Aviator Sunglasses? Why?

R

rostato

New Member
OK, I know I will catch alot of flack for this but here goes.

I just got PRK corrective surgery done to my eyes and plan to start training in June. Needless to say, I need a good pair of sunglasses to wear when outside to protesct my investment.

Regardless, what is the big deal with "Aviator" Sunglasses? Why don't normal sunglasses do the job? Am I missing something? Do they have "Special" lens' or something?

My main reason for asking is that I want to have a good pair of sunglasses to wear for everything...I.E. driving, the beach and flying...not a few different pairs to just end up loosing.

Untill now I have been using my Oakley Half Wires while flying and they just don't keep wnough glare out of my eyes.

Anyway, sorry for the retarded question, but I just wanted some pilots perspective before I bought a new pair.

Thanks and sorry if they spelling is bad, I still can't see very well...:)
 
Aviator sunglasses usually have pretty big lenses with a dark tint. They do a great job of keeping out the most sunlight. Plus, they just look good. :)
 
normal sunglasses DO do the job. Its all personal preference maing. One of the good things about aviators is that they have thin metal frames. If your headset is ANR, thats good for helping keep the ear seals sealed. Otherwise....I don't think it matters as long as they keep the sun out of your eyes.
 
I used Oakleys for the longest time, but they just didn't keep the sun out of my eyes. I got the Rayban aviators last year for Christmas and those things work great.
 
rostato said:
OK, I know I will catch alot of flack for this but here goes.


Untill now I have been using my Oakley Half Wires while flying and they just don't keep wnough glare out of my eyes.

Anyway, sorry for the retarded question, but I just wanted some pilots perspective before I bought a new pair.

Thanks and sorry if they spelling is bad, I still can't see very well...:)
Click to expand...

I think you just answered your own question. Flying glasses generally have larger lens so light doesn't come in from the top or sides. However, there are probably plenty of styles that would get the job done just as well as "aviator styles". Just pick a high quality pair that provides enough coverage and suits your sense of style.

In my case, I have different pairs for different activites. For flying and driving, I prefer glass lenses for their optical clarity, color rendtion and lack of distortion and I also prefer non polarized lenses. I have separate pairs for each activity though. I have a pair of US Optical "Air Farce" style that I use in the cockpit because the flat temples don't interfere with the seal of my noise cancelling headset. That same feature makes them undesireable for a lot of other activies where they might slip off. For driving and most other activities I use a more stylish pair of Serengettis. Both of these brands offer excellent optics so if I forget one pair or the other, they are interchangable.

I also have a third pair of wrap around style, polycarbonate lens, polarized shades that I wear riding motorcycles or on the water (I crew on a racing sailboat). The wrap arounds do a good job blocking light from the top and sides and the fit makes them more secure than most, but I still use a croakie lest they depart to the side of the highway or to Davey Jones locker.
 
PCL_128 said:
They do a great job of keeping out the most sunlight. Plus, they just look good. :)
Click to expand...
On some people. Remember the basic rule of sunglasses: compliment. Round glasses on square faces, square glasses on round faces. Square and square actually looks pretty good, round and round, no way. When I had the sideburns and long hair, aviators did not work for me.

Pilot fashion tip for the day.
 
Pilot and fashion in the same sentence? Whaaa?! :) Don't you know that we wear running shoes with black socks and dockers coupled with either an golf shirt or button-down plaid?
 
why? i'll tell you why.

top_gun_maverick_tom_cruise_suited.jpg
 
I was once told NOT to wear polarized sunglasses because sometimes gauges or screens (G1000?) had polarized glass. The polarized/on/polarized thing makes it really hard to see (I know I can't read my text messages on my phone with my polarized sunglasses on).
 
BajtheJino said:
The exact reason I DON"T wear aviators.

What ever you buy make sure they're polarized. That will cut the glare down more than you can imagine.
Click to expand...


I would advise against polarization. Most of the aircraft instruments have some degree of polarization in their glass and if the polarization in your glasses is out of phase with the instrument, you will have dark spots. Get yourself a pair of serengetis, look good and cut glare.
 
Our CRJ systems manual warns against using polarized lenses because they can change the colors of some of the messages. I also heard they make LCD displays very hard to read (if you're flying an airbus, etc).
 
av8sean said:
Our CRJ systems manual warns against using polarized lenses because they can change the colors of some of the messages. I also heard they make LCD displays very hard to read (if you're flying an airbus, etc).
Click to expand...

Or anything with a G1000 (since you'll be training). What is illegible with polarized is bright and clear without. Although They did help me spot some distant traffic as I was approaching the pattern yesterday. Whether or not non-polarized would have done the same I don't know.
 
FWIW - I fly the G1000 with a polarized pair of Revo's just about everyday and have never had an issue.
 
I fly both a Citation and a Lear with Primus 1000 displays, and they black completely out if you turn your head while wearing polarized sunglasses. The Honeywell RTU's go funky too, and I also would get some goofy rainbow effects looking through the heated windshields. No polarized sunglasses for me in the cockpit!
 
I use the same sports sunglasses I use when I'm playing softball or baseball or football or skiing.

They work just fine.

And I look cool.

I'm not a fan of the new style of sunglasses, with the huge lenses. I'm much more into the athletic ones. Those look better, they're lighter, and they're designed for high intensity activities where you've got to be able to see things well so they're perfect for flying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top