look cool!"
(he was joking before the fun-police jump on me!)
On a serious note, flying with a low sun up here in winter, I wouldn't be without them!
His answer, when none was provided, was - "because it makes us look cool!"
(he was joking before the fun-police jump on me!)
On a serious note, flying with a low sun up here in winter, I wouldn't be without them!
Joined: Dec 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 40
From: Various
Have you got a big enough watch with lots of buttons. Gotta have one of those before your 5th lesson.
Shoes/boots with smooth soles can become a right pain if the rudder pedals are slippery, have lost their friction surface or are in a Tomahawk (leaking water). Boots that lace up tight all the way to the top can restrict the ability to push brake pedals with the tip of the toe. RAF boots often have a design that allows the boots to be tied tight (-ish) but still have a huge ammount of flex at just the right point. If too tight, you can't get to your laces once strapped in! I've worn no other footwear than surplus RAF footwear for the last 12 years of commercial flying. If the Betty Windsor Flying Club use them then they must be half decent?
If you are going to get sunglasses, get ones that won't pinck your lugholes when you get a tight headset on. Otherwise you'll get deep and painful marks on the side of your head. Rayban make ones with thin and flexible wired arms.
Hope this helps.
Shoes/boots with smooth soles can become a right pain if the rudder pedals are slippery, have lost their friction surface or are in a Tomahawk (leaking water). Boots that lace up tight all the way to the top can restrict the ability to push brake pedals with the tip of the toe. RAF boots often have a design that allows the boots to be tied tight (-ish) but still have a huge ammount of flex at just the right point. If too tight, you can't get to your laces once strapped in! I've worn no other footwear than surplus RAF footwear for the last 12 years of commercial flying. If the Betty Windsor Flying Club use them then they must be half decent?
If you are going to get sunglasses, get ones that won't pinck your lugholes when you get a tight headset on. Otherwise you'll get deep and painful marks on the side of your head. Rayban make ones with thin and flexible wired arms.
Hope this helps.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
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From: Sunderland, UK
I've already got some "RAF Boots"
Got a couple of v-neck jumpers and shirts yesterday, so that should do for flying along with some jeans.
Still debating St. Georges Flight Training or Nortumbria Flying School.
Got a couple of v-neck jumpers and shirts yesterday, so that should do for flying along with some jeans.
Still debating St. Georges Flight Training or Nortumbria Flying School.
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 281
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From: Warboys
At the risk of re-opening a Zombie Thread I thought I would point out that there is an alternative source of clothing for the discerning Private Pilot who eschews the allure of the eppaulette and the gro-bag.....
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Marlow UK
I was taught to wear non-nylon clothes and shoes you could walk home in, having initially learnt on Microlights in the unreliable 2 stroke days.
I usually wear outdoors clothing such as Rohan, Craghopper or Columbia.
I reminded a helicopter Instructor of this when we had a total electrical failure in an R44 and had to walk through the countryside and eventually get the train home. I was dressed on this sweltering hot day in my usual outdoors wear of Craghopper trousers and Columbia shirt and he in shorts, t-shirt and flipflops.
He looked cool in the Heli but a bit of a prat (and cold) waiting at the station.
I usually wear outdoors clothing such as Rohan, Craghopper or Columbia.
I reminded a helicopter Instructor of this when we had a total electrical failure in an R44 and had to walk through the countryside and eventually get the train home. I was dressed on this sweltering hot day in my usual outdoors wear of Craghopper trousers and Columbia shirt and he in shorts, t-shirt and flipflops.
He looked cool in the Heli but a bit of a prat (and cold) waiting at the station.
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 1,286
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From: I have no idea but the view's great.
Wessex Boy
The aero-ist site looks interesting, at last someone has put some thought into clothing for GA. Can't wait to see how it develops.
The aero-ist site looks interesting, at last someone has put some thought into clothing for GA. Can't wait to see how it develops.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,200
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From: Norfolk UK
The LAA have some excellent clothing suitable for aviation use at a fraction of the cost of "fashion ware",I bought some recently and I think their sale continues through April.
At least the profit goes to a worthy cause!
Lister
At least the profit goes to a worthy cause!
Lister
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 731
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From: Surrey, England
'nuthin' special
So far as I can see, this isn't a new formula on offer. I had a quick look at this latest 'flying wear' site, but for the life of me couldn't see anything particularly special there compared to what is available on the high street.
Many of us will remember 'Stormbyrd', which for a short while really did try to offer clothing specially designed for flying, but fizzled out after a relatively short period in business.
Broomstick.
Many of us will remember 'Stormbyrd', which for a short while really did try to offer clothing specially designed for flying, but fizzled out after a relatively short period in business.
Broomstick.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,655
Likes: 500
From: Canada
An entertaining thread. At the risk of sounding preachy, you should think about the terrain you will be flying over. For instance If you are flying over sparsely settled terrain in winter you should be properly dressed to survive outside if the airplane crashes.
One thing that is for sure is the likelyhood of that one spot of horrible greasy exhaust residue with a hint of hydraulic fluid, transfering to your clothes is directly proportional to the cost of what you are wearing
Cheap and comfortable are the primary criteria for my flying clothes.
BTW I wear a nomex flight suit and gloves when flying my Nanchang CJ6A, but I would never wear it when flying a cessna or piper.
One thing that is for sure is the likelyhood of that one spot of horrible greasy exhaust residue with a hint of hydraulic fluid, transfering to your clothes is directly proportional to the cost of what you are wearing
Cheap and comfortable are the primary criteria for my flying clothes.BTW I wear a nomex flight suit and gloves when flying my Nanchang CJ6A, but I would never wear it when flying a cessna or piper.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 460
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From: Central London
One thing that is for sure is the likelyhood of that one spot of horrible greasy exhaust residue with a hint of hydraulic fluid, transfering to your clothes is directly proportional to the cost of what you are wearing Cheap and comfortable are the primary criteria for my flying clothes.
Whats wrong with this now summer is coming?
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: 32°55'22"S 151°46'56"E
Never actually really thought about what I should wear, but have splattered myself in oil and fuel on occasions, as well as flying into a friendly and muddy grass strip ruining pairs of trainers!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 281
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From: Warboys
darn! Found out TT
Broomstick, these businesses have to start somewhere, and someone has to have the brass neck to use their own money to get these things off the ground. It ain't cheap and there is a bit of risk involved in these times. If you think you can do better I would welcome the competition!
You have to wear clothes, why not wear some that are subtly aviation leaning rather than Gap/next/River island, oh and they are mainly Cotton, not much nylon as far as we could manage it.
Once some turnover is achieved there will be some innovative products for the discerning GA flyer as well as other branches of air-sports being launched.
Broomstick, these businesses have to start somewhere, and someone has to have the brass neck to use their own money to get these things off the ground. It ain't cheap and there is a bit of risk involved in these times. If you think you can do better I would welcome the competition!
You have to wear clothes, why not wear some that are subtly aviation leaning rather than Gap/next/River island, oh and they are mainly Cotton, not much nylon as far as we could manage it.
Once some turnover is achieved there will be some innovative products for the discerning GA flyer as well as other branches of air-sports being launched.