Ever heard about the flight suit? A flight suit is a special full-body garment. It is worn by pilots while flying aircrafts like helicopters, airplanes and gliders. The suits are especially designed to keep the person who wears them warm. It is also a very practical and durable suit. When you see flight suits, mostly you immediately think about jumpsuits. This is a one piece suit of clothing. A flight suit also serves another purpose. Sometimes it is also used as combat uniform in close quarter battles or in seizure situations. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about the flight suit, its history, the standards for flight suits and so much more.

History of the flight suit

The flight suit has a rich history, which we now are going to tell you about. In the early years cockpits were unheated. That meant that the need for warm clothing became apparent. Also the need for multiple pockets and closures of buttons and zippers grew. This to prevent the loss of articles during flying. In World War I different types of flight jackets and pants were made. Pilots wore mostly leather two-piece suits to stay warm. Leather soon became the best material due to its sustainability and protection it offered to oil thrown off by inline motors and rotary and insect strikes during take offs and landings. In 1917 a new flying suit was made. It was called the ‘Sidcot suit’. This suit solves many problems of pilots who wanted to stay warm in their cockpits. This new flying suit was widely used by The RAF till 1950.

Back to the Second World War. When World War II started, electrically heated suites were introduced for patrol and bomber crews who operated at high altitudes above 30,000 feet. The air temperature at 30,000 feet was so cold that flesh could freeze immediately when getting into contact with any metal. When pressurized and enclosed cabins came, leather and shearling jackets were no longer a necessity. Pilots as well navigators and bombardiers wore their officer uniforms under their flight jackets inside the heated and enclosed cabin. For wais gunners electrically heated suits were especially needed, because they fired their guns through the open window. When a new airplane was introduced in the fight against Japan, the gun turrets were remote controlled. Gunners no longer had to fire through the open window. That made the introduction of light flight suits possible.

There were different types of flight suites. Bomber pilots could also wear their uniforms as flight gear, but a fighter pilot needed a special uniform that has special functions to fly in a fighter plane cockpit. Early during the war the need for short-duration fire production was demonstrated. When technology advanced, the fire-protective flight suit, masks, goggles and helmets were made. Fire jackets were especially made so that bomber crews were protected from flying shrapnels. Though it was known that the jackets made the airplane weigh more and reduced the loading of bombs that could be carried. Fully fire-retardant materials were very required. At that time also the one piece fly suit was made. This suit could be worn above other clothes and offer protection against different circumstances.

What are the standards of a flight suit?

The standard flight suit for most air forces and navies is made from Nomex. This is a special fabric made from spun aramid. It is as well fire-resistant as lightweigt. Because the flight suit has various flame retardant capabilities, it makes the material ideal for protecting pilots in case of a fire. When there is fire the suit won’t catch flames and so gives the pilot full protection. The suits are often green and have multiple pockets to put specific gear away.

What flight suits are mostly worn around the world?

Most countries in the world use Nomex fabric flight suits. They are a lot alike in color, design and sustainability. The flight suits for commercial flights are normally not of as high quality as the suits for flight suits which are used in combat. The flight suits also look a lot like firemen suits, race suits and space suits. They are all industrial suits. Not only the material is special. Also the lining and fastenings are special. Flight suits normally have six pockets minimum which can be fast opened with only one hand. Their colors are a lot like uniforms of ground crew and soldier uniforms and perfectly blend in. This is to protect their identities and secure the pilots.

What are the benefits of good flight suits?

Good flight suits offer various benefits, like:

• Safety: one of the most important benefits of the flight suit is that it guarantees safety. The suits are most often used by military personnel. When it was made, the first thing that was thought of was how they could make an as safe flight suit as possible. One of the biggest features of the fight suit was that it also was made of flame resistant material. The Nomex material helped to keep the pilot safe when there was an explosion. It also increases the chance of survival of the pilot.
• Easy to wear: in early years the flight suit was more overweight and not that sustainable. Pilots could hardly get in the suits. Flight suits nowadays are made of Nomex material, which ensures flexibility and more comfort for pilots wearing them. They also have more pockets to put stuff away, which can easily be opened.
• Better quality: a good flight suit has the best quality. The suits are sustainable, secure and made from the best materials. The colors won’t fade and the suit also offers protection against different types of materials.
• Comfortable: as we already mentioned, early flight suits weren’t that comfortable. They were made of heavy materials, which directly created discomfort. kept the wearers of the suits warm. Suits today not only give wearers warmth. They are also very comfortable to wear. They are made in different sizes, so there is a perfect fit for everyone. The design is also very breathable, so air can escape when the body is overheated. Also when it is cold, it keeps the body warm.

How can I maintain a flight suit?

If you want to take good care of a flight suit, you should always wash the suit in warm water. You can wash a flight suit by machine. Be careful with hot water, because it could discolor the suits. If you use a detergent, we advise you to use an industrial based soap. Do you want to dry your flying suit? The easiest way to do this is by air-dying the suit. You simply hang the suit in a well ventilated space. It will dry quicker if you do this. Don’t place it in direct sunlight and don’t put it in a place nearby heat sources. When your suit is completely dry, you just remove the hangar and put it in a cool and dry place until you want to use it again. If you don’t use the suit, hang it somewhere it won’t be exposed to dust or dirt. Put the suit in a special garment bag or a container so it doesn’t get damaged by other stuff. Don’t fold your suit, but hang it in a closet in the hangar of the aircraft or at home. Always make sure that your suit is away from heat sources like open fires and radiators. It could really damage your suit. It can not only ruin its design, but also the fire-resistance capabilities. This means that your suit could not be safe anymore and you can’t use it. In that case you have to buy a new one, because when there will be a fire later, you won’t be protected anymore.

Flight suits for men and women

The flight suit was for years unisex. It ignored the specific needs of women. At our webshop we sell flight suits for men and women. Both suits offer the same properties that make them very high-quality. The suits are as well flame resistant as breathable, comfortable and lightweight. The colors also won’t fade. The women's suits are especially designed for women. No more unisex clothes or feeling like a man! If you are looking for a flying suit, there are different things you have to keep in mind. One of the most important things is the functionality of the flight suit. If you buy a suit that is too tight, you won’t feel that much comfort and you won't be able to move freely. If you buy a suit that is too loose, you will suffer from increased drag. Do you need help to find the right fit? We are happy to help you! Just contact us and we will look for the best flying suit for you.

Order your flight suit online at Fostex Garments

Do you need a flight suit for your job or other purposes? Then we highly recommend checking out our collection. We have a lot of very high-quality in our online shop. We deliver modern designs which are also very affordable. You will always get more for your money. Don’t wait any longer and place an order at our shop! Take a look at our collection of flight suits and pick the best flight suit for your purposes or contact us for more information. We are happy to help you!