I am writing of an experience that resonates with me, through my flying training.
This concerns the clothing and accessories that we wore whilst flying aircraft during flight training.
Commencing in the early phase of initial training on the Harvard warbird aircraft, we were given flying suits, flying boots, oxygen masks, soft helmet which included headphones and microphone, hard helmet and fireproof gloves. When we strapped into the aircraft, we also sat on the seat which was a parachute so that, in the case of an emergency, we could bale out. We also strapped into the aircraft, so had a lot of safety and secure equipment to prevent injury in case of an emergency during flight and take-off and landing. Most of the clothing and the accessories were deemed fire resistant and safety for the pilots was paramount at all times.
We were also provided with an attachment to our thigh to enable us to place a map of our navigation exercise as the cockpit did not have modern google maps or any digital technology.
Moving on to the next phase of training in a StrikeMaster training jet aircraft, there were new requirements for safety on top of the normal flying suit, boots and leather gloves.
This time we were in an aircraft that could fly at a maximum speed of 450 knots and climb to 42,000 feet. Hence the requirement for more safety equipment in the form of full helmet including visors and headphones and microphone all in one piece. The helmet had a clip-on attachment for an oxygen mask to automatically produce oxygen as soon as you passed 10,000 feet. The other very important accoutrement was the “G” suit. This was worn on the lower half of your body up to the waist and extended to both legs. This addition was important for flying a jet aircraft in that the “G” forces were significantly higher than the Harvard due to speed and high-speed manoeuvres. This stopped the blood from draining to your legs and always kept you conscious, so your safety was secure at all times when flying, including all aerobatics which built up a “G” force of up to 7.5 G. Fun times!
At the end of the course, we were offered our new postings and mine was to a medium range transport squadron. The flying uniform for this was vastly different in that we had our normal flying suit, leather gloves as per original allocation. However, the flying boots became less important, and we used headset and microphone only. This was due to the aircraft being multi engine and considered very safe as it could easily land using one engine.
These memories are unique for me in that I have never needed such uniform accoutrements in any other career. It was an experience that I will forever remember.
Merry Xmas and Happy new year to all.
James Davey
November 16, 2025
This concerns the clothing and accessories that we wore whilst flying aircraft during flight training.
Commencing in the early phase of initial training on the Harvard warbird aircraft, we were given flying suits, flying boots, oxygen masks, soft helmet which included headphones and microphone, hard helmet and fireproof gloves. When we strapped into the aircraft, we also sat on the seat which was a parachute so that, in the case of an emergency, we could bale out. We also strapped into the aircraft, so had a lot of safety and secure equipment to prevent injury in case of an emergency during flight and take-off and landing. Most of the clothing and the accessories were deemed fire resistant and safety for the pilots was paramount at all times.
We were also provided with an attachment to our thigh to enable us to place a map of our navigation exercise as the cockpit did not have modern google maps or any digital technology.
Moving on to the next phase of training in a StrikeMaster training jet aircraft, there were new requirements for safety on top of the normal flying suit, boots and leather gloves.
This time we were in an aircraft that could fly at a maximum speed of 450 knots and climb to 42,000 feet. Hence the requirement for more safety equipment in the form of full helmet including visors and headphones and microphone all in one piece. The helmet had a clip-on attachment for an oxygen mask to automatically produce oxygen as soon as you passed 10,000 feet. The other very important accoutrement was the “G” suit. This was worn on the lower half of your body up to the waist and extended to both legs. This addition was important for flying a jet aircraft in that the “G” forces were significantly higher than the Harvard due to speed and high-speed manoeuvres. This stopped the blood from draining to your legs and always kept you conscious, so your safety was secure at all times when flying, including all aerobatics which built up a “G” force of up to 7.5 G. Fun times!
At the end of the course, we were offered our new postings and mine was to a medium range transport squadron. The flying uniform for this was vastly different in that we had our normal flying suit, leather gloves as per original allocation. However, the flying boots became less important, and we used headset and microphone only. This was due to the aircraft being multi engine and considered very safe as it could easily land using one engine.
These memories are unique for me in that I have never needed such uniform accoutrements in any other career. It was an experience that I will forever remember.
Merry Xmas and Happy new year to all.
James Davey
November 16, 2025
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