Can pilots wear polarized sunglasses?

Answers (3)

• Kimberly Y

  06/08/2012

  No. Pilots can't wear polarized sunglasses because the windscreen of the aircrafts is already polarized. If you wear polarized sunglasses, the pilot can't see the sparkle of light that reflects from other objects with shiny surfaces, such as another aircraft. In this case, it could result in traffic accident.

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• walkersville

  06/08/2012

  Pilots shouldn't wear polarized sunglasses when they are in the aviation environment. The windshield of the aircraft has already been polarized to reduce glare, so polarized sunglasses will result in double polarization, which will make the pilots unable to see something that they need to see. So it is dangerous for pilots to wear polarized sunglasses when they are flying.

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• chocolateeeee

  06/08/2012

  Yes, polarized lenses are not recommended for pilots. Although polarized lenses can eliminate reflected glare from a flat surface, when looking through a laminated aircraft windscreen with polarized lenses, it can result in a reduced retinal image. Polarized lenses may also interfere with visibility through an aircraft windscreen by enhancing striations in laminated materials and mask the sparkle of light that reflects off shiny surfaces such as another aircraft’s wing or windscreen, which can reduce the time a pilot has to react in a “see-and-avoid” traffic situation.

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