Survival vest

Flyboy26 · August 05, 2013, 03:29:00 PM

A fellow officer was at Oshkosh air show 2 weeks ago and there was a vendor who was selling survival vests for aircrews. The other spokesperson with this company was also a CAP member and was trying to make a national regulation for all aircrews to wear survival vests on all air ops. Anyways, does anyone know what the name of this company is that is selling this vest. Thank you.

abdsp51 · August 05, 2013, 04:47:56 PM

Sounds like someone is trying to make a profit off the membership IMHO. But no different that a mil guy designing or revising a piece of gear and trying to market it.

a2capt · August 05, 2013, 04:52:54 PM

Statistically speaking.. that does sound like a push to make a profit, of self interest.

How many times do we crash? We're typically above average already, people know where our aircrews are, we've got procedures in place for making contact.. if the average GA flight was half as anal with communications and knowledge as our aircrews are (supposed to be), we wouldn't really be needed to do what we do.

NC Hokie · August 05, 2013, 05:08:35 PM

Quote from: Flyboy26 on August 05, 2013, 03:29:00 PM
The other spokesperson with this company was also a CAP member and was trying to make a national regulation for all aircrews to wear survival vests on all air ops.

Can't help with the company name, but this is a pretty clear case of conflict of interest, with a side (IMHO) of potential fraud, waste, and abuse. If the story is as presented, someone needs to have an uncomfortable conversation with the CAP member spokesperson.

vento · August 06, 2013, 01:35:48 AM

Quote from: a2capt on August 05, 2013, 04:52:54 PM
Statistically speaking.. that does sound like a push to make a profit, of self interest.

How many times do we crash? We're typically above average already, people know where our aircrews are, we've got procedures in place for making contact.. if the average GA flight was half as anal with communications and knowledge as our aircrews are (supposed to be), we wouldn't really be needed to do what we do.

Colonel, please don't give them ideas or we (GA Pilots) will end up taking an ICUT class from the FAA.

a2capt · August 06, 2013, 01:53:45 AM

LOLOL ;-)

Brad · August 06, 2013, 02:02:55 AM

NOTAM: UFN ALL AIRCRAFT MUST BE PAINTED PT BELT REFLECTIVE YELLOW

a2capt · August 06, 2013, 02:20:55 AM

They'd be easier to spot ..

Blackhawk · September 07, 2013, 06:20:12 PM

Are these survival vests the same as the ones in use by USAF?

RiverAux · September 08, 2013, 04:43:59 AM

Well, we know pretty well where CAP aircraft are during ES missions, but that is only a fraction of our flying. Most CAP flights aren't going to be tracked much better than GA flights except that perhaps notifications of an overdue aircraft are going to start quicker if the FRO is paying attention.

So, are CAP aircrews going to generally need to be ready to survive for a few days based on what they might have on them when the plane crashes? Most likely not. If they're in good enough shape to get out of the plane, they're probably going to be able to retrieve survival gear in the plane.

That being said, there is always the chance that they survive the crash, but due to fire or other circumstance they might not be able to get to gear inside the plane. I personally have had to abandon a vehicle quickly due to fire in the middle of nowhere and I wish I had more gear on me when I did.

So, I wouldn't laugh at someone wearing a survival vest (and I have seen a couple), especially if they're flying in a really rural area where there is the possibility that they might not get help till the next day if they crashed.

wuzafuzz · September 08, 2013, 02:27:00 PM

Quote from: Flyboy26 on August 05, 2013, 03:29:00 PM
The other spokesperson with this company was also a CAP member and was trying to make a national regulation for all aircrews to wear survival vests on all air ops.

If a regulation requiring survival vests is written as loosely as our regs for gray pants, someone may deploy with this:
http://youtu.be/vdDItKMDf6g

I am NOT making light of people who wear survival vests or carry kits on their person. A number of people do that here in the Rocky Mountains and I think it's a good idea. Hey, this IS National Preparedness Month..."Build a Kit!" http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

Flying Pig · September 08, 2013, 08:44:48 PM

Heres a nice vest. Aerial Machine and Tool "TacAir G2". But it will set you back about $1000. But I believe they have several levels of aircrew vests for the "serious" pilot. If you are flying around in a cessna in adverse terrain I 100% believe you should be WEARING everything you need, with a pack in the back for other items should you have the luxury of being able to grab it. If you could top it off, have a set up with a harness built in that allows you to be hoisted. Yeah.... pricey. I feel the pain. I didnt have to buy mine becuase if I did, I wouldnt have!!!

This is the same vest worn by US Army and USCG aircrews. Not sure if the AF or Navy wears this model.

NIN · September 09, 2013, 04:30:57 PM

We had modded SRU-21/P vests back in the day. Basically, they added an under-arm loop around the back with two snaplinks in the front for hoisting, and leg straps with quick-ejectors on them that criss-crossed in the back and were attached to the under-arm loop like a parachute harness.

of course, we wore monkey harnesses under these for in-aircraft restraint.

I never wanted to actually get hoisted by that field expedient mod. It just seemed a little... sketchy.

Flying Pig · September 09, 2013, 04:34:35 PM

I have been with the Tac Air vest. Clip in and up you go. Decent ride as far as comfort too. Long lined and hoisted.

NIN · September 09, 2013, 05:06:19 PM

Quote from: Flying Pig on September 09, 2013, 04:34:35 PM
I have been with the Tac Air vest. Clip in and up you go. Decent ride as far as comfort too. Long lined and hoisted.

BTW, I have a new favorite website thanks to you. Nice way to feed my flight gear fetish.

Flying Pig · September 09, 2013, 05:52:27 PM

Good stocking stuffers for the holidays

CavScout · September 28, 2013, 03:56:41 AM

Nice vid posted, a fat guy with a ton of snacks on a vest as a parody...

I'm a grunt, and not a fan of flying in small planes in general.

The last real mission we had, I wore an issued USGI rifleman carrier with only a few pouches. Just enough to hold some basic survival and mission-related equipment.

We ended up flying well away from any roads/towns/jack, in areas that we'd probably never be found; looking for a plane that we never found.

Due to my background, I'm used to a lot of gear, and more willing to accept extra weight/inconvenience. It wasn't much anyway. But maybe I'm just a Tool. I don't really care though.

Critical AOA · September 28, 2013, 01:58:50 PM

Quote from: CavScout on September 28, 2013, 03:56:41 AM
Nice vid posted, a fat guy with a ton of snacks on a vest as a parody...

I'm a grunt, and not a fan of flying in small planes in general.

The last real mission we had, I wore an issued USGI rifleman carrier with only a few pouches. Just enough to hold some basic survival and mission-related equipment.

We ended up flying well away from any roads/towns/jack, in areas that we'd probably never be found; looking for a plane that we never found.

Due to my background, I'm used to a lot of gear, and more willing to accept extra weight/inconvenience. It wasn't much anyway. But maybe I'm just a Tool. I don't really care though.

As long as you are a sharp, useful tool.....