Flying gloves

[Zzz]

Looking for some good mid-to-lightweight flying gloves.

Been a bit nippy lately out there in the Cub, so I've been wearing my Mountain Hardwear glove liners to keep my hands warm. They feel great, the problem is gripping the stick. There's something about the composition of the synthetic gloves that makes them feel like someone dipped the stick in KY jelly. That is to say...slippery. LIke a golf ball on a satin sheet.

I also read an article lately about some guy who uses Nomex gloves, even provides them to his passengers. Fire is of course a concern-- don't wanna have my fingers burned to nubs-- but the Nomex offerings kinda suck. What about wool?

Tried these on today. A nice-fitting pure wool glove, but just a bit on the thick side. Here in NW Oregon we consider cold to be less than 30F. Obviously gloves for the northern winters are going to be more substantial. They did have some light rubbery stuff on the fingers and palms for grip. I suppose you could find a pair of wool gloves, and lay your palm in a tray of plasti-dip (for tool handles)?

[LT4247]

I know you said Nomex gloves suck but I have to disagree. I use Blackhawk Nomex gloves year round and rarely fly without them.. I have tried all kinds but find these high quality gloves to be the best for us:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Aviato ... 3,1498.htm

[Portage Creek]

Z,

These are expensive, but the leather contact surface solves your slipping feeling. I have bought several items from these folks and find the products to be first class.

http://www.massif.com/catalogsearch/res ... s&x=31&y=7

If it gets even colder than you expect, put a chemical toe warmer from Grabbers into each and you will be toasty for several hours.

GR

[GumpAir]

I know you said Nomex gloves suck but I have to disagree. I use Blackhawk Nomex gloves year round and rarely fly without them..

Ditto on that. I have my original issue Nomex from decades ago, and still wear them. In fact, I feel funny if I'm NOT wearing gloves while flying. For the real cold WX I use Cabellas heavy mittens, with the black snot-rag on the back of the hand.

Gump

[58Skylane]

Not sure if there's anything you'd like here (http://www.ringersgloves.com/). If so, let me know. I know how to get a pair or two

[182 STOL driver]

I know you said Nomex gloves suck but I have to disagree. I use Blackhawk Nomex gloves year round and rarely fly without them..

Ditto on that. I have my original issue Nomex from decades ago, and still wear them. In fact, I feel funny if I'm NOT wearing gloves while flying. For the real cold WX I use Cabellas heavy mittens, with the black snot-rag on the back of the hand.

Gump

Keep the Supply Sargent supplied with good hootch and get some Military Nomex or go to ebay .I've got 3-4 pair -also get some helmet bag(s) for carrying your gear, backpacks, etc.

[kevbert]

I know you said Nomex gloves suck but I have to disagree. I use Blackhawk Nomex gloves year round and rarely fly without them.. I have tried all kinds but find these high quality gloves to be the best for us:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Aviato ... 3,1498.htm

Those look exactly like what I've been using for the last few years, and I think they're great. They are very lightweight, intended for summer use. The palm is leather, and the backs are nomex fabric. The tip of the index finger on my gloves was sewn down to a little bit of a pinched size so that you can actually do all sorts of fine manipulation while wearing them. I sure as hell didn't pay $50 though, I got them for $20 at sportsmansguide.com. They only have SMALL size left now, though.

I just looked at mine, they are "SIZE 11, GLOVES, FLYER'S, SUMMER, TYPE GS/FRF-2, blah, blah". They are very snug, and I usually wear an XL glove.

Various places are selling similar gloves on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=NOMEX+GLOVES&x=0&y=0

[flightlogic]

The thing about Nomex gloves (which I wear on every flight) is the question.... what else are you wearing? Most of the fleece, sweatshirts, jackets etc. that we all throw on to fly with.... will all melt right into your skin in a fire. If anyone has visited my photo section, they see the closeups of the Turbo C210 burning to the ground... that I landed just in time. I had some synthetic fabric jacket on that day. Had I not gotten away from the flames, it would have been ugly. So, it is worth shopping for good gloves... but also appropriate outer wear also. Just a pain in the ass on warm days though. The "crispy critter club" general that used to make the rounds to Army forts to convince us to keep the Nomex buttoned down at the sleeves and ankles was convincing for sure. But in time, it is easy to get complacent. I don't really have the solution. It's just worth some thought though.
Cheers. Nick

[courierguy]

10-4 on that, I make a point to wear my cotton jackets or my ex air force nomex flight suit, I leave the nylon fleece stuff at home when flying. I would never have thought about that except for this site's good info. The nylon fleece stuff is great otherwise, light, warm and cheap. So, good to get the word out: DON'T FLY WITH IT!

[low rider]

Gloves schmuvs,,,,,,feels like wearing a rubber when I fly with gloves on.If I need them it means my heater is broken again.

[Emory Bored]

Looking for some good mid-to-lightweight flying gloves.
That is to say...slippery. LIke a golf ball on a satin sheet.

