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Old November 7th 11, 02:42 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Herbert kilian
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Posts: 48
Default AOPA gliding video

On Nov 7, 3:48*am, stephanevdv wrote:
Nice.

Just one remark: in this video, everybody seems to be wearing a
baseball cap while flying. I wonder why.

In Belgium where I live, the safety commitee of the Flemish soaring
federation deems this type of cap unfit for glider flying. The same is
true in most of the surrounding countries.

Arguments against baseball caps:
- the large visor (peak) is blocking out part of the visibility,
unless very carefully positioned;
- the brim often collides with the canopy, hampering visibility and/or
head rotation, especially for tall people;
- ears and neck are left without protection against sun rays;
- the knob on the summit of the cap can damage the canopy in
turbulence.

That's why most European glider pilots wear a bucket hat. Not really
trendy, but safe (does not hamper look out) and efficient (protects
face, ears and neck)...


Same in the US, nobody in their right mind wears a baseball cap in a
glider - and for the same reasons you are listing.