Flying Around the Sun

[Kim Mortimore]

What do y'all do when the dang sun is smack dab where you don't want it during an official flight?

Thanks,
Kim Mortimore

[Mark Scarborough]

PRAY AND TRUST THE FORCE

[john e. holliday]

You need a great pair of sun glasses and a good sense of feel.  With enough practice you can fly the plane by feel when the sun gets you.  DOC Holliday

[Steve Helmick]

That happened Sunday, in Portland, on my 2nd official. It wasn't that windy, so I moved my tricks to the side. I figured the Judges might just appreciate it, too! It was actually a lot like Clovis last October...not quite as hot.

Usually, it's not a big problem, because I have prescription glasses that are tinted, with clip-ons that are tinted and Polarized. With this combo, I can normally stare straight at the sun, but not last Sunday. Darker tinted glasses help a ton.  Sparky says welding glasses, but I got some, and they're green, which is just too weird. If you can find welding glasses that are grey, let me know how to get some!!!   Steve

[Scott B. Riese]

Welding Glasses that are gray.....HUMMMMM

Welding lenses come in many colors. Green, Gray, Black, Gold, Clear.
You can get different shades 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
2 light,12 dark.
YES any welding store or supply can get you the right color. HOWEVER, You need to be fitted to your face.

Welding shades for stunt flying??? Got to think that over some more. I have some gray ones here.#3 shade, I'll try them and let you know Steve.

[Scott B. Riese]

I use the Sun as a point in the sky to aim at during some intersections. I work hard in my flying as not to fly throught the sun. It takes handle time. I do blink if I'm tracking towards the sun. Practice Practice.

[Rudy Taube]

Hi Kim,

Good question. In addition to the other suggestions, you may want to try what full scale pilots do. Close one eye while going through the sun and open it after passing so that you at least have one good eye to see with during your pull out. You should have your other eye recovered by the end of your two laps. This is not perfect, but it helps a lot. 

[RC Storick]

Welding Glasses that are gray.....HUMMMMM

Welding lenses come in many colors. Green, Gray, Black, Gold, Clear.
You can get different shades 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
2 light,12 dark.
YES any welding store or supply can get you the right color. HOWEVER, You need to be fitted to your face.

Welding shades for stunt flying??? Got to think that over some more. I have some gray ones here.#3 shade, I'll try them and let you know Steve.

I use #4 from Snap-on. They are called my look into the sun sunglasses. Many have bought them here after trying mine.

[Randy Powell]

I also ran into this last weekend. Really screwed up a couple of tricks when I realized to late that the track, if I kept on it, would take the plane right through the sun. Instead of just gutting it out (which is what I should have done), I changed the track and messed up the shape. Oh well. It helps to close one eye as you to through the sun. At least you have something when it gets through.

We fly so many contests here against gray skies that when we have a contest that is in the bright sunshine, we are often unprepared. Or at least I am. Hmmm, Scott is right. More practice.

I do get lots of practice moving tricks in the wind and, oh ya, learning to back up out of wake turbulence. That gets plenty of practice.

[Steve Helmick]

I use #4 from Snap-on. They are called my look into the sun sunglasses. Many have bought them here after trying mine.

Robert...PLEASE...what color are the lenses? Will they fit over prescription glasses? The (green) ones I got at the neighborhood (at work) welding supply fit over glasses. But it was like having my head inside a Heineken bottle...a full one. Oooogggh! Rodney wants to try them! For Rod, I have a special deal... Steve

[Scott B. Riese]

http://www.phillips-safety.com/Fitover-Safety-Glasses/Index.htm

[RC Storick]

Robert...PLEASE...what color are the lenses? Will they fit over prescription glasses? The (greed) ones I got at the neighborhood (at work) welding supply fit over glasses. But it was like having my head inside a Heineken bottle...a full one. Oooogggh! Rodney wants to try them! For Rod, I have a special deal... Steve

Mine are smoke. Black really.

[Elwyn Aud]

Here's the type I wear. Got 'em at an industrial supply store. I keep an emergency pair at the clubhouse. I think they were around $10-$15.

[Pinecone]

http://www.zurichsunglasses.com/

Not cheap, but work REALLY well.  I picked up a set at the AMA show.  The both had a set of 300 watt quartz shop lights.  You could look into the light and read things written on the reflectors.

I have since flown with them and they are even better than expected.  I flew a heli right through the sun, and the only time I couldn't see if was when it was right in front of the sun.  And this is with Medium.  He makes them i Light, Medium and Dark.  I use the rose tint, with blue metallic.  The rose tint makes yellows and oranges really pop from the background.

He is also now doing precription lenses with the tint and coating.

[Jim Pollock]

I use two pair of sun glasses.

a prescription pair and another pair that fits over them.
That does the trick, sun doesn't bother anything!

Jim Pollock   

[Jerry Reider]

I've recently gotten into the habit of closing my eyes for a bit right when I go through the sun.  It's a very short time and doesn't affect my flight path at all.  It's a much shorter than the time it takes to recover sight from looking into the sun.