Gold Bars and Flying Suits
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 424
From: GA, USA
We've had many a thread here on the subject.
Personally I think you should have your medical revoked for being a complete tosser as you're clearly delusional for wearing bars and poop suits as a recreational pilot in a spam can.
Personally I think you should have your medical revoked for being a complete tosser as you're clearly delusional for wearing bars and poop suits as a recreational pilot in a spam can.
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: N/A
I knew from about age ten that this is what I wanted to do with my life.
By about age fifteen, I was trying to figure out how I was going to do it.
I went to my local airport 'Fairoaks', to try to talk to some pilots to seek their advice.
I saw a very impressive looking man walking across the ramp from a line up of planes.
I struck up a conversation about the best way forward, thinking he must know a lot more than me, due to his high stature.
He was dressed like Idi Amin or some other East African General, only with more braids and tassels and scrambled egg.
The only thing that was missing was the medals.
When I asked him what he was flying, he said it was a Cherokee Arrow.
"Well, when you've hit the big time, like me" was his comment.
Then I realized he was in complete and utter **** wearing a fancy dress costume.
I came to America in the early 1980s with about 125 hours, thinking I was 'hot stuff'.
After all I had done a trip to Le Touquet in the complex aircraft.
We had planned the trip like it was a Space Shuttle launch.
When we took off, I soon pointed out the destination.
It was then that I realized that Lydd to Le Touquet was the same distance as St Petersburg to Tampa.
When I was a flight instructor, one student from New Zealand turned up in an old moth eaten RNZAF flying suit.
After his first lesson, I told him to wash that old stinky thing, or I wouldn't fly with him again.
He didn't, so I passed him off on another instructor.
The next day, I saw the thing drying on the clothes line.
I think the old boy had a few screws loose.
Why anybody would want anything more than shorts and a tee-shirt in summer is beyond me.
'It ain't 'alf hot Mum!'
About ten/fifteen years ago my crew had to dead head from Germany to the UK.
Whilst waiting in the departure hall a stewardess in the operating crew caught my eye, and I went to investigate.
The BM Captain had dressed and presented himself like he was John Steed from The Avengers.
Leather gloves, wing tip pointy boots, eagle head walking cane, and that 'Old Etonian' bent sideways at the knee stance.
When he spoke I thought 'you've got to be kidding me, surely it was a put on', what's with the "Air-hair-lair, I'm Lord Ponsenby Smith-Smyth." thing anyway?
He spoke on the intercom the entire flight.
Thank gawd it was a quick trip, for I had my fingers in my ears the entire time.
That voice was like finger nails on a chalk board to me.
The flaming ego had landed.
There are a few strange birds in America too.
But I quite like the stuntman 'Super Dave' from the David Letterman Show look myself.
The one piece white jumpsuit with a blue and a red stripe down the side, with the scrambled egg blue baseball cap that said Captain.
I just gotta get me one of those.
It just doesn't go well with a Cherokee 140 as a ride.
By about age fifteen, I was trying to figure out how I was going to do it.
I went to my local airport 'Fairoaks', to try to talk to some pilots to seek their advice.
I saw a very impressive looking man walking across the ramp from a line up of planes.
I struck up a conversation about the best way forward, thinking he must know a lot more than me, due to his high stature.
He was dressed like Idi Amin or some other East African General, only with more braids and tassels and scrambled egg.
The only thing that was missing was the medals.
When I asked him what he was flying, he said it was a Cherokee Arrow.
"Well, when you've hit the big time, like me" was his comment.
Then I realized he was in complete and utter **** wearing a fancy dress costume.
I came to America in the early 1980s with about 125 hours, thinking I was 'hot stuff'.
After all I had done a trip to Le Touquet in the complex aircraft.
We had planned the trip like it was a Space Shuttle launch.
When we took off, I soon pointed out the destination.
It was then that I realized that Lydd to Le Touquet was the same distance as St Petersburg to Tampa.
When I was a flight instructor, one student from New Zealand turned up in an old moth eaten RNZAF flying suit.
