Im-very-portant Debate - US/UK RelationsFollow

Should Military Pilots be allowed to look like a 1940's movie character?



Take that, colonials!

Did they explain to him that it wasn't necessary to keep the bugs killed by his Spitfire's propeller our of his mouth?

good for him.

In defense of the USAF, it's a good idea to be **** about things that fly in the air. If you make a small mistake, people die.

On the other hand, I believe you're supposed to respect other cultures and their rules when working with them.

I do clearly recall that the USAF regulation handbook did say no handlebar moustaches specifically after saying they must be trimmed and not go below the lip. I remember laughing at this silently in my head as I read it while sitting around in basic waiting to sign paperwork. It's probably one of those things that stick out in your mind.

I think most higher ups would have let it go sooner than later to avoid a fiasco such as these headlines. There is always an *** hole though. I'm reminded of the First Sergeant I had when I was stationed in San Angelo.


Edited, Jun 13th 2008 1:43am by ZelgadisXI

So, less attention to facial hair, more attention to targeting systems?

I'm tellin' ya - wings on peeps could solve ALOT of problems.

in the US military, they would have made him shave it off.

has nothing to do with culture or anything else, its purely a safety issue. facial hair can affect the seal around the nose and mouth of the oxygen mask. commerical airline pilots are not allowed to have facial hair for the same reason. if the loose pressure, the mask either fits securely, or a plane load of people plunges into the ground at over 400 mph.

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If sensibly trimmed, it's not about safety, it's about control.
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it can not extend bewond the corners of a pilots mouth. no facial hair is allowed on the chin. a handle bar? not in this countries military aircraft. here, the only choices he would have faces was shaving it off and flying an aircraft, or growing it as he pleased and flying a desk.

When the designers of flying masks cannot accommodate an airman's flambouyant moustachios, it's time to break out the white flags and let Chavez or Mugabe take over your HQ.