FlyinTLow From Germany, joined Oct 2004, 414 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2319 times:
Hi everyone once again!
I am posting this in the Tech/Ops forum cause I'm hoping a lot of people with actual experience with my question can share their experience with me:
As a student pilot I am going to start my practical flight lessons starting July in Phoenix, AZ. That means there is no way of avoiding purchasing a pair of sunglasses. So my question to all the pilots out there:
- what sunglasses do you have?
- what are your experiences with them?
- what kind of sunglasses do you recommend? (e.g. Aviators, polarized lenses)
- what color of lenses do you recommend?
All of those questions in respect to both flying small aircrafts as well as airliners (with LCD screens, etc.).
Any comments or links with further information are very much appreciated!
Cheers,
Thilo
P.S.: sorry if this topic has been discussed, a quick search didn't reveal anything to me...
Pihero From France, joined Jan 2005, 1884 posts, RR: 62 Reply 1, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2309 times:
You're right ! Glare can be fierce in Arizona in July !
I ha ve used the classical Ray-Ban for decades, but i found that the green lenses somehow prevent a good reading of the instruments in a glass cockpit.
Then, ten years ago, a friend of mine presented me a pair of grey lensed Randolph (simply called "the aviator") and I've used them ever since.
I advise avoiding these trendy new surfer type glasses as you could 1/= sweat into them, and 2/- you're bound to see some vision distorsion, or worse a complete blank-out of a given colour, the red in general.
Some friends swear by the Serengeti range,too and they seem better in hazy conditions...
So the choice is still yours, but go for a reputed brand with good optical lenses, go for practicality, not for looks or fashion. Polarized lenses are an ABSOLUTE NO-NO as quite a lot of aviation lights are polarised. You might find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation if you can't see the lights !
And get a comfortable baseball cap, too !
FutureUALpilot From United States, joined May 2000, 2221 posts, RR: 9 Reply 2, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2286 times:
Quoting Pihero (Reply 1): I ha ve used the classical Ray-Ban for decades
My dad gave me his old pair of Serengetis to wear when I fly and I love them. The ear pieces are small enough that they allow my headset to create a good seal and keep out most of the engine noise, but the lenses cover most of my vision without discoloring my charts at all. I agree with Pihero, go for functionality, not looks...I look like a bug of sorts with them on, but I wear a different, polarized pair of Optic Nerve glasses for everything but flying.
I do agree that polarized lenses are probably a negative thing when flying, as well as be careful of the lens cover.
FlyinTLow, don't sweat it. The search function cumbersome at best, and you'll often miss previous message strings.
I have used Serengetis for years. They give good protection from the sun, while allowing good visibility to the glass cockpit instruments. I had to change from my age old Ray-Bans, as the G15 Grey lens would not allow me to see the CRTs in some light.
On average, more people are killed yearly by falling coconuts (150), than by sharks (10).
Skyslave From United States, joined Oct 2005, 44 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 2143 times:
Quoting Pihero (Reply 1): Then, ten years ago, a friend of mine presented me a pair of grey lensed Randolph (simply called "the aviator") and I've used them ever since.
I just did a little research on these, and I'm totally ordering a pair. Now it comes down to gold frame, or chrome frame? Watch for my Oakley Wardens to pop-up on ebay.
Xjramper From United States, joined Dec 2003, 2086 posts, RR: 54 Reply 8, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2037 times:
If you have a few extra dollars, I do highly recommend the Oakley Half Jackets. I received three lense sets (ultra protection, overcast style, and twilight lense) and a hard case. They were not cheap, however, i can wear them up until final (if I am the PIC, i never wear sunglasses when I am landing). I can still see the GPS plain as day and they usually dont glare. I bought mine at www.avshop.com.
Bri2k1 From United States, joined Dec 2004, 797 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2012 times:
Quoting Xjramper (Reply 8): if I am the PIC, i never wear sunglasses when I am landing
Not even when you're landing into the sun?? This is not a good idea at all, especially if you're switching on final. The time it will take for your eyes to readjust will result in a period of momentary blindness at one of the most critical phases of flight. Out of curiosity, what is your motivation for this?
CptSpeaking From United States, joined Apr 2006, 594 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1962 times:
Gotta go with the classic pilot shades - Ray Bans.
A friend of mine wears Serengetis (sp?) though and loves them. I tried them once on a hazy afternoon and they cut right through the haze...quite amazing actually...
Cancidas From Poland, joined Jul 2003, 4112 posts, RR: 26 Reply 12, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1929 times:
IMO, there is but one option... Oakley. since i wear an Rx they're the only company that i've trsted over the years to provide me with a comforatabe and reliable eyeglass. they may be expensive, but they're worth the money. i have a few pairs now, mostly XXs and titnium chains. also just got a pair of whys.
"...cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home."
I posted my opinion here. You are going to get a lot of opinions here but I'd like to think mine is the most informed opinion you will have. For every pilot that loves Polaroids, there is one that hates them.
a quality pair of polaroids, made by someone who knows what they are doing, is best.
Xjramper From United States, joined Dec 2003, 2086 posts, RR: 54 Reply 14, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 1853 times:
Quoting Bri2k1 (Reply 9): Not even when you're landing into the sun?? This is not a good idea at all, especially if you're switching on final. The time it will take for your eyes to readjust will result in a period of momentary blindness at one of the most critical phases of flight. Out of curiosity, what is your motivation for this?
The aircraft that I fly have sunshades that block the sun just fine. I never wear sunglasses on final because I am more comfortable landing with them off. Nothing scientific, its just easier on me. And i dont take them off right on final, they usually come off on the 45 for downwind.
are you going to be a Lufthansa Bonanza in Goodyear? Watch out for them KLM/Sabena PA28's....you're gonna have a wild and fun time flying around AZ! And i flew around AZ with a pair of rayban aviators...
ThirtyEcho From United States, joined Dec 2001, 1262 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (1 year 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 983 times:
Another reason to avoid polarized lenses:
Ever caught sight of another airplane in flight because the sun glint caused a short flash off the aluminum? Polarized lenses will block the flash; not a good idea.
Soon7x7 From United States, joined May 2006, 1210 posts, RR: 1 Reply 21, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 947 times:
I use Serengeti's in gliders and Rayban Wayfarers w/ G-15 glass in power...both worked very well in Tucson and Florida, though based in NY. I like the Serengetis best as they cut glare best without the hassle of polorization...
Excellent glare reduction, I even wear them in overcast while driving, sharpens the image. Lousy durability but I destroy every pair of sunglasses I have ever owned in less than 18 months.
- what kind of sunglasses do you recommend? (e.g. Aviators, polarized lenses)
No polarized. Insturment glass is sometimes polarized, thus you can't see through it. Plus polarized lenses screw up your view of LCD stuff.
- what color of lenses do you recommend?
The standard brown.
All of those questions in respect to both flying small aircrafts as well as airliners (with LCD screens, etc.).
Any comments or links with further information are very much appreciated!
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