After his first lesson, I told him to wash that old stinky thing, or I wouldn't fly with him again.
He didn't, so I passed him off on another instructor.
The next day, I saw the thing drying on the clothes line.
I think the old boy had a few screws loose.
Why anybody would want anything more than shorts and a tee-shirt in summer is beyond me.
'It ain't 'alf hot Mum!'
About ten/fifteen years ago my crew had to dead head from Germany to the UK.
Whilst waiting in the departure hall a stewardess in the operating crew caught my eye, and I went to investigate.
The BM Captain had dressed and presented himself like he was John Steed from The Avengers.
Leather gloves, wing tip pointy boots, eagle head walking cane, and that 'Old Etonian' bent sideways at the knee stance.
When he spoke I thought 'you've got to be kidding me, surely it was a put on', what's with the "Air-hair-lair, I'm Lord Ponsenby Smith-Smyth." thing anyway?
He spoke on the intercom the entire flight.
Thank gawd it was a quick trip, for I had my fingers in my ears the entire time.
That voice was like finger nails on a chalk board to me.
The flaming ego had landed.
There are a few strange birds in America too.
But I quite like the stuntman 'Super Dave' from the David Letterman Show look myself.
The one piece white jumpsuit with a blue and a red stripe down the side, with the scrambled egg blue baseball cap that said Captain.
I just gotta get me one of those.
It just doesn't go well with a Cherokee 140 as a ride.
Last edited by button push ignored; 24th August 2017 at 18:28.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Kent
Well 4 bars might be OK for someone who needs a co-pilot to help them out - for a real sky-god 
, flying all by themselves, in a complicated C152 
I think this is more appropriate:
Available from your favourite shop: 5-bar Novelty Epaulette
OC619
, flying all by themselves, in a complicated C152 I think this is more appropriate:Available from your favourite shop: 5-bar Novelty Epaulette
OC619
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 2
From: Oxford, UK
hey, button push, there are a few things DIFFERENT about flying from ye olde white cliffes of Dover to the shores of France.
First of all, IT'S WET DOWN THERE. and very very cold. Are you WEARING your life jackets? because sure as hell if you end up in the water you won't have time to put them on.
And the difference between flying from St. Petersburg to Tampa, crossing that beautiful wide bay, following the long bridge to the other side, even without a life jacket on, you can enjoy the warm water of Tampa Bay for quite a while before losing it. Your life, that is. I met another sailor in Florida who fell off his own sailboat, and was in the water for 24 hours, and lived to tell the tale. He said he would never forget how beautiful his boat looked as he saw it sailing away, helm secured, without him! The next day, he was rescued by a shrimp boat, and had to stay on board until they had gathered their day's catch; his wife had given up hope by then.
First of all, IT'S WET DOWN THERE. and very very cold. Are you WEARING your life jackets? because sure as hell if you end up in the water you won't have time to put them on.
And the difference between flying from St. Petersburg to Tampa, crossing that beautiful wide bay, following the long bridge to the other side, even without a life jacket on, you can enjoy the warm water of Tampa Bay for quite a while before losing it. Your life, that is. I met another sailor in Florida who fell off his own sailboat, and was in the water for 24 hours, and lived to tell the tale. He said he would never forget how beautiful his boat looked as he saw it sailing away, helm secured, without him! The next day, he was rescued by a shrimp boat, and had to stay on board until they had gathered their day's catch; his wife had given up hope by then.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: A land down under
I know of someone (a PPL) who recently completed a round the world trip - he did it in a flying suit with 4 bars because he realized some of the places he was flying through wouldn't take his trip seriously/provide services etc. unless he actually looked the part. This proved to be the case in some of his stop-offs.
Wondering if it was a pic of him!
Wondering if it was a pic of him!
