Flight school instructor clothes what do you think?

AngelFire_91 · August 8, 2009

Oh, and last, I always wear flip flops when I drive. I just have the common sense to slip them off as I sit down so they are out of the way. Been driving a stick, barefoot, for over 10 years. The only time there is a problem is with metal pedals when its 150ºF in the car!!

I agree as well, I drive in sandals all the time, however I slip them off and drive barefoot. Been doing that in a manual transmission for a loooong time now.

As far as at work. we are not allow to wear anything open toe'd. We had an accident a while ago where a student wearing flip flops was flying solo and sat a 300 down a little hard reasulting in Ground Resonance which eventually ripped the gas tank apart. The student made it out alive but his feet were burned very badley! As for clothes, Dockers and a Logo polo is what we are required to wear. I wouldn't mind a flight suit and I've defintely hit my head on the door frame of a 300 enough to wish I had a helmet as well.

NC AV8R · August 9, 2009

I must agree that there is no substitute for safety but I understand that it's not always feasible to wear a flight suit or a helmet.

With that being said, a Polo with logo and pants will suffice. Street clothes/open toed shoes should be out of the question.

gfowler · August 9, 2009

I always wear khakis, company shirt with logo, ball cap, and lace up shoes. The khakis look professional, the shirt is required, but also looks professional, the ball cap keeps the sun off the top of my head and provides some shade in the 300, and the lace up shoes will stay on my feet and provide some safety in the event of running away from a burning crash. I have had discovery flight students show up in flip flops, and I advise them not to wear such a thing in a helicopter. Of course, you see people riding motorcycles in shorts and flip flops also. Evolution in action.

Eric Hunt · August 10, 2009

"How can anything be more comfortable than a 1-piece flight suit?"

Well, a 1-piece is a horse's patootie. No side pockets to put things in - only thigh pockets or further down the leg, where they bash and jingle against the leg. Chest pockets are already full with security passes, wallet, and mobile phone, which is unable to hang on a belt because there is nowhere to put a belt!

And in the middle of winter, the need to respond to nature's call involves taking off the warm jacket, struggling out of the top of the 1-piece, sitting in the freezing cold in a t-shirt or less.

A big stretch, and The Boys get seriously compromised.

Mid-summer, and you need to land and roll some fuel drums around, and the 1-piece becomes a boiler suit, unless you unzip the top, roll it down and tie the arms around your waist, which looks really professional.

Operating in the tropics in a 1-piece, with a survival vest over the top, and you very quickly dissolve into a greasy blob.

So, to answer your question, any 2-piece suit or clothing is more comfortable than a 1-piece.

jehh · August 11, 2009

D) Flight Helmet and Nomex Flight suit.

IMHO should be the only option.

The Nomex flight suit thing only helps if you have the hood, boots, gloves, etc. You need to be sealed in it for it to work, otherwise the fire will just run up your arms and legs.

I do like flying with a helmet, but not in a R-22.

permison · August 11, 2009

The Nomex flight suit thing only helps if you have the hood, boots, gloves, etc. You need to be sealed in it for it to work, otherwise the fire will just run up your arms and legs.

I do like flying with a helmet, but not in a R-22.

I wear the boots and the gloves but not a hood. I was taught in flight school to turn the collar up which closes the neck area. The statement “ only helps if you have the hood, boots, gloves” couldn’t be more erroneous. I can't stress this enough. Even just wearing the flight suit alone will offer far more protection than any of the street clothing a pilot might wear. I would rather have 3rd degree burns on a small part of my body as opposed to 100%. I have seen firsthand what Nomex gear will do to protect the user in a fire. Watch this video and tell me Nomex won’t offer you any protection.

The use of Nomex or Armid flight suits will save you from more significant burns even if it is all you wear. You are correct the best option is a flight suit, gloves, proper boots, and gloves which is what I fly with even on hot days, yes even in a R22.

permison · August 11, 2009

Here is another good comparison between Nomex, Poly Cotton and just straight cotton. At the worst the crewman wearing the Nomex would have burned his head, hands and feet. The other two well you can see the results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGHkX_wOnwQ

Kind of seems stupid to me not to spend the $40 on Ebay for a Nomex flight suit. Wonder what the medical bills will be for the other two guys.

