Rusty,

If whoever is buying the jacket has deep pockets I would suggest you try http://www.flying-jacket.com at Thruxton. I understand they make the jackets for the Royal Airforce and Transair but sell them cheaper than Transair. You could always join up and get one for free!!!

Rusty

Sadly, you do not get a leather one for free if you join! It still costs, but...

For flying in, the Cold Wx Jacket is practical, but doesn't look good.

The blue leather looks smarter but isn't flown in.

The Irvin Flying Jacket from Aviation Leathercraft - the genuine article!

Buy it for yourself, not an image or what others think.

Have fun choosing. Best Wishes.

Morning Rusty,
If you want a Jacket , go ahead and get one, but make sure it has a few bullet holes in it that way you can really tell a tale as well as being bulky unable to bend your arms and hot.
My Regards

Just to throw in my few pence worth - I received one of the cotton lighweight jackets for a prezzie a while ago, and have found it most suitable for throwing on for driving down to the shops at night. Always concerned about its fuel-resistance, it stays well away from light aircraft.

As for the 'naff' embroidered wings, I paid best part of £3,000 for my licence. All my savings, etc, etc - so I don't mind people seeing what I've acheived.

EO

Hi all

well let's have a quick count up:

Jacket £100 ish
Sunglasses £50 ish
Gloves £35 ish

That's almost £200.

I would say best to save that up and add that to your Chrissy prezzie and get her to buy you a little hand held GPS. I've got a Pilot III and it's brill.

However, forget the prezzies and get it yourself you won't regret it.

I can commend the Aviation Leathercraft flying jacket most highly indeed. I have had one of the Slate Grey ones for a while now and it is excellent.

http://www.flying-jacket.com/jackets.asp

However, for actual flying of light aircraft and at a price more realistic than £250 I heartily recommed a RAF Cold Weather Flying Jacket. Silvermans do a good line - I suggest you buy a part worn one as it looks better and costs very little and it doesn't matter if you get it oily etc.

They are very practical in terms of fire resistance, showerproof, zip pockets, pen holder on sleeve and are cut short in the back so are comfy when strapped into a seat.

Cheers

WWW

HI. If you can get hold of one get a military issue JACKET COLD WEATHER M.K. 3. they are made for the job.probably find one at a good surplus store like Silvermans off the mile end road.they advertise in mags for bikers and F.H.M. ETC or at a stall at an airshow. Bye For Now

Listen, I guess you are flattered by all of this attention. But you would rather have your questsion answered, i reckon. If you have 90 quid to spare, go to Transair, and but an " Aviation Industries CWU-45/P"

I have one. Its warm, has all the pockets and pen holders you will ever need, its light, its durable, looks great and can handle a regular walk round and then being slung on the back seat of a PA28 for a few hours. In short, there are loads to choose from, but this will last you years and years. It also has the sort of look that will get better the more you wear it.

Regards.

Rusty-
first flying gloves/suit (even a bonedome!), then an expensive jet, now a flying jacket...

...WHY???

Just a fleece, no need for all the other cr*p, although I agree with the gent that suggests the Mil Cold Weather jacket...*very* nice, even if mine doesn't fit...
...have to "appropriate" a new one during my Gliding Scholarship at Abingdon/RAF Benson starting Thursday. :) :)
-tacc

Thanks everyone!

just to set the record stright, the Flying Gloves were cos I'm sick of getting my hands dirty! the bonedome was a joke, the expensive jet a hypothetical! and the flying Jacket cos im cold!

:) :) :)
Rusty

Hey RC -what heap are you flying if you get yer hands dirty?

Doc.,
If you don`t get your hands dirty doing a pre-flight inspection, you aren`t doing it properly.

Mike W

Just out of interest what would you guys recomend for flying in an open cockpit??? I want to be warm but don't want to look like a prat. I always thought that the Irvin jackets looked a little pretentious but it would be nice to know what you guys think.

Cheers,

LE.

Im with Skylark - if you can do a walk round and not get dirty mits then youve missed a few things. Checking brake hoses, plug leads, hydraulic levels and tank vents and drains is a grubby task most of the time.......

Lone Eagle.
I would imagine an Irvin would be perfectly acceptable, but should only be worn when within visual range of the aircraft.
I have flown in a Tiggy and would recommend leather for windproofing and a scarf to seal the gaps around the neck. Silk is NOT required. That was used by fighter pilots who used to swivel their heads about looking for possible attackers and got their necks rubbed raw on the rough serge from which their uniform was Made.

Regards

Mike W

Open cockpit - don't worry about looking a prat and get one of those outfits that hang-glider pilots wear, especially in winter. Better a warm prat than a very cool brass monkey.

If a headset is involved in your flying, and the sun still shines occasionally in the UK, then the Randolphs are a great idea. Far more comfortable to wear than any others.

Can't think to wear them anywhere other than the cockpit though - a bit too Top Gun'ish.

Have to agree about the Randolphs - I bought a pair 12 years ago, and they are just as good today as they were then.

The only drawback is their weight on the nose, especially if you wear them for several hours.

I have them on one of these strings around the neck, which probably explains why I haven't lost them, although it isn't very cool.

I am considering getting another pair with the bayonet arms to fit a headset better.

SD


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