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Cumbria
I would say gold bars should be confined to commercial pilots who are PIC. Many years ago I bumped into a PPL at IOM airport, in the black, black tie, white shirt and four gold bars, we were a bit puzzeled, despite the fact we have worked hard to gain a CPL/ATPL. Anyway this pilot was effectively passing as prossional qualified with a business owner and clients in the company aircraft. Thebottom line is he flew into the side of a mountain killing himself and five others.
As to flying suits (flying coveralls) there primarily designed to protect you from fire, but have the advantage of built in knee pads and lots of places to stow things securely, including pens, charts and a knife. Some aircraft it is difficult take a flight, such as a Pitts, Tiger, or Chipmunk, and solve alot of problems during during aerobatic flight, as you can keep your loose change in a zip up pocket. I think I wore flying coverals on my CPL test, but from an organational sort of point, the examiner was ex-RAF so he was fine about it.
Likewise the RAF style flying gloves give protection against lacerations and fire. In the summer months, when people might be in shorts and a short sleeved shirt, it is very easy to put on a flying suit, who afterall who would fly in shorts or a skirt, appart from cabin crew.
I believe in the 1970s pilots from both Hamble and Oxford wore flying coveralls, but these days commercial cadet pilots, want to dress up like airline pilots. Oddly, on the subject of clothing, no so long ago, I visted an airport, and I think it was Oxford, and the cadets were wearing nylon flying jackets, how stuped. After the Falklands conflict the CAA issued a directive through an AIC that pilots should attempt to wear clothing made from cotton.wool, and leather, including underwear, socks and shoes. This was because during ships fires, some of the burns were compounded by sythetic clothing including socks and underwear. A few years after that CAA directive, as an instructor, I was issued with a sythetic uniform to which I asked for a suitable natural fibre alternative, which rather upset the club.
There must be a good reason that the RAF on the AEF and UAS Grob 115 wear flying coverals, it is not to pose. Twenty five years ago few cyclists wore helmets, including myself, because of perceptions of cycle helmets. Now cycle helmets are the norm.
I don't think you should always knock flying coverals, sometimes the are worn for the right reasons, sometimes not.
As to flying suits (flying coveralls) there primarily designed to protect you from fire, but have the advantage of built in knee pads and lots of places to stow things securely, including pens, charts and a knife. Some aircraft it is difficult take a flight, such as a Pitts, Tiger, or Chipmunk, and solve alot of problems during during aerobatic flight, as you can keep your loose change in a zip up pocket. I think I wore flying coverals on my CPL test, but from an organational sort of point, the examiner was ex-RAF so he was fine about it.
Likewise the RAF style flying gloves give protection against lacerations and fire. In the summer months, when people might be in shorts and a short sleeved shirt, it is very easy to put on a flying suit, who afterall who would fly in shorts or a skirt, appart from cabin crew.
I believe in the 1970s pilots from both Hamble and Oxford wore flying coveralls, but these days commercial cadet pilots, want to dress up like airline pilots. Oddly, on the subject of clothing, no so long ago, I visted an airport, and I think it was Oxford, and the cadets were wearing nylon flying jackets, how stuped. After the Falklands conflict the CAA issued a directive through an AIC that pilots should attempt to wear clothing made from cotton.wool, and leather, including underwear, socks and shoes. This was because during ships fires, some of the burns were compounded by sythetic clothing including socks and underwear. A few years after that CAA directive, as an instructor, I was issued with a sythetic uniform to which I asked for a suitable natural fibre alternative, which rather upset the club.
There must be a good reason that the RAF on the AEF and UAS Grob 115 wear flying coverals, it is not to pose. Twenty five years ago few cyclists wore helmets, including myself, because of perceptions of cycle helmets. Now cycle helmets are the norm.
I don't think you should always knock flying coverals, sometimes the are worn for the right reasons, sometimes not.
Last edited by Homsap; 24th August 2017 at 08:02.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,401
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Does it really matter whether a spamcan pilot wears a flying suit with or without rank slides on the epaulettes? Surely there must be rather more important things about which to feel concerned....
CAA-approved leather underwear 
?
the CAA issued a directive through an AIC that pilots should attempt to wear clothing made from cotton, wool, and leather, including underwear, socks and shoes.
