What do the Stripes on Pilot Uniforms Mean?

A pilot's uniform stands out as a mark of professionalism in the airline industry.  A pilot must study, learn how to fly and earn epaulets and stripes, symbols of experience, and different certification levels. Both flight students and commercial airline pilots wear a traditional ensemble that identifies them as flyers. 

Basic overview of pilot's uniform

Before the 1930s, aviators wore brown leather bombing jackets, khaki pants, boots, silk scarves, gloves, and other flying gear– a generation of flyers clad in military-like apparel. These layers of clothing were to help the pilots brace themselves against harsh weather conditions, and they operated in open, unheated cockpits.

However, a then well-known US international carrier, Pan American Airlines, discarded the 1930's aviator look. They introduced the flying boat's series known as "Clippers." These aircraft were equipped to land and take off from water surfaces, even carrying passengers and cargo. 

Pan American Airlines scrapped the military-inspired pilot attire and instead adopted a Navy-style uniform. The navy-blue double-breasted jacket was born with its sleeve's cuffs, distinctive rank insignia, and fashionable cap. Pan Am's changes led to the airline's growth and expansion, such that other airlines imitated these improvements. 

Pan Am's navy-style pilot uniform maintains its look with minor changes. The pilot retains the dark pants, single or double-breasted jacket, white shirt, tie, epaulets, and a cap. However, for branding purposes, airlines have different styles and colors.

Epaulets and stripes 

In the 17th Century, military personnel wore epaulets, which were ornamental badges. Similarly, a pilot will adorn these epaulets on his shoulder as part of the uniform. You will notice a series of bars or stripes on the pilot's epaulets. These represent the aviator's level of experience as well as rank. If you take a closer look, you can count two, three, or four stripes on the flyers' shoulders. But this is also dependent on the airline in question. 

Flight engineers and second officers wear two stripes, first officers wear three stripes, and a captain will usually have four stripes.

Understand the Aero guard Pilot Uniform

At Aero guard level, students dress in white buttoned shirts, black ties, black pants, and black shoes, with a name tag on a badge. Instructor pilots dress in the same style, but they wear flight wings. Like airlines, pilots wear epaulets on the shoulder to identify the level of accomplishment in their flight training.

Furthermore:

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    • Beginner student pilots training for their first ranking don't wear epaulets.

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    • Student pilots who succeed in earning their Private Pilot Certificate wear black epaulets with no bars.

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    • Student pilots successful in attaining Instrument Rating wear black epaulets with one bar.

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    • Student pilots who succeed in earning their Commercial Pilot Certificate wear black epaulets with two bars.

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    • Student pilots who succeed in earning a Certified Flight Instructor Certificate wear black epaulets with three bars.

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    • Those who wear black epaulets with four bars are management Stage Check Instructors and Standardization Staff.

The uniforms, epaulets, and stripes represent the professional pilot industry. Next time you spot one of these pilots, you will identify their rank and level of experience.

If you are looking for pilot uniforms, look no further. Fallon Pilot shop offers a variety of pilot uniforms. If you have any questions or need help with finding the right pilot uniform, contact us today!