Fellow pilots:
What kind of sunglasses do you where? I need a good pair that will comfortably fit underneath a headset without too much noise leakage.
Sunglasses
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
-
Panama Jack
- Rank 11
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
All I know is the cost of them seems to be directly proportional to the odds of loosing or smashing them. Had a pair of Oakley polarized lost them off the float in less than a month. Been wearing the same $10 pair for the last 2 years!
Although, I hear from optometrists it’s not a good idea for pilots to skimp on glasses. So if ya can afford it get a good pair.
Although, I hear from optometrists it’s not a good idea for pilots to skimp on glasses. So if ya can afford it get a good pair.
-
shitdisturber
- Rank 10
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2004 3:38 pm
- Location: If it's Monday it's got to be somewhere shitty
Nah, it's a big concern if you're doing a lot of driving in and out of tunnels; leaving aside the whole "returning to the womb" thing. Polarizing sunglasses can't adapt to the darkness, or the light, fast enough.Sparky wrote:Is it true you're not supposed to wear polarized sunglasses when flying?
-
Panama Jack
- Rank 11
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:10 am
- Location: Back here
My Serengettis have pretty thin, uh, thingies (what do you call those things that connect the glasses to your ears??) with the wrap around the ears feature, so when I get held upside down by my ankels by people demanding money they won't fall off.
Honestly, I find they are OK for compatability with headsets but all glasses will reduce somewhat the noise reduction provided by a headset. Headsets are a separate issue for me-- I have always been an ANR guy. Even then, I have found that some airplane types are still too noisy-- I used to fly one with an ANR headset AND used earplugs underneath. Flying without ANR, earplugs are manditory for me-- don't be fooled that the claim of noise reduction means you won't experience some amount of hearing loss.
Honestly, I find they are OK for compatability with headsets but all glasses will reduce somewhat the noise reduction provided by a headset. Headsets are a separate issue for me-- I have always been an ANR guy. Even then, I have found that some airplane types are still too noisy-- I used to fly one with an ANR headset AND used earplugs underneath. Flying without ANR, earplugs are manditory for me-- don't be fooled that the claim of noise reduction means you won't experience some amount of hearing loss.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
Watch for the polarized thing. Many will block out vision through a heated windshield. Kingairs are bad for this. Just look into the rear window of most new cars, if there are balck or dark spots, they may not work well in some airplanes.
The average pilot, despite the somewhat swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
I have never found a better pair of sunglasses than Serengetis. They have lasted me longer than any other pair too! Though i did lose them for a couple days and then found them in the seat of the pawnee, minus the arms. Had to go all over town but i found new arms for $20.
-
corn-shoot
- Rank 7
- Posts: 527
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:06 am
- Location: Entrails, SK
-
Northern Flyer
- Rank 6
- Posts: 437
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:40 pm
CF-RYE so you wear polerized sunglasses, thats why you spank it on all the time. 
Its very true that polerized glasses suck in a King Air, also flying floats I found that it was harder to judge the waters surface with them on. They are designed for fisherman to see into the water and take the glare off the surface.
I don't know what sunglasses are the best, but wear something, the sun is almost always shining into my office window, and it will screw your vision.
Its very true that polerized glasses suck in a King Air, also flying floats I found that it was harder to judge the waters surface with them on. They are designed for fisherman to see into the water and take the glare off the surface.
I don't know what sunglasses are the best, but wear something, the sun is almost always shining into my office window, and it will screw your vision.
In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield...W. Buffett-
rotorfloat
- Rank 4
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:38 am
From the aviation safety newsletter 3/03, FWIW.
A pilot who can’t see is an accident waiting to happen. Without good glare protection, flying on bright, sunny days can be tiring and hazardous — and it can effect night flying too. Exposure to bright sunlight for a whole day without protection interferes with proper night adaptation for 12 to 24 hours! The following brief summary will focus on how to choose your sunglasses and the advantages and disadvantages of the various types.
