Do you wear a flight jacket?

[1600vw]

Not just for flying but for an everyday jacket? Seems some people believe in order to wear one of these you must be flying some sort of heavy something. I myself received my flight jacket years before I ever took my first flight. Now I would like to deck her out with patches and some emblem painted on the back. Just not sure what and I see as a group we have nothing that could tie us all together, if you understand what I am trying say. I have looked for something that can be put on my jacket that says I belong to aviation or the EAA.

I do not want military patches all over my jacket, I want aviation patches and things along this line, a "plane" jacket is..boring.

Tony

[WLIU]

So what do you define as a flight jacket? I saw a thread elsewhere in which folks pointed out that pilots flying in different environments dress differently. Military pilots wear nomex jackets these days. Leather is reserved for parties. Bush pilots wear denim and other stuff that you see in the Cabelas and LL Bean catalogs.

In the civilian world, there aren't a lot of affiliations or awards that provide decorations for party jackets and even fewer decorations for working attire.

I think that you can get an Airventure patch if you want to put something on your jacket that could be a conversation starter.

Soaring, aerobatics, and skydiving are the activities that I can think of that offer patches and pins that identify aeronautical achievements. For festive occasions I can put my earned USPA Gold Wings (1000 jumps), 12 Hours of freefall badge, and my IAC stars patch (contest achievements) but your average pilot has no idea what any of that means so I would only wear that stuff at an airport function where folks from those worlds will be in attendance. Actually flying I leave that stuff at home.

And looking around the internet, I will note that asking the same question in multiple forums hoping to get a different answer might be a waste of time.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

[Joe LaMantia]

I have 3 jackets that qualify as aviation related, a brown leather A2 type that my wife gave me as a present in 1993 after I passed my check ride. That jacket is perfect in cool to cold weather say 20 to 50 degrees. I have a winter weight nylon MA-2 in blue that is a great all winter weather jacket and I've been wearing that one just about everyday since Xmas this year! I also have a light summer jacket that I bought from Sporty's with the AOPA wings logo on the front. If you want something that looks nice and aviation related w/o shouting "LOOK AT ME I'M A FIGHTER PILOT!" on it I would suggest you check-out EAA's on-line shop or catalog also Sporty's Pilot Shop. EAA does have a simple square name and EAA number with the "swoosh" logo that fits neatly on the front of their A2 leather jacket. Both of these suppliers have a lot of clothing that is aviation related and some that can be tailored with N numbers and such if your into that stuff.

Joe
:cool:

[Zack Baughman]

Nothing says "I belong to EAA" like a heritage logo patch! EAA Government Advocacy Specialist Tom Charpentier has a nice A-2 jacket with a heritage patch sewn on the left breast. It looks pretty sharp! I don't see the patch listed on the online EAA merchandise shop, but you might be able to order it direct from the museum gift shop: (920) 426-6108.

3754

[1600vw]

That is what I call a flight jacket that is in the pic.

I will look for someone to paint something like this on the back of my jacket. I have a couple patches I am putting on it also along with a set of wings. Oh I can not forget the few pins I have that will go on it too.

Not sure about the inside. You know how they did the flight jackets of years past with a map or something else. Maybe something that says...If you find this jacket please look for a passed out pilot near by or something stupid like this.

Tony

[Tom Charpentier]

Fun fact: I bought that jacket for $50 on consignment at the Aeromart two years ago at Convention (had the patch sewn on later). It's a pretty trim fit though - I need to start hitting the gym if I want to keep wearing it! For the nameplate, I like the simple WWII style embossed leather strip (name only). I agree with Tony, I personally shy away from anything overtly military-like, since I never served, but I think it's fine if your intent is to honor the vets (there are some STUNNING WWII reproduction A-2s with handpainted noseart out there).

[1600vw]

My CFI wears a jacket as does most who hang around his airport. But no one has any kinda of patches or emblems on them, not one. Then I sit at a stop light the other night and a group of men walked by. They all were staying at the Route 66 Hotel. They all had their jackets on and they had them all done up really nice. Everyone had a smile on their face and walked with pride. This was a biker group.

If they can do this so can we.

As for the nose art, that is my next project putting nose art on my EAB airplane.

Thanks for the comment Tom.

Tony

P.S. I named my airplane "Faith"

[rwanttaja]

Fun fact: I bought that jacket for $50 on consignment at the Aeromart two years ago at Convention (had the patch sewn on later). It's a pretty trim fit though - I need to start hitting the gym if I want to keep wearing it! For the nameplate, I like the simple WWII style embossed leather strip (name only). I agree with Tony, I personally shy
away from anything overtly military-like, since I never served, but I think it's fine if your intent is to honor the vets (there are some STUNNING WWII reproduction A-2s with handpainted noseart out there).

Great-looking jacket, Tom... does the jacket have a quilted insulation lining? It looks like it doesn't, and that would make yours historically accurate. People forget that the A-2 was intended as a windbreaker *only*; you were usually wearing multiple layers of wool uniform underneath. Modern jackets tend to bulge with added insulation since people expect warmth.

