BEagle

I quite like the uniforms worn by the students at a famous institute quite near you.

My observation suggests that they start off as a traffic warden and graduate as a commander in the Swiss navy.

Still, at least it establishes an obvious hierarchy.

I'd just like to preface my comments by admitting that I did fly an exec 727 - although I've moved on to something slightly more modern (although still with three engines)...and, no - I didn't have a cap!!

I (like many in my side of the profession), will normally change as late as possible from our anonymous white shirts and into the ties/epaulettes/jackets that are required uniform items.

I was at Kidlington one day and overhead a very 'senior' Instructor comment that I'd never get a job in aviation dressed so casually...his face was a picture when he walked out to his PA28 and me to 'my' multi-million pound executive jet.

To most of us professional pilots, a uniform is something that you wear whilst at work - it certainly makes life easier when dealing with the ground staff at airports...and we cannot wait to take it off so as to slide into invisibility when the working day is done - you certainly won't get offered any booze whilst passengering in uniform (if you can find an airline that still offers alcohol to the fare paying public!!)

Hi,

As someone who is about to finish their PPL soon I think that there is nothing wrong with wearing stripes. The amount of time and effort that has gone into getting the licence there should be a way to "show off". I wouldnt go as far as the hat with PILOT written on it, but walking to the plane with some stripes on your sholder is a nice way to say i've done it! It may be a case of new pilot trying to increase his ego, and give me a year and ill be wearing shorts and t-shirts like the rest of you! End of the day you have earned them so why not wear them?

I do have a question about what stripes correspond to. Ie I believe that 4 stipulates that you are the captain? In which case as PIC/Captain of an aircraft (even if it is a single engine PPL putter) the pilot constitues the captain and therefore the 4 stripes? Or is it done on hours/ratings/etc?

Thanks

727070 - I quite understand your point about wishing to show the pride you will shortly have in becoming a licensed pilot. But the wearing of any uniform implies that you are the member of the organisation which issued that uniform; they in turn will have some rank structure which governs the wearing of appropriate braid on the uniform epaulettes. There is no single standard.

Whilst you would be quite at liberty to wear whatever you wish on your shoulder, it may invite ridicule which is inappropriate in a flying environment, particularly for a newcomer. So I would gently suggest that you resist the temptation to wear shoulder insignia in a flying club environment.

One thing you may wish to consider is the AOPA wings scheme which is being launched in the UK. Depending on your experience and achievements, you may wear the discrete AOPA bronze, silver, gold or platinum wings - these mark you out as a pilot who has progressed through the club flying world in a sound manner.

I do recall reading in P***t an article by an Australian owner of a Cessna Caravan (name escapes me but no doubt someone will tell me) who has taken it round the world.

His advice on the important things to take with you included a uniform shirt with epaulettes and bars.

It's amazing what you can get away with if you look as though you belong. Apparantly standard equipment for Oxford Streeet shoplifters includes a high-vis waistcoat.

And of course Max Boyce, the leek-bearing welsh comedian told the story of how you could get into the Arms Park without a ticket providing you were dressed correctly. On match day the referees arrived in 3 double-decker buses!

Mike

I'd go with the wings, people can see that you are a pilot - you won't look ludicrous at the same time.

You could always do what i did - Go to an ex-army surplus shop and get an RAF flightsuit. They are very comfortable and have useful pockets all over them, includeing clear ones very useful for GPS, Maps, papers, etc.

WelshFlyer.

suits you, sir

orbackup incase I got it wrong first time

need to get one for the toy - no room in the cockpit!

FL

Dick Smith
 

Hello mrcross,
The Caravan owner would be Mr Dick Smith. I talked to him only a week ago while he was flying his wife in the Caravan. I think he also owns a B206 Jetranger.:ok:

Thanks Sedgie, knew someone would come up trumps. What this highlights I suppose is the need to dress appropriately. Flying suit is good for open cockpit or a cold, old and oily aeroplane or for crawling round on a pre-flight (they are after all called "overalls"). Uniform is good when dealing with "security".

Incidentally I do favour the use of name badges by staff.
I well remember gliding at one of the major clubs. I knew very few people, the instructors were mostly part time volunteers so there was always a new lot on duty and you never knew who was who. All very intimidating for the newcomer and presenting a closed and cliquey face to the customer. The reverse must also be true, instructors would no doubt find it useful to be instantly able to put a name to a face.

The piece de resistance was when I was on a weekend course and we were roundly and loudly boll***ed from the peri track by one of the female members for crossing the landing area. The instructor accompanying us had to walk back and educate her that we did know what we were doing, had checked that the circuit was clear, and were keeping a continuous lookout.


Mike

Well the practical (from an aviation perspective) merits of wearing flying suits has been done to death here, but I'd like to move the topic on to...

The best use of a flying suit.

Here's my starter.

When I was in the UAS (Birmingham), away on camp for 2 weeks flying Bulldogs we held a party in the middle of each camp. We would, quite literally, bus in nurses for the party from the local hospital. The promise of meeting RAF pilots & free booze seemed to work a trick!

Anyhow, the best line used one evening was,
"would you like to come back to my room to see my flying suit".
All credit was due to the guy who delivered it- as it had the desired result...

I have to admit that now I've entered the world of vintage aircraft that the gloves are a really good idea. They don't stay white long but they save a hell of a lot of wear and tear on the pinkies.

The one thing to remember is that whatever you fly don't let it go to your head as there's always some B*gger who's one up on you!

A few years ago I went to a gliding evening at the local club. At the end of the evening I was fortunate enough to get the hanger flight. After some aeros and a beat up of the adjoining (and well snarled) motorway we headed in followed by the other glider that was being used for demo flights. He made a better hand of the landing and arrived much closer to the Hanger than we did. As our aircraft was being towed to the hanger a car roared up to the other glider, where the occupants were unstrapping and an irate gentleman leapt out and demanded to know who was flying the last glider down and that he'd never seen such an irresponsible display and so on and on. The instructor told him it was all legal and above board and that he had no grounds to complain. Whereupon Mr Angry points to his uniform and annouces that as a first officer for XXXX he knew what was legal and what was not. At this point the passenger interupted and said it all looked perfectly fine to him. Oh sneered Mr angry and what qualifies you to say that! Oh nothing much came the reply just twenty years on the Concorde fleet. That stoped Mr Angry dead in the water. At least he had the decency to turn red as he stomped off to his car and drove away!;)

Isn't that the truth!

I guess the only recreational pilot/aircraft owner who can afford to lord it over everyone else is John Travolta (pretty difficult to surpass operating your own 707!).

Doesn't he look smart!

Mike

Sorry, going back to the Cabair uniform, I've read his forum with instrest and am amaised at the number of people who have commented on this subject. I work for Cabair and my collegues were at the kemble show.
The uniform that we ware, is the uniform that is issued by the company. We don't ware our bars by choice, it is the uniform that Cabair have selected.
To have the P*** taken out of us in that way is rude and offensive.:(

of course such comments are very insulting, and I for one would not tolerate these comments if i heard someone saying them to another pilot.

People don't take the piss out of RAF uniforms do they? no, no, it's a case of "isn't he proud to wear his country's uniform" well why the hell can't it be "isn't he proud to wear his COMPANY's uniform"

and then let us remind ourselfs that such uiforms are part of our "aviation identity" and i'd be proud to wear my company's uniform (that is if I had a company:E )

well, that's my two penneth.

WelshFlyer.