Uniform poll-- Aircrew Uniforms

[RiverAux]

I have been noticing for several years the decline in the wear of the AF style flight suit by CAP aircrews as well as the decline in any of the CAP flight suit versions and that more and more aircrews are wearing the gray pants/blue shirt combo.

Personally I think the reasons for this are easy to understand.  The primary reason is probably that it is more comfortable (in warm weather), cheaper, and more all-around useful than a flight suit.  I do not think it has anything to do with "anti-military" or anti-AF feelings. 

I've got some mixed feelings about this.  On the one hand, there have been a few times when there have actually been flight crews all in the same uniform -- a rarity in the past.  That increased "uniformity" is good for us.  However, they inevitable byproduct of the decline the wear of the AF or CAP "military" uniforms is a loss of our historic paramilitary image, which I believe is a bad thing. 

I believe it is California that requires NOMEX on all flights so those folks will probably be choosing Option 1 or 2.  (Lets not discuss that particular topic here).   

[arajca]

IMHO, the problem is many more aircrew are having to purchase their own flying uniforms because there are not as many available to be issued. With nomex flight suits costing $150+ (not including ebay, which many CAP aircrew members don't use, based on my experieince with them), they are looking at a significantly lower priced uniform.


From talking with many a/c members, they either don't have the computer literacy to use ebay or similar sites, or don't the methods of payment. This does not include all a/c members, but does inlcude many.

[flynd94]

CAWG does require flight suits on missions.  Its also a PCR requirement.  I think anyone who fly's a mission should be in.  I prefer NOMEX to the polo shirt.  We had a member who was involved in a crash a few years back and, the only parts of his body burned were his hands and face.  They were sans NOMEX.  I wear my CAP flight suit on every mission along with my NOMEX gloves.

[SarDragon]

I got both of my flight suits on eBay - green a few years ago when its wear was still authorized for "fuzzies", and blue about four months ago. Each was less than $100, and in excellent condition.

[Al Sayre]

I've got 4 green nomex flight suits from ebay, and the most I paid was $30.00... for any one.  You just have to be patient

[SarDragon]

Ah, yes, patience. First you need to find one of the right size, then you have to win the bid. I had a budget, so it took me three tries on the blue one.

[BillB]

I lucked out and had an old USAF flight suit that was the wrong size, got it on eBay for $20. The local University AFROTC somehow had a surplus of brand new, still in the plastic wrapping, Nomex flight suits they were sending to DRMO and I traded for one my size.

[Pumbaa]

I got my green FS on ebay for under $30.

I agree though, if you are not patient, nor internet savvy, you will spend a whole lot more $$ for a FS.  I agree the $$ would be a big reason for people choosing an alternate.

Still I'll stick with the FS... I don't forget the 'chick' factor.. Man those hotties, dig a guy in a flight suit!   

[Al Sayre]

...every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressd man (in baggy green pj's)

[stillamarine]

Our minumum required is Grey/Blue, but people can wear flight suits. I think the reason most wear the grey/blue (I'm talking about here only) is how hot it is and the fact that right now we are flying 2 sorties a day. Much cheaper to have a couple pairs of pants and a couple polos then to have a couple green bags. Just an opinion. I plan on getting a flight suit when I find one in my size.

[Hawk200]

I picked up a few on eBay for a good price. Two, I got in the wrong size (I've gotten a little wider since then), for $35 each, another I got for $30.

May put them up in the marketplace, since no one in my unit seems to be able to wear them (most of them are bigger than me).

[stillamarine]

Well if anyone comes across a 44 short or regular let me know 

[Dragoon]

The golf shirt is indeed really popular. And it has resulted in a brand new attitude toward CAP.

I was out an an airport with my Observer trainee, each of us in the blue field uniform.  We were passed by an airport flight instructor who said "Oh, you're Civil Air Patrol.  I had no idea you guys had ranks!"

He knew what CAP was.  He just had no clue were were at all military, as he'd only seen golf-shirted members.

I would be a lot happier with the golf shirt if it was mandatory to have you name and grade embroidered on it.

[LTC_Gadget]

I got a brand-new navy blue flight suit off ebay recently for $59 total.  As someone indicated previously, patience is a virtue..

V/R,

[Smokey]

You may want to try           www.flighthelmet.com           Prices are very reasonable.......based on conditon including unissued for about $110.  They have both navy blue and green zoom bags. 

[O-Rex]

I got a brand-new navy blue flight suit off ebay recently for $59 total.  As someone indicated previously, patience is a virtue..

V/R,

That was me!    Blue Nomex fo $59 was a steal!!  I got new-in-the bag green ones for $85 a piece: they were in an oddball category in "e-bay motors," and nobody bid against me.   

I got new blue nomex for $190 from Aureus International.  I thought about buying the utility uniform from Vanguard, until I saw one up-close. . . .

For some reason, I like the "blue-bags:"  reminds me of the digs from 'SeaQuest DSV' or 'ST: Enterprise.' 

First thing I did was take the flaps off the left sleeve pockets (doesn't everyone??)  used the material to make a pen-pocket in the lower right-leg (that was the only feature of the "McPeak" flightsuit that I liked.)

While we are on the subject, I have some "cherry" flightsuits that might interest some of you: I will post on "marketplace."

[wingnut]

I think that the Flight suit should be a National requirement. I flew in the USAF and I always (and I mean Always) had to wear a Flt suit. CAP has not always worn flight suits, so it is a catch 22. Pacific Region requires it because we have had several mission accidents that burned people very badly. I was on an Archer Mission in AZ and they did not wear Flt suits (Too Hot). But we did, sweat and all.

[SAR-EMT1]

Im not an aviation expert. But since when did our aircraft not come with cool ventilation?

[RiverAux]

Air temp vents at 1000' feet in hot weather aren't what I would consider "cool". 

[Smokey]

That big fan in the front is to keep the pilot cool.......If you don't think so, when it stops watch the pilot sweat