?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 814
Likes: 52
From: Lechlade, Glos.UK
Actually, HRH Wales wore 4 bars on his flying suit. Many civilian Captains wear flying suits and do the same. I don't. OK, for the normal GA pilot (who is actually an aircraft 'captain'), it is a bit OTT. However, is it any different to wearing a plethora of old Sqn badges or RAF wings? Flying is fun and many of us like to keep links with our past. Yes, wearing wings (or a Jaguar patch as I do) is egotistical, but we are proud of what we have achieved. And is the wearing of flying suits not egotistical? In part yes, but definable a safety issue. For my part, wearing short-sleeved shirts, shorts and sandals to go flying is just plain stupid, but many do.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 14
From: Australia
.....As to flying suits (flying coveralls) there primarily designed to protect you from fire, ..... Likewise the RAF style flying gloves give protection against lacerations and fire. In the summer months, when people might be in shorts and a short sleeved shirt, it is very easy to put on a flying suit, who afterall who would fly in shorts or a skirt, appart from cabin crew... ...I don't think you should always knock flying coverals, sometimes the are worn for the right reasons, sometimes not.
.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 814
Likes: 52
From: Lechlade, Glos.UK
I would say gold bars should be confined to commercial pilots who are PIC. Many years ago I bumped into a PPL at IOM airport, in the black, black tie, white shirt and four gold bars, we were a bit puzzeled, despite the fact we have worked hard to gain a CPL/ATPL. Anyway this pilot was effectively passing as prossional qualified with a business owner and clients in the company aircraft. Thebottom line is he flew into the side of a mountain killing himself and five others.
As to flying suits (flying coveralls) there primarily designed to protect you from fire, but have the advantage of built in knee pads and lots of places to stow things securely, including pens, charts and a knife. Some aircraft it is difficult take a flight, such as a Pitts, Tiger, or Chipmunk, and solve alot of problems during during aerobatic flight, as you can keep your loose change in a zip up pocket. I think I wore flying coverals on my CPL test, but from an organational sort of point, the examiner was ex-RAF so he was fine about it.
Agree all what you write. Moreover, anyone who has read Richard Hilary's book 'The Last Enemy' will know the importance of wearing gloves.
Likewise the RAF style flying gloves give protection against lacerations and fire. In the summer months, when people might be in shorts and a short sleeved shirt, it is very easy to put on a flying suit, who afterall who would fly in shorts or a skirt, appart from cabin crew.
I believe in the 1970s pilots from both Hamble and Oxford wore flying coveralls, but these days commercial cadet pilots, want to dress up like airline pilots. Oddly, on the subject of clothing, no so long ago, I visted an airport, and I think it was Oxford, and the cadets were wearing nylon flying jackets, how stuped. After the Falklands conflict the CAA issued a directive through an AIC that pilots should attempt to wear clothing made from cotton.wool, and leather, including underwear, socks and shoes. This was because during ships fires, some of the burns were compounded by sythetic clothing including socks and underwear. A few years after that CAA directive, as an instructor, I was issued with a sythetic uniform to which I asked for a suitable natural fibre alternative, which rather upset the club.
There must be a good reason that the RAF on the AEF and UAS Grob 115 wear flying coverals, it is not to pose. Twenty five years ago few cyclists wore helmets, including myself, because of perceptions of cycle helmets. Now cycle helmets are the norm.
As to flying suits (flying coveralls) there primarily designed to protect you from fire, but have the advantage of built in knee pads and lots of places to stow things securely, including pens, charts and a knife. Some aircraft it is difficult take a flight, such as a Pitts, Tiger, or Chipmunk, and solve alot of problems during during aerobatic flight, as you can keep your loose change in a zip up pocket. I think I wore flying coverals on my CPL test, but from an organational sort of point, the examiner was ex-RAF so he was fine about it.
Agree all what you write. Moreover, anyone who has read Richard Hilary's book 'The Last Enemy' will know the importance of wearing gloves.