More importantly I won’t work for any company that forces me to wear a company uniform that does not include a Nomex flight suit and helmet. Forcing your flight staff and crew to wear non protective clothing like a cotton shirt and pants is just asking for trouble and I hope JETTSETT99 you will allow those who want to wear flight suits and other protective gear while flying to do so.

Ok, so I am starting to sound a bit like Fry with SSH (no offense Fry), but regardless, good advice is good advice (Fry had been warning of SSH for years before the comapny blew up). Having seen firsthand what a fire will do to someone I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy (well there was this one guy......)

Marc D · August 11, 2009

Those videos are interesting. It shows that while nomex might not be perfect, at least you don't become ---more---fuel for the fire. In a total engulfing of flames and heat you might still die, but with cotton, you might make a small fire worse. Interesting.

Marc D.

permison · August 11, 2009

Nothing is going to be perfect but can make a huge difference in the outcome.

BOATFIXERGUY · August 11, 2009

but, i have to throw water on the slippers idea (very important, don't ever call them flip flops in Hawaii). dp

Well, don't ever call them slippers on the mainland...

jehh · August 12, 2009

I wear the boots and the gloves but not a hood. I was taught in flight school to turn the collar up which closes the neck area. The statement " only helps if you have the hood, boots, gloves" couldn't be more erroneous. I can't stress this enough. Even just wearing the flight suit alone will offer far more protection than any of the street clothing a pilot might wear. I would rather have 3rd degree burns on a small part of my body as opposed to 100%. I have seen firsthand what Nomex gear will do to protect the user in a fire. Watch this video and tell me Nomex won't offer you any protection.

I was painting with a broad brush, you make a good point...

All I can tell you is that I've met too many pilots who think wearing a nomex flight suit by itself is complete fire protection. I can't tell you how many pilots I've said, "yes, but how are you going to open the burning door with your bare hands?", and the look on their face tells me they never thought about that one...

horsefly · August 12, 2009

If the school I instruct at didn't prefer the CFIs to wear a flightsuit I would go for the polo with dockers or similar. I'm all for safety but I agree that a flightsuit alone just doesn't quite get the job done without the gloves and helmet to go along. Not to mention that unless the temps. are quite cool I find the one piece to be quite a bit warmer than I like.

RkyMtnHI · August 12, 2009

Well, don't ever call them slippers on the mainland...

touche' :-)

dp

Gomer Pylot · August 12, 2009

I know of zero survivable civilian accidents in which Nomex would have made a difference. When people were firing HE, tracers, WP, and other fiery projectiles at me, wearing Nomex and a helmet made a lot of sense. But I find that I seldom get fired at as a civilian in the lower 48 of the USA. There are lots of accidents with fires, but in every case I know of, the occupants were dead before the fire even got started. Nomex only helps for a short time, and only if you're alive.

I agree with Eric, a one-piece flightsuit is a PITA. I hate them with a passion, Nomex or cotton or any other material. Any two-piece anything is more comfortable and more practical, as long as you aren't taking incoming tracers. Most of them even keep the cute little pocket on the left leg for holding the ejection seat safety pin. I don't need that very often, but if you're an old fart like me, it's handy for holding a very small pair of reading glasses in their case.

The helmet controversy will go on forever, and I will always be on the anti side, because I think they're distracting and heavy, and increase the probability of injuries. I wear one because I'm required to, but I hate it.

Edited August 12, 2009 by Gomer Pylot

permison · August 12, 2009

touche' :-)

dp

Unless you are in San Francisco where apparently everyone wears "slippers".

NonSequitur · August 12, 2009

Well, don't ever call them slippers on the mainland...

I almost always refer to them as slippers on the mainland.

I was surprised when I read someone say slippers but then I saw that it was dp

One thing we can all agree on; slippers are not flying equipment. Doesn't matter what kind of flying, fixed wing, rotor craft, skydiving, hang gliding, paragliding...