Leather flying jackets
Used to wear one back in Leeds in the early 80's, didn't give a hoot what anyone else thought. It was just so warm.
Like a fool I sold it before coming to Australia, thinking I wouldn't need it here.
Like a fool I sold it before coming to Australia, thinking I wouldn't need it here.
I love to walk up to the group of kids in the mall wearing jackets with wings, and ask if they are pilots.
Seriously, I agree. I've no issue with people wearing insignia they're entitled to. Wear university gear from a university YOU studied at, wings YOU earned....
On the other hand, a well made flying jacket looks good, is comfortable, and warm for the majority of us who live in countries that have proper winters (okay, your Canadian ones more impressive than our British ones, but they still count). The other bonus is that they're cut so that you can drve in them, which you can't easily in most longer jackets.
So, basically, if you like it, buy one and wear it. If you want to try and live up to the image you present, that's your call - but no harm in it.
G
My 20-year old Pop's Leather G-1 (minus pussy pelt collar) with no epaulettes, pen pockets, wings, 'I love F-14s' patches or similar is getting pretty battered, but is great for roof-down driving, flying etc.
Rather comfier than the Aviation Leathercraft 'official' RAF jacket, which is cut rather too long for most people.
Unless you're flying an open cockpit aircraft, a replica Irvin jacket is rather de trop, to my mind.
Rather comfier than the Aviation Leathercraft 'official' RAF jacket, which is cut rather too long for most people.
Unless you're flying an open cockpit aircraft, a replica Irvin jacket is rather de trop, to my mind.
Avoid imitations
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Seems like some here don't know the difference between a leather jacket and a sheepskin jacket.
As far as wearing an RAF pattern cold weather jacket goes......Having been obliged to wear one for almost twenty years, because it was uniform, imho it's not a very good jacket, especially by today's standards (possibly so called because it makes cool weather feel like cold weather and they are not waterproof).
Whatever you choose, just don't buy a cheap nylon jacket. In any sort of fire they melt into your skin, making the injury far more severe.
As far as wearing an RAF pattern cold weather jacket goes......Having been obliged to wear one for almost twenty years, because it was uniform, imho it's not a very good jacket, especially by today's standards (possibly so called because it makes cool weather feel like cold weather and they are not waterproof).
Whatever you choose, just don't buy a cheap nylon jacket. In any sort of fire they melt into your skin, making the injury far more severe.
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Definitely an Irvine in my open cockpit beastie, and yes the helmet is leather, because it is warmer and keeps the rain out better than the cloth ones.
In the Condor, whatever is comfortable, but mostly made of cotton or wool to protect against fire if I should c*** up seriously enough!
SND
In the Condor, whatever is comfortable, but mostly made of cotton or wool to protect against fire if I should c*** up seriously enough!
SND
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Yet again we have another dressing like a pilot / wearing a flashy watch bashing thread
The way I look at it is this, for most people flying at a weekend its a hobby, look at the way golfers, cyclists, bikers, fishermen, horsey folk etc etc all dress to do their hobbies....they are all instantly identifiable by what they are wearing and they spend a fortune on all the latest trendy / functional gear. They are showing pride and enthusiasm in their hobby.
Then look at your typical weekend pilot, a scruffy pair of jeans and a baggy jumper, yet if they decide to wear something remotely functional (flame retardant for example) they are branded as a 'poser'.
Gaining a PPL is a darn sight harder than buying a set of golf clubs so if someone wants to take pride in their achienvement by buying a big watch or a leather jacket then that's fine by me, indeed I think the whole GA mindset is utterly self destructive in this regard in that we have to play down everything we do despite then having to be bored to death listening to someone droning on about his round of golf, this fish they caught blah blah.
Is it any wonder that so few youngsters are showing any interest in GA nowadays when we ourselves downplay it constantly.
I don't personally care what someone wears to do their hobby flying, as long as they actually keep flying given that more and more GA airfields are closing every day and flying schools going out of business.
Personally in the winter I fly with an aircrew cold weather jacket, I do this for a few reasons:
1. It was designed for that very purpose and a lot of thought has gone into it, being breathable yet with an element of flame retardancey is rare to find in anything else.
