The idea of flight school uniforms is one to which I gave a good deal of consideration three years ago, when I was writing my business plan. Though I'm not a big fan of epaulets, shoulder boards, and big fancy watches, I do believe that a formal uniform of some sort does project an image of formality, and professionalism, to which most students respond in kind.Jack Tyler wrote:There are many flight schools here in Florida which mandate a full commercial flight uniform from day one (blue slacks, white collar shirt, shoulder boards denoting progress in their ratings). Flight instructors, ditto. FBO meaintenance techs at most of the airports I visit wear a work uniform of some kind.
When I wrote my company's Policy Manual, I mapped out five separate company uniforms:
- Flight instructor summer uniform -- short sleeved light blue golf shirt with logo embroidered above the pocket; solid colored shorts.
Flight instructor winter uniform -- long sleeved blue denim shirt with logo embroidered above the pocket; solid colored slacks.
Flight instructor spring/fall uniform -- short sleeved light blue golf shirt with logo embroidered above the pocket; solid colored slacks.
Maintenance Department summer uniform -- short sleeved light gray t-shirt with logo silk-screened on chest, blue denim jeans.
Maintenance Department winter uniform -- long sleeved blue denim shirt with logo embroidered above the pocket; blue denim jeans.
May seem overly formal, but one side benefit is that flight school employees are conspicuous, thus easy to locate. I believe this formality also makes the students take their training just a bit more seriously.