Sun block while flying

[satpak77]

My left arm is tanner than my right. Which brings up the question-

Anyone use sun block to protect themselves while up at altitude?

Or the ramp for that matter?

 

[mayday1]

i don't use sunblock but my dermatologist swares up and down pilots are more susceptible to and have more incidences of skin cancer. She says the UV rays are stronger at altitude and that I should wear sunblock every time I fly... and i do, of course : )

 

[semperfido]

if you are genetically predisposed to skin issues then you should use sun block every day

 

[CrewResearch]

Yes, it is a good idea to use sunblock while flying when you're sitting up there in the pointy end!

Ultra-violet radiation, the part of "sunshine" that can damage your skin, is more intense at altitude than on the ground for the simple reason that the higher up you go, the less of the Earth's atmosphere you have between you and the sun. So, more UV rays get through to you.

UV radiation can cause or contribute to skin cancers. It also affects certain cellular structures in the skin, resulting in faster "aging" of the skin: Leathery texture and premature wrinkles.

UV radiation can also damage the eyes, causing cataracts. (This happens over time, of course -- not from one exposure.) Untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Exposure to UV rays is also blamed for a number of other eye disorders, such as inflammations of the cornea, the iris, and the membranes that line the eyelids.

What to do:

For the skin, sleeves help. So does sun block. Get some that's intended for use on the face. You can use this on arms and necks as well. (If you get "regular" sunscreen for your arms and neck, you'll have to get a second one for your face -- face sunscreen is usually anti-pore-clogging. Might as well use that kind for the whole works!)

For your eyes, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends wrap-around sunglasses, or sunglasses with side panels. And if you think that kind looks dorky on you -- only wear them in the cockpit, and switch to your "cooler" shades after you land.

 

[Singlecoil]

I wish my left arm was tanner than my right. In my case, its the other way around.

 

[cforst513]

yeah, i think the original poster was showing off and letting the world know he's a captain

 

[semperfido]

I wish my left arm was tanner than my right. In my case, its the other way around.

simple answer is to swap seats

 

[TonyC]

What is this "sun" thing to which you refer? Is it that thing that rises from the horizon to sting my eyes during the landing after a long night of dodging clouds I cannot see, and the thing that drowns my hotel room in light when I'm trying to sleep?

Why is it sunscreen, but moonshine? Is there a moonscreen?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?





.

 

[HMR]

My crewmember and I divide up our assignments as TP (Tanning Pilot) and NTP (Non-Tanning Pilot). If it's your day to be TP, you get to wear your swimsuit and hold the shiny-side of the cockpit sunscreen in your lap (helps focus the sun's rays on that hard-to-tan spot under your chin). The NTP is responsible for all flying duties as well as preparing the cucumber slices we place over our eyes. Aside from not being able to control the yolk or tiller with Baby Oil on your hands it's a great way to fly.

 

[English]

Cool...I wanna fly with HMR!

 

[CrewResearch]

You guys crack me up!

 

[FN FAL]

In case you missed it Dr. Sullivan, those of us who have careers flying aircraft with only plexiglass windows are more at risk at developing skin cancer, as those windows do not filter uv rays.

 

[CrewResearch]

Very interesting, FN FAL. You are right -- I had not considered that.

I learn something new from you guys every day! (Which is why I'm here... ).

So, tell me, what kinds of a/c do have plexiglass instead of glass?

 

[sstearns2]

I use one of those mesh screens with suction cups when up high during the day. You can still see thru it, but it cuts out most of the sunlight. They're at the autoparts store. There are people who say the sunblock itself is not very good for you either. I don't know if I'd use sunblock every day of my working life.

Scott

 

[seethru]

I've found these sunscreen wipes to be very convenient for the cockpit. No need to lug around a bottle of greasy sunscreen.

http://www.spwipes.com/

 

[EagleRJ]

In case you missed it Dr. Sullivan, those of us who have careers flying aircraft with only plexiglass windows are more at risk at developing skin cancer, as those windows do not filter uv rays.

FWIW, the UV radiation is indeed more intense at higher altitudes, but the windows of pressurized aircraft filter out 100% of it, so it isn't a factor. Plexiglas windows in smaller planes let it all through unless the window has a special UV tint, but the windows in pressurized aircraft are made with layers of both glass and plastic, as well as the metal used for anti-ice.

