Wearing Bars?
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 281
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From: LHBS
Looks like I need to sew some stripes and wings on my John Deere boilersuit !
From Wikipedia
Rank/insignia Epaulettes Wings
pre-solo student no stripes no wings
post-solo student one stripe wings
private pilot license holder pursuing commercial license two stripes wings
commercial pilot license holder pursuing instructor's rating or ATPL three stripes wings
flight instructor three stripes wings
chief flight instructor or examiner four stripes wings
From Wikipedia
Rank/insignia Epaulettes Wings
pre-solo student no stripes no wings
post-solo student one stripe wings
private pilot license holder pursuing commercial license two stripes wings
commercial pilot license holder pursuing instructor's rating or ATPL three stripes wings
flight instructor three stripes wings
chief flight instructor or examiner four stripes wings
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,042
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From: Oxford
I have to admit when I got my PPL I briefly flirted with wings badges but now I can't even bring myself to wear my AOPA silver wings badge even though I worked for it.
I do own a black nylon jacket with 'pilot' on it but my excuse is I got it cheap in a closing down sale at Halton...
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
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From: UK
I've never worn race overalls but last time I donned a flying suit it took a few seconds to wriggle into over my normal clothes. So I agree with Small Rodent Driver - take your flying suit with you in the spammy and put it on before flying the proper aeroplane!
To wear it in the 182 would be, as I say, like wearing your race gear to the shops.
In saying this I am merely making an observation, not propounding some sort of religion. So it's not me who has the problem in making the observation (which is widely shared, BTW), it's the chap who feels the need to dress up as an airline captain to fly a 182 (excepting, as I say, those whose jobs mandate that). He's probably feeling the need to compensate for a lack somewhere.
To wear it in the 182 would be, as I say, like wearing your race gear to the shops.
In saying this I am merely making an observation, not propounding some sort of religion. So it's not me who has the problem in making the observation (which is widely shared, BTW), it's the chap who feels the need to dress up as an airline captain to fly a 182 (excepting, as I say, those whose jobs mandate that). He's probably feeling the need to compensate for a lack somewhere.
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 174
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From: UK
There's a book for you guys:
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 158
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From: Scotland
[thread drift] Not bars but there is a middling pilot near here who has been seen in the local Tesco togged out in his flying club Hi-vis jacket, replete with club name and regalia.
Needy or what? [/thread drift]
Needy or what? [/thread drift]
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 36
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From: Montserrat, in the Caribbean
I wear them. When I feel like it. in an old c172 doing flying with my mates from work. Guess that makes me a **** then? Luckily I am not one to be unduly concerned about others opinion on such matters. Aviation is filled with stuffy old geriatrics and is slowly dying out. If someone spends £10k to learn to fly as a PPL and wants to wear 4 gold bars and a white shirt who is ANYONE to say that they should not?
Gender Faculty Specialist
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,325
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From: In your head.
In that case, I suggest not giving a toss what some faceless bloke on the internet calling himself "Shaggy Sheep Driver" thinks! 
As mentioned earlier, those who feel the need to look down at people for what could be perfectly sensible clothes for the situation probably have a bit of a problem themselves...
As mentioned earlier, those who feel the need to look down at people for what could be perfectly sensible clothes for the situation probably have a bit of a problem themselves...
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,803
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From: Perth - Western Australia
It always pays to remember - when they are cutting you out of your crashed aircraft - the medics will also cut off all the clothing that is covering your injuries - and that could mean your glorious bars ending up in the dirt, and being trampled on, by all and sundry - and with you being transported into ER, as just another barely-dressed, hapless, injury patient!! 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 134
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From: UK
Wearing epaullettes is a no no for a PPL in my opinion. The rule I abide by is if they form part of a uniform, you wear them. PPL's don't have uniforms. End of.
In as far as walking around town wearing them, well that's another story. That says more about the person wearing them than anything. The first thing I do when I finish a duty and my pax are away is put them in my top pocket.