I also love your use of heritage EAA patch...just the right approach for those who want SOMETHING on their jacket but not a phony-baloney military look

Since I fly open-cockpit almost exclusively, I wear a B-3 for cold-weather flying, this A-2 for moderate-temperatures (~40 to 60 F), and a light canvas jacket with a knit collar from ~60 to 75.
3755

The jacket cost $100 about eight years ago. I had the patches made for the Fly Baby crowd specifically for flight-jacket wear; they're five inches in diameter (vs. the usual 3" or 4"). If I just needed one or two, I'd just have Emblemhunter paint me up a couple of leather ones (he charges about $50 each).

I've done some variations on the design for some of the Commonwealth Fly Baby crowd, one for New Zealand and the other for some buddies in Victoria BC. The designs were based on the RAF squadron badges and the symbols for their national air forces (a kiwi for NZ, a maple leaf for the Canadians). Here's an example:

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/pix/victoria_header.jpg

I've been hoping they'd get their own patches done, but hasn't happened yet. Market's a bit smaller, I guess (I've sold ~150 Fly Baby patches).

I usually wear a scarf when I wear a jacket... otherwise, the coat collar scrapes your neck as you scan for the wily Hun. My wife bought me a replica WWII RAF scarf a couple of years ago, and I've been wearing that, mostly. But it's pretty heavy, and I switch to lighter-weight white ones during warmer weather.

Here's some follow-up information:

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/stories/jackets.html (history of the leather flying jacket)

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/stories/scarves.html (a bit of history on the silk scarf, including how to tie it)

Ron Wanttaja

[Tom Charpentier]

Great-looking jacket, Tom... does the jacket have a quilted insulation lining? It looks like it doesn't, and that would make yours historically accurate. People forget that the A-2 was intended as a windbreaker *only*; you were usually wearing multiple layers of wool uniform underneath. Modern jackets tend to bulge with added insulation since people expect warmth.

That's right, no liner, aside from a nylon backing. Also no handwarmer pockets, which is accurate. It's not as good as the really faithful (and expensive) reproductions out there, but the patterns are correct as best as I can tell.

I think I need to build a flybaby just so that I can earn the right to wear that patch!

[TedK]

I just want to lose a few pounds so I can wear the "dead goat" the taxpayers gave me without looking like it successfully contained a detonation.

[WLIU]

Everyone is welcome to join us in IAC and earn the patch below for your jacket.

See you at the box,

Wes
N78PS


3756

[1600vw]

I would love to try this. Not sure I could do it. I get sick very easy. Never happened flying my little eab but I about lost my lunch flying with a friend in his 172. He banked really hard and dropped as he did it. I just about lost it.

Tony

[JimRice85]

Here's my only decorated flight jacket. A friend's wife paint jackets for my wife and me 25 years ago. I have two or three leather A-2 types but it rarely gets cold enough to wear them.

3757

[1600vw]

Jim very nice. What do I need to look for when looking for someone to do this for me?

Tony

[JimRice85]

I really have no idea. I bought the jackets, handed them and a photo and Becky took it from there. 3758

[Puertoricoflyer]

I took an old AF Flight jacket I had and added patches related to my GA flying. I wear it when it gets cold enough starting many flying conversations. 3761 3762:cool:

[Eagle Six]

I don't display any patches or emblems on my jackets. Flight/crew jackets are utility for me and the jacket itself is enough identification for those who are familiar and for those who are not, that's OK with me. However, I would encourage others to wear whatever it is that pleases them, as long as what they wear doesn't represent something they are not. I also have absolutely no issue with civilians wearing military surplus, it's generally inexpensive, and re-using that for which would otherwise be wasted....and they paid for it twice!!


Best Regards.......George

[Bob Dingley]

I once saw the late Merle Gustafson climb out of his Corsair, Angel of Okinawa. He was wearing bib overalls. As for me, I sometime wear a Coat, flyers, man's, Lt zone, L2B that was issued to me when I was on active duty. All the rank, name tag and patches are non-subdued, in living color and that sort of made it non regulation. In the end, it went home with me and lives in my closet. A gift of a gratefull government. Good for Florida winters. I also use it as an inner garment when I layer up in cold weather. Almost adequate when we visited in laws in the Minnesotta Iron Range for new years eve in the Mooney. IIR, it never got above minus 10 F until we got south of IL.
I really like the orange liner for just in case. I once spotted a downed pilot who turned his in side out and waved it at me. I also have a USN leather jacket and I don't like flying with it. No warmth. No pen holders on the sleeve. They're inside a pocket. Also, the fur collar bends my head and neck forward. when I wear a PFD. Gave it to my son.

[1600vw]

I took an old AF Flight jacket I had and added patches related to my GA flying. I wear it when it gets cold enough starting many flying conversations. 3761 3762:cool:

I really like this.

This is not about what I wear when I fly. Its about what I wear when I am not flying. I fly only in nice weather or I guess you could call it tee-shirt weather. I have a couple patches for my jacket, one says I would rather be flying, the other is a set of wings.
I want something painted on the back and something for all the airplanes I have flown.

