Pilot Sunglasses Buyers Guide
Pilot Sunglasses are more than just image.
The two most important items when purchasing a pair of pilot sunglasses are performance and protection. As pilots our main objective when using pilot sunglasses is excellent visual acuity and perception. The last thing a pair of pilot sunglasses should have are optical illusions caused by the pilot’s incorrect selection of pilot sunglasses. Now, I am not saying that style is not important, but which style of pilot sunglasses to wear is a personal preference. The following buyer’s guide of pilot sunglasses will enable you to properly fit your favorite stylish pair of pilot sunglasses and aid you to maximize your pilot performance today so read on and learn more about pilot sunglasses!
Pilot Sunglasses that perform.
So how do you get top performance out of a pair of pilot sunglasses?
Just like in a camera, rifle scope, microscope, or telescope, the lens is the key. Outfit a stylish pair of frames such as though found on Bolle pilot sunglasses, Randoph Engineering pilot sunglasses, or Serengeti pilot sunglasses, with the wrong lens and your flight will be a struggle or downright dangerous!
In order to understand pilot sunglasses lens performance we need to talk briefly about eye protection in pilot sunglasses and what lens properties pilots require for their pilot sunglasses.
- Pilot Sunglasses that knock out Ultraviolet Light
- Pilot Sunglasses and Polarization
- Pilot Sunglasses and Tint
- Pilot Sunglasses and Frames, Style and Fit
1. Pilot Sunglasses that knock out Ultraviolet Light
UV rays are particularly hazardous to the pilot’s eyesight. UV rays cause cataracts, macular degeneration and a host of other ailments including skin cancer. Fortunately, 99% of the sun's UV rays never reach the earth. However, the other one percent of the UV rays that reach the earth is of real concern to wearers of pilot sunglasses.
Pilot's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is greater at altitude than on the ground. The higher the altitude the greater a pilots exposure is to UV rays due to less of the earth's atmosphere between you and the sun. The atmosphere normally acts to filter out some of the sun's rays before they reach the ground. Some of the health risks associated with UV rays are sunburn, skin cancer, premature aging, wrinkles, cataracts, inflammation of the corneas, irises, and membranes that line the eye lids. Scientists are researching the effect increased production of vitamin D has on the pilot's too.
Pilots are the most susceptible to contract UV related health damages than the entire population and it is important for pilot sunglasses like Randolph Engineering to absorb 98-100% of harmful ultraviolet rays and allow a range of 12-18% of the visible light to pass through. The aforementioned numbers are the ideal comfort level for most pilot sunglasses; however, some pilots prefer Bolle pilot sunglasses which guarantee their pilot sunglasses will provide 100% UV protection. Another important consideration when choosing whether to purchase Bolle, Randolph Engineering, or Serengeti pilot sunglasses is potential damage to your skin. Unsightly freckles on the cheek, nose and facial regions can be avoided with a proper pair of pilot sunglasses, which is another reason why non pilots like to purchase pilot sunglasses too.
2. Pilot Sunglasses and Polarization
Contrary to what you might think, light doesn't travel in a straight line: it bounces back and forth from one reflective surface to another. The refractive properties of objects and its surrounding is the major cause of glare, especially from glass, water and snow surfaces. Polarized lenses permit only vertical light rays to pass through them, not horizontal, and thus they reduce glare. I have found that polarized lenses are a must for maritime usage. For example, when deep sea fishing, and spotting schools of fish, contrast variations of the ocean surface becomes second nature. The maritime pilot sunglasses are typically a polarized version of the aviator pilot sunglasses.
However, polarized pilot sunglasses are not recommended, because of their possible interaction with displays or other materials in the cockpit environment. In addition, polarized pilot sunglasses may also interfere with visibility through an aircraft laminated windscreen which can mask the sparkle of light that reflects off shiny surfaces such as another aircraft's wing or windscreen thus reducing pilot response time for traffic avoidance. Another thought regarding polarization interference is the contrary effect on depth and distance perception particularly when banking your aircraft. Pilot sunglasses that are polarized may create visual illusions that can be quite dangerous.
3. Pilot Sunglasses and Tint
The choice of tints for pilot sunglasses is practically infinite. The three most common tints are gray pilot sunglasses, gray-green pilot sunglasses, and brown pilot sunglasses. Any pilot sunglasses tint is acceptable and really comes down to a personal preference based upon the pilot's individual perception of objects. Some pilots, however, report that gray-green pilot sunglasses and brown pilot sunglasses tints enhance vividness and minimize scattered (blue and violet) light, thus enhancing contrast in hazy conditions.
All of the above tints will provide you with the appropriate transition power. What do I mean? Pilot sunglasses must not confuse the pilot during a) transition from instrument to visual; b) transition to the flare and landing flight profiles; and c) transition from instrument to go-around. Therefore, it is immensely important that pilot sunglasses do not interfere with the pilot who is interpreting information between the instrument panel and visual environment. All of the above tints provide the transition ability without conflicting information while wearing your favorite pilot sunglasses.
4. Pilot Sunglasses and Frames, Style and Fit
OK so looking cool in and around the airport with your new pilot sunglasses is important! Style as mentioned previously is second to performance when selecting the right pilot sunglasses. The most important factor in pilot sunglasses frame is the fiddle factor component (FFC). The lower the FFC the higher the comfort and performance when wearing your favorite pilot sunglasses.
The last thing you want to worry about is constantly adjusting your pilot sunglasses while your hands are busily controlling the aircraft. I even have a special pair of glider pilot sunglasses. My pilot sunglasses I use when flying gliders make these boys glasses look puny! The Glider cockpit is covered in glass so my pilot sunglasses frame is approximately 64mm and drop slightly below my cheek bones. The increased frame size decreases the risk of contracting skin cancer, reduces glare off of the canopy, huge wings, and cumulus clouds I am thermaling around.
Just remember start with superior pilot sunglasses, a well performing aviation lens and then select a great looking frame. Pilot sunglasses are one of those pilot tools where you can really have both! Where vision is concerned, do not gamble your health by using cheap pilot sunglasses. Pilot sunglasses today are one of the pilot’s most important tools.
Hey and don’t you look so cool in those pilot sunglasses!