Likewise the RAF style flying gloves give protection against lacerations and fire. In the summer months, when people might be in shorts and a short sleeved shirt, it is very easy to put on a flying suit, who afterall who would fly in shorts or a skirt, appart from cabin crew.
I believe in the 1970s pilots from both Hamble and Oxford wore flying coveralls, but these days commercial cadet pilots, want to dress up like airline pilots. Oddly, on the subject of clothing, no so long ago, I visted an airport, and I think it was Oxford, and the cadets were wearing nylon flying jackets, how stuped. After the Falklands conflict the CAA issued a directive through an AIC that pilots should attempt to wear clothing made from cotton.wool, and leather, including underwear, socks and shoes. This was because during ships fires, some of the burns were compounded by sythetic clothing including socks and underwear. A few years after that CAA directive, as an instructor, I was issued with a sythetic uniform to which I asked for a suitable natural fibre alternative, which rather upset the club.
There must be a good reason that the RAF on the AEF and UAS Grob 115 wear flying coverals, it is not to pose. Twenty five years ago few cyclists wore helmets, including myself, because of perceptions of cycle helmets. Now cycle helmets are the norm.
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 2
From: UK
I used to wear a flying suit in the Chipmunk as it kept the oil off your clothes during the pre and post flight. When it wore out I just wore an old pair of jeans and a past-its-prime shirt. In the L4 Cub in summer, flying with the side open, shorts and T shirt were the norm, often bare foot as well.
I once accompanied a Beech Musketeer pilot to Skegness. He wore a flying suit.. in a Musketeer! On arrival his circuits were so massive that he kept losing sight of the field, and when spotting it, approaching it too far off runway heading to land. After half a dozen attempts and a bit of advice he kept the circuit tighter and managed to land. By now quite a crowd had gathered by the club house to see what on earth was going on with all these off-axis go-arounds.
The Beech owner took off his flying suit while still in the aeroplane "so they won't know who was flying it". As we 3 (we had a back seat pax) walked to the clubhouse from the aeroplane me and the pax positioned ourselves either side of our pilot, making vigorous pointing gestures at him. I think he took it in good heart.
I once accompanied a Beech Musketeer pilot to Skegness. He wore a flying suit.. in a Musketeer! On arrival his circuits were so massive that he kept losing sight of the field, and when spotting it, approaching it too far off runway heading to land. After half a dozen attempts and a bit of advice he kept the circuit tighter and managed to land. By now quite a crowd had gathered by the club house to see what on earth was going on with all these off-axis go-arounds.
The Beech owner took off his flying suit while still in the aeroplane "so they won't know who was flying it". As we 3 (we had a back seat pax) walked to the clubhouse from the aeroplane me and the pax positioned ourselves either side of our pilot, making vigorous pointing gestures at him. I think he took it in good heart.
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From: Behind the curve
More than 4 decades of flying for my living, both military and commercial, during which I was required by the job to "look the part". The only situation which justifies private pilots having to present a similar image in my opinion, is when flying through Third World countries where, as Glasgow_Flyer suggests the natives might be impressed.
These days while involved in PPL activities, I wear flame-resistant coveralls to keep the dirt off my clothes during aircraft inspections. What a t....r I'd feel if I adorned myself with regalia!
These days while involved in PPL activities, I wear flame-resistant coveralls to keep the dirt off my clothes during aircraft inspections. What a t....r I'd feel if I adorned myself with regalia!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 18
From: Ashwell
Just out of interest and bearing in mind the comments so far, does anybody do an "unflashy" flight jacket in Nomex? That would reduce the "posing" factor and be safer than the usual fabrics that are used.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 0
From: Glens o' Angus by way of LA
The starting point could be 1,000 hours per bar.
download.jpg
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: go west
could not care less what people wear when they fly, or what they wear in general and I certainly don't see the point creating a thread about this topic once a year or so.. does broadcasting your disapproval makes you feel better about yourselves?