55-PA18A
SPONSOR
Dillingham, Alaska
I choose my jacket outer layer based on the performance as a piece of clothing since that jacket is probably the most important piece of "survival gear" on me. That has nothing to do with pockets. Dress like you'll have to walk home. That's 75% of the survival gear package right there. Assuming you have communicated your position, and that's the other 25%.
Personally? When I winter fly I dress the same as I would to go snowmachining. My reason has to do with surviving being wet, injured, and out in the cold. Been there, done that. And I have walked home, too. More than once.
I agree with this.
I have two different vests. One for summer when on floats, a float vest with several types of fire starter, EPIRB, bug head net, insect repellent, water filter straw, several paper towels sealed in plastic (better than TP, works as fire tinder, and bandage), signal mirror, flash light, and probably a couple granola or candy bars. I should add reading glasses. I have another float vest with gear for a passenger to wear. The survival/camping gear that stays in the back would be enough to sit tight for quite a while,...but that doesn't count.
The other is an blaze orange cotton duck surveyor's vest bought from Forestry Suppliers. That's for wheel or ski flying. Same stuff, though it's larger and I add a blaze orange knit cap in one of the side pockets, and an extra large, heavy duty extra large garbage bag (again bright orange,...don't remember where I got that), in the back pouch. Probably a few more candy bars.
Neither are comfortable to wear, but what about flying a Cub IS comfortable? Most of my flying the past couple years has been down in Indiana, so I have to admit I haven't been wearing the orange vest. If I have an unplanned landing, if able, I'll just walk to the nearest farm house. But I still wear work boots, jeans, shirt/jacket, etc. I really cringe when I see photos of pilots wearing shorts and sneakers.
Jim