2. Its warm and comfortable and very close fitting when flying a cramped single seater with no heater.
3. I got it free from Auntie Betty during my time instructing on her plastic motor gliders so why wouldn't I use it?
I am however at the point where I'm comforbale enough with myself not to give a hoot what others think around the club!!!
The way I look at it is this, for most people flying at a weekend its a hobby, look at the way golfers, cyclists, bikers, fishermen, horsey folk etc etc all dress to do their hobbies....they are all instantly identifiable by what they are wearing and they spend a fortune on all the latest trendy / functional gear. They are showing pride and enthusiasm in their hobby.
Then look at your typical weekend pilot, a scruffy pair of jeans and a baggy jumper, yet if they decide to wear something remotely functional (flame retardant for example) they are branded as a 'poser'.
Gaining a PPL is a darn sight harder than buying a set of golf clubs so if someone wants to take pride in their achienvement by buying a big watch or a leather jacket then that's fine by me, indeed I think the whole GA mindset is utterly self destructive in this regard in that we have to play down everything we do despite then having to be bored to death listening to someone droning on about his round of golf, this fish they caught blah blah.
Is it any wonder that so few youngsters are showing any interest in GA nowadays when we ourselves downplay it constantly.
I don't personally care what someone wears to do their hobby flying, as long as they actually keep flying given that more and more GA airfields are closing every day and flying schools going out of business.
Personally in the winter I fly with an aircrew cold weather jacket, I do this for a few reasons:
1. It was designed for that very purpose and a lot of thought has gone into it, being breathable yet with an element of flame retardancey is rare to find in anything else.
2. Its warm and comfortable and very close fitting when flying a cramped single seater with no heater.
3. I got it free from Auntie Betty during my time instructing on her plastic motor gliders so why wouldn't I use it?
I am however at the point where I'm comforbale enough with myself not to give a hoot what others think around the club!!!
Personally I feel that the wretched truncated rain coat known as the RAF Cold Weather Jacket is an abysmal piece of kit. Particularly the later version which has a longer back length.
I still have my old grey version from 1973 though (which has mysteriously shrunk in the spare room wardrobe....
).
I still have my old grey version from 1973 though (which has mysteriously shrunk in the spare room wardrobe....
).
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Personal taste I guess BEagle,
I find it warm enough in the winter without being too restrictive and just the right size to still squeeze into the single seat with it on.
Its bloody useless in the rain though, doesn't keep the water out, takes forever to dry and then smells like a wet dog for weeks after....
If its raining in the cockpit though I have bigger issues to worry about...
Regards
UA
I find it warm enough in the winter without being too restrictive and just the right size to still squeeze into the single seat with it on.
Its bloody useless in the rain though, doesn't keep the water out, takes forever to dry and then smells like a wet dog for weeks after....
If its raining in the cockpit though I have bigger issues to worry about...
Regards
UA
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If any particular type of apparel is chosen because it is best suited for the use/operation, then that is what to wear. I do try to wear shorter jackets while flying. I once had to fly my 150 in full fire department turnout gear - not good at all! (though if I'd crashed, I would not have burned!)
Unusual Attitude mentions pride and enthusiasm. Certainly excellent attributes for our chosen pastime. If you're a member of a flying club or school, and they have a nice shirt with the logo, by all means... If you need a "flying" jacket, because you fly in the cold, that sounds like a good idea to me. If you stop by the mall on the way home wearing it, and I ask you if you're a pilot, with pride, say Yes!
But, the coolest pilots I know, dozens of them, dress like regular people you'd meet on the street, their pride is inside, not so much in what they wear.
Unusual Attitude mentions pride and enthusiasm. Certainly excellent attributes for our chosen pastime. If you're a member of a flying club or school, and they have a nice shirt with the logo, by all means... If you need a "flying" jacket, because you fly in the cold, that sounds like a good idea to me. If you stop by the mall on the way home wearing it, and I ask you if you're a pilot, with pride, say Yes!
But, the coolest pilots I know, dozens of them, dress like regular people you'd meet on the street, their pride is inside, not so much in what they wear.
Ironically, I think if worn by somebody who has zero involvement with aviation then you can get away with it as a bit of "practical iconic fashion"
If worn by anyone with aviation involvement nowadays it's just looks a bit w@nkey quite frankly.
If worn by anyone with aviation involvement nowadays it's just looks a bit w@nkey quite frankly.
