| For most people sunglasses fulfill one, or both, of | | | | which in turn can reduce the ability of pilots to |
| two purposes: as a fashion statement to look "cool," | | | | "see-and-avoid" other aircraft. |
| and to help cope with bright sunlight. The choices | | | | Photo chromic lenses automatically darken when |
| available are seemingly endless, and can range from | | | | exposed to ultraviolet light and become lighter in dim |
| polarized to photo chromic to colorful tints and | | | | light. The majority of the darkening takes place within |
| shades. | | | | 60 seconds, while lightening may take several |
| But for pilots sunglasses are much more than a | | | | minutes. While most photo chromic lenses can get as |
| fashion statement. Sunglasses help safeguard a pilot's | | | | dark as regular sunglasses, direct sunlight or warm |
| most important sensory asset in flight - vision. A | | | | temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit can |
| quality pair of sunglasses is essential in the cockpit | | | | seriously limit their ability to darken, and reduced |
| environment to optimize visual performance. They | | | | ultraviolet light exposure in a cockpit can further limit |
| help reduce the effects of harsh sunlight, decrease | | | | their effectiveness. Further, the faded state of photo |
| eye fatigue, and protect ocular tissue from exposure | | | | chromic lenses may not be clear enough to be useful |
| to harmful solar radiation. Additionally, they protect | | | | when flying in clouds or at night. |
| the pilot's eyes from impact with objects such as | | | | The selection of frames is more a matter of personal |
| flying debris from a bird strike, sudden decompression | | | | preference; however, bayonet style temples are the |
| or an aerobatic maneuver. | | | | most popular because they are easy to put on or |
| The choice of tints for sunglasses is almost infinite, | | | | remove while wearing headsets or a helmet. Smaller |
| but the three most common tints are gray, | | | | lenses may not be practical because they allow too |
| gray-green, and brown, any of which would be an | | | | much visible light and ultraviolet radiation to pass |
| excellent choice for the aviator. Gray is | | | | around the edges of the lenses. Finally, use of a strap |
| recommended the most because it distorts color the | | | | is recommended to prevent the sunglasses from |
| least. Many pilots, however, report that gray-green | | | | being accidentally dislodged. |
| and brown tints enhance vividness and minimize | | | | In summary, while sunglasses may add to the |
| scattered blue and violet light, thus enhancing | | | | mystique of a pilot, sunglasses are the most |
| contrast in hazy conditions. | | | | important method to protect the pilot's eyes from |
| For pilot, sunglass lenses should screen out only | | | | glare associated with bright sunlight and the effects |
| 70-85% of visible light and not appreciably distort | | | | from exposure to solar radiation. Since sunglasses are |
| color. Any tints that block out more than 85% of | | | | such an important asset, careful consideration should |
| visible light are not recommended for pilots due to | | | | be used when selecting an appropriate pair for flying. |
| the possibility of reduced visual acuity which could | | | | Since 1982, Randolph Engineering has been standard |
| result in difficulty seeing the flight instruments, | | | | issue for U.S. military pilots. Not only are their |
| written checklists and data inside the cockpit. | | | | sunglasses made in the USA, but quality of materials |
| While polarized lenses are very popular, they are not | | | | and the precision of manufacturing the Randolph |
| recommended for use in the aviation environment. | | | | Aviator, their flagship product, actually surpass the |
| While they are useful for blocking reflected light from | | | | exacting standards of the military. So when NASA |
| horizontal surfaces such as water or snow, | | | | Astronauts lift off the launch pad and head for outer |
| polarization can reduce or eliminate the visibility of | | | | space, Randolph is right there with them. When |
| flight instruments that incorporate anti-glare filters like | | | | America's Top Gun Pilots step into the cockpit of a |
| the new glass cockpit environments. These polarized | | | | sleek jet fighter or the magnificent Stealth Bomber, |
| lenses may also interfere with visibility through an | | | | Randolph is the priceless pair of sunglasses that helps |
| aircraft windscreen by enhancing striations in | | | | those pilots safely navigate the skies. |
| laminated glass and mask the sparkle of light | | | | You can find the internet's best selection of Randolph |
| reflected off of another aircraft's fuselage or wings, | | | | Aviator sunglasses at All Things Aviation. |