In as far as walking around town wearing them, well that's another story. That says more about the person wearing them than anything. The first thing I do when I finish a duty and my pax are away is put them in my top pocket.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 208
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From: Dubai
Apologies if I have offended anybody by taking the p*ss out of those who like to wear epaullettes, gold bars or military garb for flying.
I guess it stems from my rather unhappy childhood where money was scarce and my mother would shop for my school clothing in the local Army and Navy store.
You have no idea what it was like going to school dressed as a Japanese Admiral!
I guess it stems from my rather unhappy childhood where money was scarce and my mother would shop for my school clothing in the local Army and Navy store.
You have no idea what it was like going to school dressed as a Japanese Admiral!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 676
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From: london
The worst place to be seen in a high viz tabbard is by the fuel pumps; all that nylon and polyester is a serious generator of static electricity and is a real fire hazard.
On the subject of bars and gold braid, there is a rule at White Waltham that anyone who rocks up at the bar wearing the aforementioned, has to buy a round of drinks for everyone there. I think that there is an exemption for the BBMF pilots when they drop in for fuel....
On the subject of bars and gold braid, there is a rule at White Waltham that anyone who rocks up at the bar wearing the aforementioned, has to buy a round of drinks for everyone there. I think that there is an exemption for the BBMF pilots when they drop in for fuel....
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Worldwide
It always pays to remember - when they are cutting you out of your crashed aircraft - the medics will also cut off all the clothing that is covering your injuries - and that could mean your glorious bars ending up in the dirt, and being trampled on, by all and sundry - and with you being transported into ER, as just another barely-dressed, hapless, injury patient!!
I guess you always travel(pax or crew) in old dirty clothes just in case
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,982
Likes: 1
From: In the boot of my car!
Hi viz jackets I hate and have often thrown one over my one shoulder just to comply then dump it as soon as possible 
In the fashion industry Yellow is a very difficult colour to wear and look good in unless you are sporting a deep summer tan.
Yellow is known to draw colour from the face making you look paler than you already are.
So not at all a good colour for the He man pilot to wear.
If you want to look like a fried egg gone wrong wear a Hi Viz
Of course for the complete image with the white shirt and bars don't forget the Ray Bans ? but remember if they are coloured ray bans you will instantly be a colour blind pilot
Beware wearing the dark variety as many pilots wearing them on dark overcast days have been known to walk into propellers as they cannot see where they are going! but again a very important fashion assesory
Pilot uniforms walking through Gatwick as an airline pilot will get admiring glances from passengers who put their lives in the hands of these sky gods!
They also look good worn by the biz jet jockeys seen by many as the hot ship airliners of the sky but in a Cessna 150 ? Or SEP ? Somehow it has a negative "look at that dick head "impression
On the few biz jet ferry flights I have done especially in the USA with no PAX it actually feels quite cool and relaxed to jump in wearing jeans and a TShirt
Pace
In the fashion industry Yellow is a very difficult colour to wear and look good in unless you are sporting a deep summer tan.
Yellow is known to draw colour from the face making you look paler than you already are.
So not at all a good colour for the He man pilot to wear.
If you want to look like a fried egg gone wrong wear a Hi Viz
Of course for the complete image with the white shirt and bars don't forget the Ray Bans ? but remember if they are coloured ray bans you will instantly be a colour blind pilot
Beware wearing the dark variety as many pilots wearing them on dark overcast days have been known to walk into propellers as they cannot see where they are going! but again a very important fashion assesory
Pilot uniforms walking through Gatwick as an airline pilot will get admiring glances from passengers who put their lives in the hands of these sky gods!
They also look good worn by the biz jet jockeys seen by many as the hot ship airliners of the sky but in a Cessna 150 ? Or SEP ? Somehow it has a negative "look at that dick head "impression
On the few biz jet ferry flights I have done especially in the USA with no PAX it actually feels quite cool and relaxed to jump in wearing jeans and a TShirt
Pace
Last edited by Pace; 12th February 2016 at 08:48.