Gold Bars and Flying Suits
Join Date: Apr 2014
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I did my PPL training in LEJR; next to a very big and famous ATO with integrated programs.
Always found it funny to see all the students dressed up in their uniforms looking down at me for flying in my t-shirt, shorts and sneakers. Then again, they are pretty much only allowed to fly 2 hour local flights whereas I have flown almost everywhere the range of a C172 will take me, including Morocco (I must be one of the few fortunate PPLs whose aircraft renter allowed him to fly as he pleases, everybody I asks tells me about idiotic restrictions the renters impose). Then the authorities reduce the hours of an integrated course to 150 because in their eyes these hours are of "better quality"...
Sorry for the rant. A "simple" PPL flying his friends to lunch in a C172 wearing the uniform by own will, not having to, strikes me as pretentious. But if they are happy like that, by all means...
Regarding the flying to third world countries, it might be a good idea. I have flown to Morocco in my swimming suit and had no troubles whatsoever. But I imagine less developed countries could find it odd. I agree this is situation in which it might be a good idea to wear a uniform. Not within the EU though...
Always found it funny to see all the students dressed up in their uniforms looking down at me for flying in my t-shirt, shorts and sneakers. Then again, they are pretty much only allowed to fly 2 hour local flights whereas I have flown almost everywhere the range of a C172 will take me, including Morocco (I must be one of the few fortunate PPLs whose aircraft renter allowed him to fly as he pleases, everybody I asks tells me about idiotic restrictions the renters impose). Then the authorities reduce the hours of an integrated course to 150 because in their eyes these hours are of "better quality"...
Sorry for the rant. A "simple" PPL flying his friends to lunch in a C172 wearing the uniform by own will, not having to, strikes me as pretentious. But if they are happy like that, by all means...
Regarding the flying to third world countries, it might be a good idea. I have flown to Morocco in my swimming suit and had no troubles whatsoever. But I imagine less developed countries could find it odd. I agree this is situation in which it might be a good idea to wear a uniform. Not within the EU though...
Join Date: Sep 2012
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I think you might have chosen a rather bad example. It never took me more than 3 minutes to pass security at EPGD/Gdańsk crew lane and underneath a high-viz I looked like a punk.
Two hours at EPGD/Gdańsk security make me think that your lack of bars was the least of their worries!
/h88
Last edited by hegemon88; 4th Sep 2017 at 18:30. Reason: Add some ICAO decoding
Well, as I really can't be bothered to look up the designators, I don't know where you are all flying. And I don't really care what you wear. I suggest that you dress in accordance with the risk you see, and leave off the nasty hi-viz melty strangly stuff. Personally, I like jeans and a cotton tee shirt. Comfortable, tough, cheap. Doesn't melt. Works with gliders, aeroplanes, and balloons. Bars, yes, certainly. Mine serves Bombay sapphire and fever tree tonic.
The grow bag pockets also hold so much more pilot needs like phone fags,lighter and wallet.I can't wear bars as they would put me over the 450kg weight limit.
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Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: The frozen north....
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Grow bag is fine with me, it adds to safety, even wings if you so choose as regardless of what your flying you've earned them but adding gold bars unless your being paid to wear them (excluding 3rd world etc) just makes you look like an idiot.
Im personally more offended that the chap in question flaunts himself as an 'Air Race' pilot dressed like that...
Im personally more offended that the chap in question flaunts himself as an 'Air Race' pilot dressed like that...
Tabs please !
I used to wear a grow bag while paragliding which attracted the occasional comment from my mates.
On a flying holiday in France, I explained that if I were to ever end up in a tree (it happened once but that's another story), having small pockets within easy reach was a good idea. I then produced a wire saw, a whistle, survival blanket, webbing knife and other goodies from various locations. The roll of dental floss caused a few WTF comments. The easiest way to get a rope up a tree was to lower your car keys on the floss which could then be used to pull the rope back up the tree. There were a few lightbulb moments and the local chemist started wondering why the Brits had developed a sudden obsession with oral hygiene.
My flying instructor (Hello HF !) wore leather flying gloves in a PA-28. I thought it was rather OTT until he explained that he was blocking the only exit and in the event of a fire, he would be more likely to get out with a bit of hand protection. A fair point well made.
On a flying holiday in France, I explained that if I were to ever end up in a tree (it happened once but that's another story), having small pockets within easy reach was a good idea. I then produced a wire saw, a whistle, survival blanket, webbing knife and other goodies from various locations. The roll of dental floss caused a few WTF comments. The easiest way to get a rope up a tree was to lower your car keys on the floss which could then be used to pull the rope back up the tree. There were a few lightbulb moments and the local chemist started wondering why the Brits had developed a sudden obsession with oral hygiene.
My flying instructor (Hello HF !) wore leather flying gloves in a PA-28. I thought it was rather OTT until he explained that he was blocking the only exit and in the event of a fire, he would be more likely to get out with a bit of hand protection. A fair point well made.
