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A flight suit is a full body garment, worn while flying a powered aircraft such as military airplanes and helicopters. These suits are generally made to keep the wearer warm, as well as being practical, and durable (including fire retardant). Its appearance is usually similar to a jumpsuit. A military flight suit may also show rank insignia.

Also a flight suit is a flight guiding and supporting clothing for basejumpers, who are capable to steer the direction of their fall more precise. Example is visible on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nwTFMH7Xoo

Contents 1 History 2 Current Standards 3 Space flight 3.1 Colors 4 See also 5 External links

As aviation developed, the need for warm clothing quickly became apparent. Various types of flight jackets and pants coverings were popular and, during World War II, leather two-piece outfits were common among pilots. Electrically-heated suits were introduced for patrol and bomber crews.

The need for short-period fireproofness was also demonstrated early during that war. So developed the need to fireproof helmets, goggles, masks, gloves and footwear. The footwear was also modified to allow the wearer to cut it about to, more closely, appear like civilian footwear in the country where the crew member was likely to be shot down.

Flak jackets were also developed that gave the wearer some protection, in bombers, from flying shrapnel.

With the era of jet-flight and improved focus on safety, however, fully fire-retardant and warmer materials were required. It was also simpler to make a one-piece suit when it would potentially have to fit over existing clothing or various types of under-garment.

Also with the coming of jet flight came the development, in Canada, of the G-suit a special kind of flight suit (worn alone or in combination with a traditional flight suit) that protected the wearer from the physical stress of acceleration.

In the 1950s and 1960s even more specialized suits needed to be developed for high-altitude and space flight. These would include full pressurization, and would be the pre-cursor to today's space suits.

The current flightsuit that is standard for most Air Forces is made of Nomex a fabric made from a spun aramid. The flame retardant capabilities of this material make it ideal for protecting aviators in case of a fire. The suit is often green in color, but color, style, and cut vary greatly from country to country.

Space flight suits are made of a fire-retardant material, and are combined with a G-suit and during all or part of the flight, a fully pressurized space suit.

Astronauts use several colors of flight suit. NASA crews, for example, wear blue flight suits as a sort of functional dress uniform during a mission. The orange suits that they wear when they launch and land are that color in order to help with emergency recovery; white suits are worn during space walks to control temperature.

• Military rank
• Air force

• A World War II pilot shown in leather, two-piece flight suit.