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The significance of stripes on pilot uniforms

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The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
The significance of stripes on pilot uniforms
Policy
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Sumit Singh Editorial Lead | Simple Flying

Pilot uniforms have stripes representing their experience and rank, with more bars signifying a higher rank. In the late 1930s, Pan Am introduced naval-style uniforms for its crew, setting a trend for other airlines. Uniforms for pilots have changed very little since then and follow similar standards across airlines.

Before the 1930s, piloting an aircraft barely resembled what the job entails today. The task was daring and adventurous, requiring pilots to be exposed to the elements for hours. With open-air cockpits, pilots wore attire that allowed them to remain warm in frigid conditions. Traditional aviators are associated with sheepskin leather, bomber jackets, boots, gloves, scarves, helmets, and goggles.

When Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) introduced its Clipper Flying Boat Service in the late 1930s, the company decided that the plane's crew should be dressed in naval attire. This was an apt choice as the Boeing flying boats competed with transatlantic liners like the Normandie and the Queen Mary.

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"Pan Am's original pilot's uniforms were navy blue double-breasted jackets with ranks on the sleeve cuffs and hats," said one source. Other airlines soon followed Pan Am's lead and replicated these uniforms.

While today’s airline uniforms set companies apart from each other, very little has changed since Pan Am’s original design except during periods such as the pandemic when masks became a requirement. Since the 17th century, military uniforms have incorporated badges or stripes to signify a person's rank and standing. Pilots' uniforms do similarly; more bars indicate greater experience.

Airlines usually follow standard uniform guidelines regarding ranks:

- **Cadet/Trainee Pilot**: One stripe.

- **Second Officer/Flight Engineer**: Two stripes.

- **First Officer**: Three stripes.

- **Senior First Officer**: Three stripes but with over 1,500 flying hours or additional requirements such as being "command ready."

- **Captain**: Four stripes.

- **Training Captain**: Also four stripes but includes training responsibilities.

According to UK news outlet The Standard, training captains play a unique role in pilot recruitment and professional development across an airline's entire staffing network.

Would you like to share more details about pilot (or cabin crew) uniforms? Let us know in the comments section.

Organizations Included in this History
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