There are three problems caused by bright sunlight: glare, infra-red (IR) radiation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Glare, although the most obvious nuisance — causing tearing, distraction and fatigue — is responsible for less serious problems than IR or UV radiation. Cutting down glare by using very dark sunglasses, however, can cause problems because reducing transmitted light reduces visual acuity, as anyone who has driven from a bright road into a dark tunnel whilst wearing sunglasses can verify. Even moderately dark sunglasses can, on a bright day, cut your vision down from 20/20 to 20/40.
On the ground, UV is partially filtered by the earth’s atmosphere, but the higher you go, the less the protection. UV light is not filtered equally by all types of sunglasses and can damage the eye, causing early cataracts (lens opacities). Cheap sunglasses should be avoided as they may only cut down glare. Good sunglasses reduce light transmission to 12-20 percent, but should cut down UV transmission by at least 90 percent. Looking directly into the sun should be avoided as IR can quickly injure the sensitive retina at the back of the eye. Prolonged and unprotected exposure in bright sunlight, particularly if combined with a wide snow cover, can seriously degrade vision. As you can imagine, mountain climbers are quite familiar with the need for top-quality eye protection.
Sunglasses may be constant-gradient, photochromic or polarized. Polarized lenses are great for fishing, but bad for flying. Due to manufacturing stresses, there may be small areas of polarization in an aircraft canopy or windscreen and, if the angles of polarization in the glasses and the windscreen differ, a blind spot can be produced. Polarization may also interfere with depth and distance perception, particularly during a bank. Just what you need turning on final!
Photochromic lenses that darken with increasing UV light are good for driving, but polycarbonate aircraft canopies shield out much of the ultraviolet rays and may interfere with their proper darkening. Additionally, going from bright sunlight into cloud the glasses may take several minutes to lighten. Constant-gradient glasses come in various colours and are the most commonly used. All are about equally effective for glare, but green or grey lenses have the least adverse effect on your vision. Yellow lenses are good in haze, but less effective in bright sunshine. Sports orange lenses should not be chosen because they interfere with blue-green discrimination and may make red warning lights more difficult to see. Pilots with colour deficiencies should not use coloured lenses and should stick to a quality grey lense.
What is best? Where vision is concerned, do not gamble your eyes by using cheap sunglasses; also keep in mind that price is not always a good gage of quality, as some trendy polarized models costing well over $150 are not what you need at all. You should budget anywhere between $75 and $150 for good aviation sunglasses. Constant-gradient lenses that reduce light transmission to 15-20 percent and block 90 percent of UV light are ideal. Neutral grey, green or brown lenses are the most popular. Blue, orange or polarizing lenses should not be worn while flying. If in doubt, ask your Civil Aviation Medical Examiner for advice. In the long run, it is wiser to save your eyes than to save your money!
This article was originally published in ASL 3/1994, and has been slightly updated by our Civil Aviation Medicine Branch. — Ed.
A pilot who can’t see is an accident waiting to happen. Without good glare protection, flying on bright, sunny days can be tiring and hazardous — and it can effect night flying too. Exposure to bright sunlight for a whole day without protection interferes with proper night adaptation for 12 to 24 hours! The following brief summary will focus on how to choose your sunglasses and the advantages and disadvantages of the various types.
There are three problems caused by bright sunlight: glare, infra-red (IR) radiation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Glare, although the most obvious nuisance — causing tearing, distraction and fatigue — is responsible for less serious problems than IR or UV radiation. Cutting down glare by using very dark sunglasses, however, can cause problems because reducing transmitted light reduces visual acuity, as anyone who has driven from a bright road into a dark tunnel whilst wearing sunglasses can verify. Even moderately dark sunglasses can, on a bright day, cut your vision down from 20/20 to 20/40.