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I personally plan on buying a leather jacket thats a bomber/motorcycle hybrid. I may look like I'm trying rather too hard in the club house but I won't look like a fat bloke in a badly fitting A2 down the pub. I like to think I'm self aware enough to know when I'm cool or looking like a knob, and if I'm way off I have friends who are generous enough with their criticism to let me know if I've got it wrong!
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Don't worry Fleet, you know us, we'll soon let you know! 
Trying to arrange an F1 reunion at the end of the year since we didn't get much chance for a proper beer after the race....will keep you posted....
Trying to arrange an F1 reunion at the end of the year since we didn't get much chance for a proper beer after the race....will keep you posted....
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I've got an MA2 dark green, no badges, it's comfortable, warm & I wear it to fly or walk the dog & sod what people think. As for the demise of GA, agree with UA, it isn't what most of the public think but how do you educate people who couldn't give a **** anyway, as long as the football is on the telly 24/7 that's all that matters for most. If you want to impress the boss, buy the bats & a Pringles Jersey, no brain power required "triangle of velocities" what the hell is that about?
In this UK an aeroplane is a thing that takes you to the Costa Spain to get pissed for a fortnight.
In this UK an aeroplane is a thing that takes you to the Costa Spain to get pissed for a fortnight.
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I admit to being what some of you call a 'knob' (I wear one of these jackets) and flies what some of you call a 'spam can.'
And know what, you can insult me and my plane as much as you like. When pre-flighting I don't get cold, and when climbing in the jacket easily comes off to save bulk - working on the principle that that is what a heater is for. And I'd rather be flying a 'spam can' than sitting on the ground reading Pilot magazine dreaming of a more exotic machine.
The licence and plane were hard earned and I enjoy using both whilst wearing my jacket, frankly not giving a to$$ what anyone else thinks.
Good luck to anyone else who does the same.
And know what, you can insult me and my plane as much as you like. When pre-flighting I don't get cold, and when climbing in the jacket easily comes off to save bulk - working on the principle that that is what a heater is for. And I'd rather be flying a 'spam can' than sitting on the ground reading Pilot magazine dreaming of a more exotic machine.
The licence and plane were hard earned and I enjoy using both whilst wearing my jacket, frankly not giving a to$$ what anyone else thinks.
Good luck to anyone else who does the same.
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I don't bother during the four microseconds that it's warm here in the UK but the rest of the time I wear my deceased best mate's jacket. He bought it not long before he died five years ago so it's hardly if ever been worn before me and his widow, bless her heart gave it to me. It's not a flying jacket, it's just the most supple bomber jacket of (and now worn to the state where even I look good in it) dark brown leather of the highest quality. I know how much it cost and it was just short of a grand, such is the quality and cut of the leather.
I wear it because it is literally like a second skin, it smells absolutely awesome, it is now battered to **** in a Marlon Brando Wild One way and it's my jacket of choice whenever I need to wear a jacket wherever I'm going. I still have my Levi jacket that I bought in 1970 due to the memories it has and no doubt whenever the bomber jacket starts to falll apart it will have pride of place next to the Levi jacket.
Addendum: When I worked in Italy in '92 I bought two pairs of Levi jeans. They don't make them like that anymore and they are still hanging up waiting for me to loose the poundage to get them on. Actually I can get my legs in them. But that's all...
Couldn't agree more sir.
I wear it because it is literally like a second skin, it smells absolutely awesome, it is now battered to **** in a Marlon Brando Wild One way and it's my jacket of choice whenever I need to wear a jacket wherever I'm going. I still have my Levi jacket that I bought in 1970 due to the memories it has and no doubt whenever the bomber jacket starts to falll apart it will have pride of place next to the Levi jacket.
Addendum: When I worked in Italy in '92 I bought two pairs of Levi jeans. They don't make them like that anymore and they are still hanging up waiting for me to loose the poundage to get them on. Actually I can get my legs in them. But that's all...
The licence and plane were hard earned and I enjoy using both whilst wearing my jacket, frankly not giving a to$$ what anyone else thinks.
Good luck to anyone else who does the same.
Good luck to anyone else who does the same.
My leather jackets have all been from Sears US/Canada - not flashy but windproof, warm, long lasting, and much cheaper than UK prices. They make me look like an East European.