I don't think I'd dip the gloves in the tool grip stuff, but maybe transfer some onto the wool gloves with a Q tip or something? Dots like on the kevlar filleting gloves for fishing. Those aren't warm though.

And I'm trying to figure out how you came up with that simile with the golf ball on the satin sheets. Please elaborate.......

[L-19]

Surplus OD nomex gloves... Year round... Love em

[Emory Bored]

The thing about Nomex gloves (which I wear on every flight) is the question.... what else are you wearing? Most of the fleece, sweatshirts, jackets etc. that we all throw on to fly with.... will all melt right into your skin in a fire. If anyone has visited my photo section, they see the closeups of the Turbo C210 burning to the ground... that I landed just in time. I had some synthetic fabric jacket on that day. Had I not gotten away from the flames, it would have been ugly. So, it is worth shopping for good gloves... but also appropriate outer wear also. Just a pain in the ass on warm days though. The "crispy critter club" general that used to make the rounds to Army forts to convince us to keep the Nomex buttoned down at the sleeves and ankles was convincing for sure. But in time, it is easy to get complacent. I don't really have the solution. It's just worth some thought though.
Cheers. Nick

I've got a USAF green nomex flight suit from a buddy who got too fat to wear for duty. Has his last name on it though. It's the light weight one and pretty comfy with just a pair of shorts and a T shirt in summer. I left the jacket in a restaurant one day. Came back the next.....no jacket. That's nice stuff. I also have a Veetnam era army helo suit but I'm not sure it's nomex. I don't think the gvmnt cared as much for those guys as they do now. Alyeska gave me a nomex coverall but I use it for painting in.

Anyhow, if you're willing to look GI and have somebody else's name on your chest it's not a bad way to travel.

[Zzz]

Gloves schmuvs,,,,,,feels like wearing a rubber when I fly with gloves on.If I need them it means my heater is broken again.

But you have a glorious Cessna heater and probably doors that seal nicely.

You know, in summer my problem isn't much different...sweaty hands, slippery stick.

[58Skylane]

You know, in summer my problem isn't much different...sweaty hands, slippery stick.

Say what?? Be careful. Tim's grand-kids might be reading this stuff

[ZPilot]

Here's a flying glove:

[EZFlap]

Nomex and fire safety... good thinking of course. Has anyone looked into the spray-on or soak-in treatments that make ordinary fabrics fire resistant? They were developed and FAA certified to meet FAR 25.853 flame resistance certification for interior fabrics and upholstery. But is there any reason that this stuff cannot be used on cotton or other clothing fabrics to increase fire resistance?

The rules said we had to go out and buy surplus nomex coveralls (guess which color?) or a nomex driving suit for air racing. Still have my Simpson Racing nomex shoes. Fortunately never had to make use of either. Perhaps having a set of this type Mil surplus coveralls as your "flight suit" over your regular warm winter clothing would be worthwhile, if there is a reason you could not fireproof your existing favorite flying duds?

And Zane, all you gotta do is cut small patches of leather for the fingertips and heel of your hand, and glue them on your warm wool gloves using Shoe Goo carefully applied to the leather. You will have a better and more positive grip, and still keep the warmth and moisture wicking action of your wool. Find a pair of ripped or worn out leather gloves or shoes, and you have free leather grip mat'l. Shoe Goo should be in everyone's tool kit or hangar junk box already.

[PilotRPI]

AlpineStars nomex gloves for me. I love them. Warm enough in the winter, cool enough in the summer. Thin enough to be able to function little knobs and buttons. As driving gloves, the grip they have on them works perfect for flying. I don't remember the exact model.

Your hands may be the most important part of getting out of a fire. Undoing latches, taking off the seatbelt - can be hard to do with skin coming off your hands. Heard a terrible story about that once.

They are probably a bit pricey, but I was lucky enough to get a pair through work. I also use driving shoes for flying. The only thing thin enough in a cub that allows my feet to fit between the wall and the front seat to hit the rudder pedals.

[tcj]

Carhart has a flame resistant line but I don't see gloves.
http://www.midwestworkwear.com/all-flame-resistant.aspx

[kevbert]

Nomex and fire safety... good thinking of course. Has anyone looked into the spray-on or soak-in treatments that make ordinary fabrics fire resistant? They were developed and FAA certified to meet FAR 25.853 flame resistance certification for interior fabrics and upholstery. But is there any reason that this stuff cannot be used on cotton or other clothing fabrics to increase fire resistance?

Every spray-on fire resistant product that I've ever seen requires occasional to frequent reapplication. The stuff eventually flakes off, wears off, or washes off. Nomex (generic name: aramid) is fire resistant to begin with, so its fire resistant properties don't degrade with time, washing, or use. When oil is dripping down my coveralls after an oil-change battle and I step in front of the space heater, I want the fibers themselves to protect me, and not just a few molecules of borax (a common ingredient of many fire-resistant treatments) that are on the surface of a flammable or meltable fiber.

Then again, it would help if I were more diligent about regularly wearing the stuff.