Overhead Eights

[Perry Rose]

When I attempt an overhead eight the sun is always in one of the loops and I can't see the plane. What eyewear is best in this case.? I figure maybe outfielder flip-up sunshades? My welding helmet may scare people.
Perry Rose

[Paul Taylor]

Perry,
What I do is wear sunglasses AND I have a pair of the sunglasses that people put over there reg. glasses. I put them on top of my ball cap, and if needed. So I have two pair of sun glasses on if needed. I got them at Wal-Mart for about $15.
Hope this helps.

Work for me.
Paul

[Allen Brickhaus]

I have used clip on sunglasses which clip to the regular sun glasses helps.  Flip them up for less bright days.  I always attempt to not look directly at the sun and use peripheral vision and not look directly toward the sun.

Allen Brickhaus

[RC Storick]

I use #5 gas welding glasses from Snap-on $15.00. You can look into the brightest of sunlight.

[Howard Rush]

I fly them in the Northwest, where the skies are cloudy all day.

[Bill Griffith]

I broke down and bought a pair of the Zurich sun glasses, http://www.zurichsunglasses.com/Products/products.html.  They are a little spendy but they work great.

Bill

[Jim Thomerson]

I've gotten stiff enough that I can't see the overhead 8's anyway, so I have no problem with the sun.

[Jim Morris]

If the sun is overhead or close, I use it as a gauge for the intersection. Dont fly through it,just close next to it.

[Bill Little]

I've gotten stiff enough that I can't see the overhead 8's anyway, so I have no problem with the sun.

Hi Jim,

I am dealing with a very similar problem!   The top of the wingover and the Overhead eights give me the most trouble.  I had surgery on my neck years ago, and it is difficult (depending on the day!) to be able to see directly over my head.

Anyone out there with a solution?? !! 

Bill <><

[Ron King]

Anyone out there with a solution?? !!

Bill,

It's simple: Just close your eyes and don't worry - gravity will bring the plane down soon enough. 

Actually, I thought Perry's welding helmet was a great idea. My C4, C5, and C6 were fused a few years ago, so I have to step around to do the Overhead Eight. I'm envious of guys like Dave Fitzgerald who can just plant their feet and bend over backwards.

Ron

[john e. holliday]

What is overhead,  the center of the pilot or the center of the circle?  I have notice several people move around while doing overhead eights.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[Andrew Borgogna]

I also have a pair of Zurich glasses and use them but lately I have been using clip-ons and they seem to work OK.  Regarding the overhead, the more I practice the more I realize how bad I do it.  Yesterday my hat created a blind spot in part of the overhead, next flight I turned it around so the bill face backwards.  Then the sun became a bigger problem, can't win for loosing.
Andy

[Jim Kraft]

I use Zurich sun glasses, and bend over backwards while turning my head side to side to see the overheads. The bill on the cap does not get in the way. Of course, I won't be 67 for a couple of months yet.

[Howard Rush]

"If the sun is overhead or close, I use it as a gauge for the intersection. Dont fly through it,just close next to it. "

Careful, you know what happened to Icarus.

[SteveMoon]

Zurich sunglasses. They work great.    Steve

[Dennis Vander Kuur]

Just fly by moon light like Sparky does 
DennisV

[Leo Mehl]

Aw just leave it out of the pattern, It makes it easier for  people to beat you. I use Glacier Glasses that I get from REI. Another thing that works quit well is closing one eye as you go by the sun and then opening it again as you are past it. If none of this works the first Idea is the best. Only fly it on cloudy days.