Many faithful readers of General Aviation News know that this writer has spent a large part of his 75 years in the air and on the water. Here’s a safety hint based on that experience: Don’t wear polarized sun glasses.
Why not?
Polarization can mask a glint from something in the air, in the water or on the ground that may need your attention. In the air, particularly, polarized sun glasses can hinder see-and-avoid.
I agree, I have been flying the G1000 the past couple of weeks and I cannot see the screens well with polarized glasses on.
I whole-heartedly agree! Although I’m not float rated, years ago I realized that pulling water-skiers with sun glasses on was not a great idea, and that the absolute worst ones to wear were my high buck polarized ones. They’re great for fishing and I love the way they enhance colors, but operating machinery where split second decisions are made solely on the basis of vision is not the time to have them on. You have to be able to see EVERYTHING, including glare, etc.
I agree and remember the first time I did wear them. We were taking off from Sun Valley Airport in Bullhead City and heading to Phoenix. I couldn’t get the Loran to work and after fiddling with it and leaving it alone my buddy, another pilot, asked me if that was the heading I really wanted. What heading? I asked, the screen was blank. When I took off my glasses I could see the screen, but with them on, the screen was blank. It was the last time I used them.
Jim