Tony

[Puertoricoflyer]

My CFI wears a jacket as does most who hang around his airport. But no one has any kinda of patches or emblems on them, not one. Then I sit at a stop light the other night and a group of men walked by. They all were staying at the Route 66 Hotel. They all had their jackets on and they had them all done up really nice. Everyone had a smile on their face and walked with pride. This was a biker group.

If they can do this so can we.

As for the nose art, that is my next project putting nose art on my EAB airplane.

Thanks for the comment Tom.

Tony

P.S. I named my airplane "Faith" I completely agree with your train of thought about distinctive jackets. Also, my airplane is all white so my wife nicknamed it "Blanquita" which is Spanish for white girl. I want to eventually use this WWII nose art on her. 3764

[1600vw]

Now I like that Galin.

Nose art is next for my airplane too, or I should say its on the list. The list keeps growing....lol

Tony

[2ndsegment]

I have two flight suits I bought off ebay in the early 20somethings to wear to the party at Tail Hook in 2010. One is the sage green of my class 70-1 and one is a USAF one. I later bought a new leather flight jacket that was being sold on "We Served Together" a USMC group site. I could not buy it from them though I was able to buy it direct. At that time the pilots were discouraged from wearing off base and the crew chiefs wanted them also. I also bought a really inexpensive puffy sleeves satinish jacket with an orange Interceptor reverse.

I also acquired specific patches for the aircraft I caused to be highly modified or to become inventory for those services. I keep them in the pockets as the aircraft were only data when I knew them. The two things I explored and then let go are a nice pair of steel toe flight boots as used by Skyhawk pilots where the seat had to be slid back to eject. I looked very closely at the Navy Air Museum in Pensacola. I also looked at helmets. The acceptance test pilots I knew at Douglas who were billeted for the Skyhawks never wore helmets when I was around them. When 1st Lt."Bunkie" Bjerke flew up to Long Beach from San Diego in an adversary "Mongoose" with Soviet camo and bolted slats and only HF I was charged with keeping him away from the DC-10's on the flight line as the government has no insurance and must agree to be sued. I think he left his helmet in the plane to spend the day and review my demonstration. He definitely did not wear a jacket. ("BE aggressive---in the club!!) Everyone I ever met at the Pentagon 1965-1981 wore civilian clothes. Those in Air Force System Command and Naval Operations or Systems Command, who were military, also wore civilian clothes.

Just today I wore my leather flight jacket with the big red USMC seal on the back past my neighbor's house where he has a USMC seal on a post in his front yard. It was 50F as I walked. The sun became warm. It's from Vintage leather and has a satin quilted lining. Still not too warm at 60F. My down filled quilted poofy jacket from Eddy Bauer I wore to Heathrow direct in 2016 on the 787 and back is contaminated right now from potential CoVID19 due to a laser TURPS follow-up.

[lnuss]

Is there some particular reason that you keep bringing up posts made several years ago? Reading old posts is one thing, but bringing them back after several years is a different animal, unless there's a good reason.

[martymayes]

stay home order is taking it's toll.....

[2ndsegment]

The reply to thread over on the left will bring up the thread but keep your reply at the end of the thread. The Reply or Reply with quote that is in the ribbon is only for that specific response of which the ribbon is the lower boundary.

[lnuss]

The reply to thread over on the left will bring up the thread but keep your reply at the end of the thread. The Reply or Reply with quote that is in the ribbon is only for that specific response of which the ribbon is the lower boundary.

What question is that answering?

[BusyLittleShop]

I only feel safe flying in Nomex... its funny, not the suit but some TSA officials reaction to it...
8372

[robert l]

:thumbsup:
Bob

[rwanttaja]

There's a couple of outfits that make backpacks that look like military parachutes. I've been wanting to buy one to haul my computer aboard commercial airliners, once they start running again....

https://www.amazon.com/WolfWarriorX-Parachute-Travel-Backpack-Rucksacks/dp/B07QDMLWPP

https://www.opsgear.com/products/military-style-flight-parachute-backpack-or-bug-out-bag

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2567/8360/products/FrontView_0a14f309-4329-4ed7-981f-f0c29b06a8e2_800x.png

Ron Wanttaja

[Mayhemxpc]

Oh that backpack looks so great. See...sometimes replying to old threads can be fun!

i am trying to convince my wife that this would be the perfect Oshkosh daypack...and, like Ron, having fun thinking about wearing this through a TSA checkpoint. Wife: TSA? What about the lady sitting next to you on the plane? Son: if you have that on the plane, you really need to wear goggles, too.

oh, yes...

[Scooper]

I still wear my 55 year-old MA-1 occasionally when there's a chill in the air. It still bears my old squadron patch, but nothing else.

8380

[Dana]

I have a "G-8" leather flight jacket which I like regardless of the maker's claims of military origin almost certainly being false. It (with obligatory silk scarf) is still functional in the open cockpit of my Hatz, and it's similarly functional when driving my Miata with the top down in cold weather.