CFI Who Wears Shorts

I would love to wear shorts...but I have to wear khakis and a polo. Even if I wasn't required I would show up to a flight lesson in more than just shorts and a t-shirt...you're a professional dress like one :)
 
It doesn't matter what you want to wear. Think about your customers and examiners who will be judging you. You may not like it, but it's the nature of the beast.
 
I always wore shorts and a t shirt. Depends on the setting, though. I worked at a small po dunk airport, so i could get away with it.
 
I wore jeans and a t shirt, and hoodie too maybe? The examiners didn't care, and I'd probably have been laughed at had I worn a tie... I knew going into the checkride that jeans and hoodie would be fine. Could be different depending on where you're at though. Just ask around locally would be my suggestion.
 
Common sense can go a long way. I can almost guarantee you will have more luck networking dressed in slacks and a polo as opposed to a Sublime hoodie and chucks. ;)

Dress for the occasion and location. Wear whatever you want to the bar after work.

.....and this is coming from someone who is utterly repulsed by tucked in shirts.
 
Depends. If I absolutely knew I wouldn't be seen with anyone except my students I would wear shorts and my "Save Gas - Ride a Flight Instructor" (or "CFIs do it Lean of Peak") t-shirt, otherwise slacks and a polo or button down shirt.
 
I've never met a CFI in Texas who wasn't allowed to wear shorts and a polo. In the summers down there, it's cruel and unusual punishment to make someone wear khakis while instructing.
 
I never wore shorts or sandals as a student in Arizona. The way I looked at it is if I had an accident the last thing I wanted to do was work my way out of a shredded bear can with exposed legs. Same idea with sandals, if I needed to put the airplane down in the middle of no where and do some hiking better have some shoes on.

Crazy right?
 
Nice shorts such as dockers with a nice polo are fine in the hot summer. Wear nice boat shoes as well. A nice looking watch and some sun glasses complete the look. If you want to be uncomfortable and wear pants when it's 95 and 70% humidity like it has been here this summer knock yourself out. Students will be more impressed with a good syllabus and training style then if I switch to pants.
 
It's always been collared shirts & slacks for check rides and t shirt & shorts all other times for me. Except some of the airplanes have a four or five point harness that digs into my neck, I try to wear a collared shirt for those airplanes.

What's the environment your flying in ? A full on 141 school with uniforms or a casual mom and pop 61 school ?

Down here with the weather in the 90 F & 200% humidity no one wears slacks and sweater vests while flying a C152 or PA28R-200.
 
I always wore a button down shirt, tie, and nice pants to checkrides but when I was instructing it all depended on weather. Shorts and a polo in the summer, and pants in the winter.
 
Beech90 said:
Whenever I fly, whether pleasure or work, I wear shorts. (However I would have no issue following company policy )

Is it really necessary for a CFI to wear slacks and a sweater?
Click to expand...
If it's hot enough to wear shorts and you dress in slacks and a sweater, don't take on any pre-solo students. You'll need for your student to be able to get you back to the airport safely after you pass out.
 
When you cannot compromise on professionalism, but need the comfort and coolness of 100% pure cotton... I recommend:
worlds_sexiest_flight_instructor_tshirt-p235131604696951425z7yrm_400.jpg
 
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