On the ground, UV is partially filtered by the earth’s atmosphere, but the higher you go, the less the protection. UV light is not filtered equally by all types of sunglasses and can damage the eye, causing early cataracts (lens opacities). Cheap sunglasses should be avoided as they may only cut down glare. Good sunglasses reduce light transmission to 12-20 percent, but should cut down UV transmission by at least 90 percent. Looking directly into the sun should be avoided as IR can quickly injure the sensitive retina at the back of the eye. Prolonged and unprotected exposure in bright sunlight, particularly if combined with a wide snow cover, can seriously degrade vision. As you can imagine, mountain climbers are quite familiar with the need for top-quality eye protection.
Sunglasses may be constant-gradient, photochromic or polarized. Polarized lenses are great for fishing, but bad for flying. Due to manufacturing stresses, there may be small areas of polarization in an aircraft canopy or windscreen and, if the angles of polarization in the glasses and the windscreen differ, a blind spot can be produced. Polarization may also interfere with depth and distance perception, particularly during a bank. Just what you need turning on final!
Photochromic lenses that darken with increasing UV light are good for driving, but polycarbonate aircraft canopies shield out much of the ultraviolet rays and may interfere with their proper darkening. Additionally, going from bright sunlight into cloud the glasses may take several minutes to lighten. Constant-gradient glasses come in various colours and are the most commonly used. All are about equally effective for glare, but green or grey lenses have the least adverse effect on your vision. Yellow lenses are good in haze, but less effective in bright sunshine. Sports orange lenses should not be chosen because they interfere with blue-green discrimination and may make red warning lights more difficult to see. Pilots with colour deficiencies should not use coloured lenses and should stick to a quality grey lense.
What is best? Where vision is concerned, do not gamble your eyes by using cheap sunglasses; also keep in mind that price is not always a good gage of quality, as some trendy polarized models costing well over $150 are not what you need at all. You should budget anywhere between $75 and $150 for good aviation sunglasses. Constant-gradient lenses that reduce light transmission to 15-20 percent and block 90 percent of UV light are ideal. Neutral grey, green or brown lenses are the most popular. Blue, orange or polarizing lenses should not be worn while flying. If in doubt, ask your Civil Aviation Medical Examiner for advice. In the long run, it is wiser to save your eyes than to save your money!
This article was originally published in ASL 3/1994, and has been slightly updated by our Civil Aviation Medicine Branch. — Ed.
-
Snow Monkey
- Rank 3
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 5:24 pm
- Location: south of 60
-
Always Moving
- Rank 3
- Posts: 195
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:13 am
- Location: Always Moving
AMBER
I use to have some okeleys and they work great and since they had the sides and nose made out of rubber, I would wearing them ontop of the earpice betwen the earpice and the metal of the headset, it might look a little funny but they did not give me a headache or have any air leakage since they where not on in the earpice, they were "gliding" in my head
-
Lanky Pilot
- Rank 0
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Fri May 14, 2004 4:21 pm
-
wallypilot
- Rank (9)
- Posts: 1646
- Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2004 9:59 pm
- Location: The Best Coast
serengettis all the way. have had 2 pairs....the first pair was stepped on after a couple years of service. second pair has been with me now for about 3 years, and they are still the best i have tried. you can find them with nice thin arms, too, so that they minimize the effect to the headset seal.
cheers
wp
cheers
wp
I personnally have 3 pair of sunglasses and they all do a great job, depends on wath you prefer.
Oakley minute
Adidas
Ray ban New aviator.
Of course if you cant afford these, there's plenty of cheaper sunglasses that'll do the job, it's up to you. At one point, when you found the tint that you like and that permits you to do your job well, it's all a question of style!!
Oakley minute
Adidas
Ray ban New aviator.
Of course if you cant afford these, there's plenty of cheaper sunglasses that'll do the job, it's up to you. At one point, when you found the tint that you like and that permits you to do your job well, it's all a question of style!!
-
Blue Side Down
- Rank 7
- Posts: 581
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2004 11:27 am
[/quote]