If only I'd known just how upset certain types of people get when they perceive a certain type of pilot should'nt be wearing gold bars on their shoulders... I woulda started wearing them myself..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VuWzeoIr7J4
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VuWzeoIr7J4
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Cant bite my tongue any longer - it has a big hole in it
Gold bars, white shirts etc are just a lack of insight. Rightly or wrongly you dont need a psychological assessment for a ticket. Also an insult to those who hold a professional license. Sadly not illegal
BUT a flying suit is totally acceptable. Fire remains an issue, especially in rotary. I have worked in a burns unit and I promise you you dont want to go there. Just a small burn can rsult in months and months of operations and hospitalisation. A few years ago someone I knew tried to land in an open field. A freak accident resulted in a roll over, massive burns and death.
So anyone who flies with bare arms / ankles etc is sadly ignorant of the risk. It is up to you, but please dont criticse me
On top of that the pockets are indeed useful for a PLB, seatbelt cutter and phone. Plus the growbag keeps my clothes clean underneath so I can go to a meeting not smelling of Jet A
Gold bars, white shirts etc are just a lack of insight. Rightly or wrongly you dont need a psychological assessment for a ticket. Also an insult to those who hold a professional license. Sadly not illegal
BUT a flying suit is totally acceptable. Fire remains an issue, especially in rotary. I have worked in a burns unit and I promise you you dont want to go there. Just a small burn can rsult in months and months of operations and hospitalisation. A few years ago someone I knew tried to land in an open field. A freak accident resulted in a roll over, massive burns and death.
So anyone who flies with bare arms / ankles etc is sadly ignorant of the risk. It is up to you, but please dont criticse me
On top of that the pockets are indeed useful for a PLB, seatbelt cutter and phone. Plus the growbag keeps my clothes clean underneath so I can go to a meeting not smelling of Jet A
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100% up for this window dressing.
Where do I get on of these grow bags? They sound great.
The shorts, tee shirt and flip flops need some modification I think.
I am going to get some Russian military stuff to put on mine - a few rank badges, then nip down to Suriname and see if the Archer has an easier time than usual.
Where do I get on of these grow bags? They sound great.
The shorts, tee shirt and flip flops need some modification I think.
I am going to get some Russian military stuff to put on mine - a few rank badges, then nip down to Suriname and see if the Archer has an easier time than usual.
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Dressing up like a Korean General, pretentious.
Grow bag is a different issue. In an old classic with 80litres of fuel on your lap quite a good idea.
A 150 with tanks overhead, protection sounds sensible, but the thing was designed as a flying car for people in trilby hats smoking a pipe.
Any fuel powered vehicle could burst into flames in the right circumstances.
Grow bag is a different issue. In an old classic with 80litres of fuel on your lap quite a good idea.
A 150 with tanks overhead, protection sounds sensible, but the thing was designed as a flying car for people in trilby hats smoking a pipe.
Any fuel powered vehicle could burst into flames in the right circumstances.
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Absolutely spot on Crash one. But some vehicles are worse than others. A decade ago a certain car was well known to burst into flames and fry its occupants if shunted in the rear. Some other cars are infamous on the burns unit. Helicopters seem to be more prone than fixed wing. So I wear my grow bag. In fact I never get in a small fixed wing as I dont trust the driver with gold bars on. They cant see with their Ray Bans on in the dark anyway.
Don't forget this one. (Can be 3d printed these days)
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/be/9b/d2/b...s-printing.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/be/9b/d2/b...s-printing.jpg
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wearing gold bars when you are not a professional is not cool, wearing a flight suit is ok as long as you are not covered in unit patches of units you were never a member of. But as an item of clothing that is both useful and can save your life, there is nothing wrong with wearing it.
I have and do wear it if I'm flying vintage or an aircraft that I've never flown before, I also wear leather boots and gloves. I always use a helmet if I'm flying an open cockpit.
My personal rule is safety before fashion, it's better to be alive and ugly than dead and beautiful.
Fats
I have and do wear it if I'm flying vintage or an aircraft that I've never flown before, I also wear leather boots and gloves. I always use a helmet if I'm flying an open cockpit.
My personal rule is safety before fashion, it's better to be alive and ugly than dead and beautiful.
Fats
I actually have a flying suit covered with patches of squadrons that I have been a member of and patches of aircraft that I have flown as PIC. There is not much of the flying suit left to see, However, I would never wear it 
.
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I watched a TV episode of Ice Pilots (Buffalo Airways) shot in Canada. They coped with weather changing every five minutes, antiquated aircraft - the most modern looked to be a fifty year old Electra, minimal nav aids, cargoes of all kinds, with the pilots helping with the turnaround. All done without the help of any Nomex overalls or gold braid !
Standard dress of the day seemed to be a 'beanie' hat, scarf wound around the face, several layers of jackets and gloves. I can almost imagine the hysterical laughter if any new intake had arrived for work complete with gold bars.
Standard dress of the day seemed to be a 'beanie' hat, scarf wound around the face, several layers of jackets and gloves. I can almost imagine the hysterical laughter if any new intake had arrived for work complete with gold bars.