Polarized lenses in sunglasses???

[horseface]

We've probably all heard that flying in polarized lenses is a no-no.

I have heard reasons centered around the EFIS displays, distortion with heated windshields, etc.

Has anyone actually flown in polarized lenses? Problems? No problems?

I dont want to drop the cash on polarized if it's going to not work...

Thanks for the help.

 

[atrdriver]

Depends on what you fly. I have had trouble seeing out sections of the windows, and occasionally seeing an EFIS screen. I don't wear them for that reason.

 

[mynameisjim]

I have a pair, and I've worn them flying. In the CRJ, you can see the EFIS screens fine (tubes), just not the backup tuning unit well, because it's LCD. You can see out the windows fine on the ground, but at altitude (either the temp or the pressure, i dunno) you can't clearly see out the windshield. It starts at the edges, and works it's way in until most of the windshield is obscured with rainbow colors.

 

[Scrapdog]

We've probably all heard that flying in polarized lenses is a no-no.

I have heard reasons centered around the EFIS displays, distortion with heated windshields, etc.

Has anyone actually flown in polarized lenses? Problems? No problems?

I dont want to drop the cash on polarized if it's going to not work...

Thanks for the help.

Flying with polarized lenses in the 73 does not work.

 

[MINIME]

They work for me, even on the Guppy. I've learned to ignore the problems mentioned above.

 

[CA1900]

We've probably all heard that flying in polarized lenses is a no-no.

I have heard reasons centered around the EFIS displays, distortion with heated windshields, etc.

Depends entirely on your particular airplane. If your plane doesn't have any LCD displays in it, then seeing them probably won't be an issue. LCDs use a polarizing filter, and if it happens to be at a 90-degree angle to the polarizing effect on your sunglasses, that's why the display turns blank. If you rotate your head so they're not lined up, you'll see the display again.

You may see some really annoying effects on the windshield, though, depending on the airplane.


One big reason I don't recommend them in an airplane is that the polarization may block that little glint of light off a wingtip or other reflection that calls your attention to traffic. Not worth it in my eyes.

In a car or a boat? They're fantastic. A plane? I don't like 'em.

 

[say again]

I've tried them and looking at certain angles made RMU, EFIS screens disappear. Also, looking out the windows gave some kind of purple haze which was annoying.

 

[MTV]

I have done it on the 737 800.
The EFIS screens and the windshield is obscured.

 

[firstthird]

Polarized glasses are designed to cut glare off of water or snow, as in snow lying or water flowing or sitting on the ground, not floating around in the sky.

so, the only time that polarized glasses are good for flying are for a minute or so during landing and the taxiing around time (if the taxiways are wet and the sun is at the correct angle to give you glare), all rest of the time in the air they are giving you something you don't need.

Since they reduce glare, they are also going to reduce the reflection off that other aircraft you are looking for.

Save the polarized lenses for driving and sailing and fishing and skiing, get some nice serengetti's for flying. They even come in decent frames these days, unlike 15 years ago when all 5 choices were birth-control central.

'learning to live' with visual distortions in the cockpit is a bad idea.

just my opinion.

 

[Saabslime]

I tried flying with some polarized ray-bans in the airbus and had all the problems mentioned above especially with the windshield (like a bad acid trip). Also, one of the guys I was flying with said that they're illegal. I don't know if that's true or not and didn't bother to find out since I wasn't going to fly with those glasses anymore anyway.

 

[say again]

get some nice serengetti's for flying. They even come in decent frames these days, unlike 15 years ago when all 5 choices were birth-control central.

HAHAHA, very true!! :beer::laugh:

 

[Skyboy722]

I used to use them all the time in a 145, and continue to use them all the time in the 73. A little rainbow in the windshield and the screens will go blank if you tilt your head (like when reaching for the logbook or something). I don't see any of that as a problem, and I think they they cut out ALOT of glare, particularly above a cloud deck. Then again, anything to save my eyes. They're getting fried up there.

 

[aircowboy]

Glass lense driver tint Serenghetis are amazing and will last you forever without scratching. They contrast the clouds and take away glare. I will never go back to anything else. The Imola and Vedi styles are much cooler then the old "birth control aviators" the over 60 crowd still wear!

 

[aircowboy]

just make sure you buy the non polarized

 

[jke406]

great thread--are polarized lenses illegal, and if so, where is that written?