Pilots who fly at high altitudes aren't off the hook though. Being above most of the atmosphere exposes you to cosmic radiation, but it's the greatest problem for those who fly long-haul (high altitudes, long duration, high latitudes near the thinning ozone layer). I read somewhere that pilots crossing the North Atlantic under worst-case conditions (after a solar storm) are exposed to the equivalent of 10 chest X-rays. If you do that regularly, it will add up after a while!

 

[El Cóndor]

I've found these sunscreen wipes to be very convenient for the cockpit. No need to lug around a bottle of greasy sunscreen.

http://www.spwipes.com/

Now . . . why didn't I think of that !!!! I would be filty rich, I would be able to afford my own Eclipse 500 AND have my picture taken with the Commander in Chief.

 

[DorkProp]

ALPA did an article a few years ago that referenced a study showing that pilots have higher incidences of skin cancer.

If you're fair like me, have a family history of skin cancer like me, sun burned as a child of the 70s/80s like me, then wear sunscreen every day! I've had five dysplastic (pre cancerous) moles removed already, and I'm only 30. Melanoma will certainly ground you for several months. But besides being grounded, experiencing cancer could really ruin your day.

 

[CapnVegetto]

I highly recommend sunblock. I have an uncle that flew a Citation headsetless for 20+ years, and he had to have a small top part of his left ear removed b/c of skin cancer. His doctor blamed it on flying.

 

[CrewResearch]

Pilots who fly at high altitudes aren't off the hook though. Being above most of the atmosphere exposes you to cosmic radiation, but it's the greatest problem for those who fly long-haul (high altitudes, long duration, high latitudes near the thinning ozone layer). I read somewhere that pilots crossing the North Atlantic under worst-case conditions (after a solar storm) are exposed to the equivalent of 10 chest X-rays. If you do that regularly, it will add up after a while!

It's true.

I have a whole info page about cosmic radiation exposure on my website.

http://aircrewhealth.com/Topics/hazards/radiation.htm

if you are interested.

 

[WizardPilot]

I talked to my doctor the other day about this. He recommended full length clothing AND sunblock. I asked him about full body suits, and he said they were ok. So I went out and bought myself this fine piece of work

http://www.wolfhazmat.de/respirex/NuclearProtection_0001.jpg

Sure it's a little bulky, but hey, I don't want the cancer. The doctor even told me to wear it as much as possible outside. 100UV protection AND it has those little fans that pump the "methane you rane" out when detected!

Just kiddin guys. Wear the sunscreen!!! My family is very prudent to getting some skin malfunctions, so I wear it as much as possible.

 

[CrewResearch]

Gee WizardPilot, thanks for that.


Maybe I should put a link to that suit on my website!

 

[FN FAL]

Very interesting, FN FAL. You are right -- I had not considered that.

I learn something new from you guys every day! (Which is why I'm here... ).

So, tell me, what kinds of a/c do have plexiglass instead of glass?

Plexiglass windows?

Mostly the non-pressurized planes. Figure the career CFI is at risk in 2-6 place singles and twins (laugh all you want, some people find it rewarding being a CFI; it's better than working in chicken deboning)

Then you got the guys that fly twin otters, otters and bush planes for a career. Jump pilots fly otters and twin otters.

Freight dogs fly Caravans, Shorts Skyvans, etc. All these airplanes mentioned are non-pressurized and have plexiglass.

Your corporate pilot or chater pilot spends a lot of time in Navajo, Beech Barrons, Cessna 300 series airplanes. Non-pressurized and plexiglass.

Then there are your state pilots, who fly law enforcement and fire patrols in non-pressurized planes with plexiglass windows. Lot's of state guys enjoy their careers and I know of one that flies 8 hours a day in a single engine Cessna doing fire patrols. I'd think he'd be at great risk of skin cancer.

Last but not least, there are the fire contractors. They fly all kinds of non-presurized planes with plexiglass windows and make a career of doing it. Here you have helicopters, twin pistons, single pistons, some big radial engined jobs and some turbine powered non-pressurized planes. This is another aspect of the aviation field where a person may choose to spend an entire career flying a non-pressurized plane with plexiglass windows.

As an afterthought, you have your scenic tour operations. I'm sure they fly lots of aircraft with plexiglass windows.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

Then there are us corporate pilots flying around at FL 450 getting blasted with all the cosmic rays. Good thing I only flew 2 times this month and never even got to the flight levels. The only good thing about TAWS being installed this month. (other than I didn't have to foot the bill)