Sport Pilot Talk

So my wife wanted to buy me something nice for my birthday (it was last month), she mentioned a leather A2 style jacket. When she was up in Ohio she stopped into US Wings which is close to where we grew up and looked at a few. Anyway, I told her to hold her horses (pun intended), before she got me anything. I just don't want to be that VFR guy in the lounge wearing a hot shot jacket. So she thinks I'm over reacting and should just let her get me something nice, I'm on the fence about it. So im going to ask the group: given I'm a simple VFR fairweather guy and definately not some hot shot fighter jock or APT, is this just me over reacting and being self concious, or would you look at someone like that as a blow-hard in the lounge????

My opinion, as a USAF veteran who wears an A2 every day: go for it! Just don't pin chickens on the epaulets, or velcro a squadron patch on the breast. (Written by someone who has his old squadron patch velcroed onto the breast...)

All jest aside, it's not Stolen Valor to wear an insigna-less A2 in honor of those who served.

Vietnam Vet checking in here - I agree, for civilians the unadorned clothing can be fine tribute. NO branch, rank, unit type symbols as that kinda crosses over into 'tacky'mall nija territory unless you've personally earned them IMHO.

Agreed...

Got a nice shirt at a reunion last year. It has the usual ribbons over the pocket but on the back is a shoulder to shoulder '50 Anniversary Survivor Reunion'

I doubt I will ever wear it.

But if the jacket looks nice, by all means go for it!

If you're not comfortable wearing it, you won't wear it. Ask her to take you to dinner.

Dan

My birthday is coming up next month and I told my wife last night that what I’d like most of all is for her to go get a long postponed physical and mammogram. That will make me happy.

Jim Hardin wrote: Got a nice shirt at a reunion last year. It has the usual ribbons over the pocket but on the back is a shoulder to shoulder '50 Anniversary Survivor Reunion'

My squadron had its 50th anniversary reunion 3 years ago. I didn't attend, as I was in Europe at the time - but I did go to my 40th. We were all wearing our flight jackets. I looked around the room, wondering "who are all these old men?" Then, I realized they were all looking at me and wondering the same thing!



BTW, underneath the A2, I chose to wear a POW shirt.

I still occasionally wear my 55 year old MA-1 with my squadron patch. It still looks good and keeps me warm.

Hey, you're looking pretty good for an old man, Stan!

Thanks, Paul. I'm hanging in there.

Get a nice tablet. I love my iPad Mini 4 with iFly GPS and Stratux.

Ah, but the tablet is already obsolete the first time you power it up. A good A2, OTOH, lasts for a half-century or more!

Well it would be devoid of patches, just the jacket. Unfortunately, I already have a tablet and a subscription to Garmin Pilot so that's already taken care of. I like the MA-1, that's pretty sharp!

Well, if you had been wearing it in our local FBO this morning, you would have received a lot of ribbing and everyone would think you were wearing it for show. But that’s because it was a freakin’ 85F today. Stick with cold weather and you’ll be fine!

Don’t forget the WWII fleece-lined aviator boots....

That store has some really nice looking apparel. But, IMO, if you get a leather jacket, you'll have to get a motorcycle to go with it.