One of the aviation magazined (I believe it was Private Pilot) had an article on the best sunglasses for pilots. I am a fan of polarized lenses when driving due to there ability to cut down on reflections from all the automobile glass & windshields. However, I read somewhere that polarized lenses are not recommended for flying. I would guess that this is due to the fact that polarized lenses would cut down on the reflections from distant aircraft reducing ones ability to spot distant air traffic.
Bob's Super Duper Sunglasses Post:
I used to sell sunglasses as an aspect of one of my many previous careers, so bear with me... and remember... choosing a pair of sunglasses is a very personal choice that I believe to be an important one. Just like you need to take care of your ears/hearing with a good headset... so should you take care of your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses:
Darker gray or green lenses are good in bright light... but when looking down in the cockpit they can be too dark. Thus... Amber lenses are a great compromise in this situation. Amber provides some great contrast and doesn't make the flight deck that dark when not looking outside. Rose lenses actually provide the most contrast and are awesome for IMC and lower light situations. That's most likely the reason why many aviators like the serengeti rose lenses.
I carry both amber and rose lenses in my flight bag for those reasons.
Here's a quick rundown on lens color for you from what I can remember:
Gray/Green lens: Very dark and most color accurate/least color distortion, with little to no contrast. Great for outdoor activity in bright conditions
Amber/Brown lens: Somewhat dark, some color distortion. Higher contrast. Great all-around lens for driving/flying and when having to change views quickly from outside (bright) to inside (lower light) situations.
Rose lens: Lighter lens and higher color distortion (looking at life through "rose colored" glasses), very high contrast and great for drivers and low light situations where contrast is important (also, friggin awesome when looking at the fall leaves.
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Yellow lens: Lightest color lens and extreme color distortion with the highest level of contrast. Not practical in bright conditions. Best for hunters and drivers in low light situations where contrast is very important.
Everyone is different... so what works for me may not work for everyone else obviously. I'd buy a couple different ones and try them out in different conditions. Take back what you don't like, and keep the ones you do. You are on your own in determining if Polarized or Non-Polarized are best for you in the above colors... but, I hope some of that helps.
Personally... I've been flying with Polarized lenses from day one (PPL). Can't stand anything else. I am very sensitive to light and harsh reflections (very light blue/gray eyes). I tend to get headaches when flying with non-polarized lenses.
A good pair will actually prevent the loss of viewing of the RMU/GPS/LCD display until you are at a very harsh angle. In order for me to start to lose sight of it, I have to have my head cocked at least 45 degrees... and I can't think of any situation that I would normally have my head in that position while attempting to change Freqs. The cheaper polarized lenses seem to have the polarization set at a much lower angle.
Also, the nicer lenses actually absorb reflective "back" glare. Making your eyes more comfortable and less stressed in bright high-glare situations... (think CAVU at 35,000 ft.).
There are no "dark blotchy" images on the windows with a good pair (Maui's for example)... just a very slight color change effect that appears in different lighting situations, but nothing that prevents you from seeing the standard Red/Green/White lights.
The contrast enhancement in overcast/low light situations is what makes the amber polarized lenses stand out for me. I'm able to visually pick out aircraft/airports from a longer distance with polarized lenses due to the higher contrast and lack of glare from the surroundings (roads, lakes, the other pilot's humungous "pilot" watch, etc).
The whole issue about seeing another plane due to the glare off of it is kind of hokey to me. First of all... the sun isn't always shining on said aircraft in such a way as to create said glare. Secondly... if it's coming right at you... there's not much surface area facing you to create the glare. Thirdly... not all planes are bright and silvery like AA's.
All of the above are simply my observations... YMMV.
Bob
