arby

This is a video compares Non Polarized vs Polarized Sunglasses in a modern aviation environment. I still sometimes hear guys/gals say that they just use cheap sunglasses and the polarization doesn't bother them. It's a safety thing as well as significantly reducing multiple types of eye-stress.




(approved by all required parties and shot under specific circumstances).

say again

Fix the link

Thedude

Polarized sunglasses and heated windscreens don't mix.

rickair7777

Also...another aircraft reflecting sunlight at just the right angle can essentially become invisible to the wearer of polarized glasses.

Pogey Bait

Good for fishing not flying.

Jato

I fly with Maui Jim aviatiors that are the red polarized, no prob at all. Sometimes I have to look under the lense to look at screens but no biggie.

AdiosMikeFox

Nice to see the contrast bumped WAY out of proportion on those polarized images so they can sensationalize the "problem" and sell you on non-polarized lenses.

I've been flying with polarized lenses for 20 years, bot GA and airlines. I've had zero trouble looking through windscreens (both heated and not), at instruments (steam gauges or CRT), or seeing other aircraft. I'd say I'm able to spot distant aircraft before my non-polarized counterparts are able to. Yes, there is occasionally some rainbow effect on windscreens, but it's completely transparent and, occasionally, tipping my head to the side will cause a radio to "dim", but I generally look under my glasses for inside work anyway.

Polarized = not a problem.

I should add the caveat that these are prescription lenses. Maybe they are a higher grade/better aligned than off the shelf Sunglass Hut lenses.

LTdan

Complete garbage, I only wear polarized, nothing else, GA and airline flying. I've never had a problem spotting traffic and the only time I can't see the screen (it goes black) is when I tilt my head to be parallel with the floor, 90 degrees, basically on my shoulder. Needless to say, I don't fly like that, so it's not an issue.

GogglesPisano

So what's the big deal with seeing rainbows on the windshield? I think they're pretty.

I don't want glare. I don't want cataracts when I'm older.

Now if you see unicorns ...

arby

There is a reason that Polarized Sunglasses are not recommended by the FAA. There are numerous articles on this topic. To say you can see through the Rainbows and Sparkles as good as someone who's not handicapped that way is unrealistic. Here is a FAA safety Bulletin about sunglasses and it's recommendations. Also, each aircraft is different. Each Pair of Sunglasses are different. But in General, using sunglasses that are partially obscured at unknown times is not safer or can cause delayed reaction time. Link:http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pil...sunglasses.pdf, Excerpt:

"POLARIZATION. Polarized lenses are
not recommended for use in the aviation
environment. While useful for blocking reflected
light from horizontal surfaces such as water or
snow, polarization can reduce or eliminate the visibility of instruments that incorporate antiglare
filters. Polarized lenses may also interfere
with visibility through an aircraft windscreen
by enhancing striations in laminated materials
and mask the sparkle of light that reflects off
shiny surfaces such as another aircraft’s wing or
windscreen, which can reduce the time a pilot
has to react in a “see-and-avoid” traffic situation."