Do you wear sunscreen?

[mcjohn]

Dadgummit! Just what I need right now. ANOTHER reason to steer clear of the airlines.

 

[sstearns2]

I fly a brasilia, the side windows are about 1/4" plexi and that's where most of the sun comes in. I wear sunscreen on my arms. I think pilots are at a greater risk for cancer, but if you don't smoke and stay in shape I think your risk level is still below the average person, unless your doing a lot of polar flying.

Scott

 

[flyingnome]

I probably should, sitting right seat teaching every day my right arm is definatly browner than my left... kind of the half of a hank hill tan

 

[User998]

Anytime I fly multiple days in a row, I'll inevetably get asked by someone "Have you been flying lately, the right side of your face seems a lot redder then the left."

I guess when I go left seat, I'll start to equal out that tan a bit more, and maybe bring my left arm up to color as well.

 

[BRIGADEAVIATOR]

I wear sunscreen for long cross countries, and definetly in low wings. Flew a Grumman a while back, and lets just say i've used sun screen ever since in that airplane.

 

[ArcticFlier]

Nope........never have. Any skin issues I've had have been in places sunlight only sees at the beach (had more than my share...........damn surfing ), or when I've been working in the yard. In other words, no correlation between flying and skin cancer.....................

AF

 

[Gorilla]

Guys, don't confuse UV radiation (sunburn) with cosmic/solar radiation. UV is light, photons, and is easily blocked with sunscreen or most plex windows. Look at the thin sunglasses which block "100 UVA/UVB"... they're not exctly NASA materials.

Cosmic rays are another matter, a mix of energetic particles, and electromagnetic radiation of a MUCH higher frequency and energy. Think X-rays. Strong X-rays go through solid materials, then whack your body, before exiting the other side. On their way through, they cause cellular and chromosomal damage.

High flight levels and high latitudes contribute hugely to radiation exposure. Domestic flying in the 20's and lower 30's isn't bad, but stuff at FL400, and especially NAT work at say 60 North and higher, is bad juju. I would strongly consider not doing North Atlantic for years and years.

What is it, a couple of chest X-rays each pond crossing? It's not trivial.

 

[Catbert]

Guys, don't confuse UV radiation (sunburn) with cosmic/solar radiation. UV is light, photons, and is easily blocked with sunscreen or most plex windows. Look at the thin sunglasses which block "100 UVA/UVB"... they're not exctly NASA materials.

Cosmic rays are another matter, a mix of energetic particles, and electromagnetic radiation of a MUCH higher frequency and energy. Think X-rays. Strong X-rays go through solid materials, then whack your body, before exiting the other side. On their way through, they cause cellular and chromosomal damage.

Almost.

Just to be real nerdy: uv, x-rays, visible light, cosmic radiation, radio, etc. are all just names for slices of a continuum of electromagnetic energy propagated by photons at different frequencies. Different frequencies convey different amounts of energy (higher frequency=higher energy). Therefore they each interact differently with the human body.

Don't even get started on what a particle is...

And no, I don't wear sunblock in the plane. I probably should.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Almost.

Just to be real nerdy: uv, x-rays, visible light, cosmic radiation, radio, etc. are all just names for slices of a continuum of electromagnetic energy propagated by photons at different frequencies. Different frequencies convey different amounts of energy (higher frequency=higher energy). Therefore they each interact differently with the human body.

Don't even get started on what a particle is...

And no, I don't wear sunblock in the plane. I probably should.

Higher freq does not necessarily = higher energy. That would be amplitude.
Don't believe me? try taking high power LF or ELF. Best of luck.

CE

 

[ExpWayVis31]

Cosmic rays are another matter, a mix of energetic particles, and electromagnetic radiation of a MUCH higher frequency and energy. Think X-rays. Strong X-rays go through solid materials, then whack your body, before exiting the other side. On their way through, they cause cellular and chromosomal damage.

All good reasons why the mandatory age 60 retirement age should remain...even better drop it down to age 55