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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.