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Flight Suit : US Air Force / Flight Suit
by Jérôme
Daoust. Created 2001/6/2, revised 2008/3/12.
I
was looking for a summer flight suit that protects my skin from the sun, and
which can still be worn during the hot (over 38°C/100°F) summer days at Marshall/California. All that
I was finding, were flight suits made for paragliding which had an inside mesh
liner (even the summer flight suits), dark colors which absorb too much
sunlight, and outrageous prices (but they looked cool). I bought a flight suit
from a US Army surplus store.
Good
points |
Bad
points |
1.
Very
low price : 40 $US. 2.
Yes,
it is an official flight suit, part number 000-540-2-84. 3.
Single
fabric layer (65% Polyester, 35% Cotton). 4.
Light
color which does not absorb too much sunlight. 5.
High
visibility. Your friends will recognize you in flight and you will be easier
to find by rescuers after crashing into the planet. 6.
Lots
of pockets with zippers to keep your valuables secure. 7.
Waist,
wrist, angle adjustments. 8.
Neck
protection from the sun. |
1.
You
are breaking the mold, and buddies will attempt to ridicule your purchase. 2.
The
bright orange color (there are other colors available) will make you the
target of many jokes like : ·
Did
you escape from prison? ·
Are
you a freeway worker? ·
There
goes pumpkin guy... ·
Are
you a ghostbuster? 3.
No
vario strap leg loop. |
I got mine from
a local store:
All
American Military Surplus
www.UrbanCamo.com / Air
Force Zipped Coverall - Mil Spec: Orange
2584 Fender Ave Suite D, Fullerton, CA
92831, USA
phone
: 714-871-3210 fax : 714-871-2383
Open
7 days/week, 10am to 7pm.
For more choices
of flight suits ( more expensive than mine but less than a paragliding flight
suit ): Flight Suits.
Conclusion
At 15%
the price of a typical paragliding flight suit, this one achieves 90% of
the desired functionality. The main issue is: Can you handle being different?
At this low price, I can afford to "crap my pants" when scared in
flight, and consider this a disposable item.