But what do I think?
A flying suit is not a compulsory item, however, trying to fly a flexwing microlight (or some three axis machines) in the UK will see you feeling very cold, very tired and wishing you were on the ground. You have not paid for lessons and bought a machine so that you can sit on the ground..have you? The answer I am looking for here, is NO. Therefore you WILL need a good flying suit. Flying suits come from a variety of suppliers, in a variety of styles and a variety of prices. I had always considered that OZEE suits were at the top end of the price range and that other suits at the budget end were MUCH cheaper and did about the same thing. I don't know where I got this idea, how wrong could I be? .. DOH!
I am reliably informed that the EXEAT flying suit from OZEE is top of the range stuff, I expected it to cost around double the price of a 'cheap' suit, in fact it retails for around £150, which is only £20 more than the budget suit. OK, you say that money is tight, is it worth the extra £20. I have an EXEAT suit to test and will share with you my findings, first impressions, medium term and long term reviews.
First Impressions.
Let me start by saying something about the budget suit I will compare it against, It is a reasonable suit, not very stylish, It has a finish that looks home made and putting it on in wet or dirty conditions ensures that the piece that fastens up to your neck gets wet or dirty as you try to fasten the legs (unless you have three hands). It does keep you warm but a balaclava to protect the neck is essential on really cold days.
The EXEAT suit looks the business, it has a fabric appearance and all the seams seem very put together. It has a quilted lining and a high neck that is lined on the inside with a material that feels really comfortable against the neck, you may not need that balaclava with this suit. Putting the suit on is easy, shoes on or off need not matter, the legs zip up from the bottom to allow the chunkiest boots through. The suit itself has a zip from waist to neck and this is backed up by press studs. Put a cheap suit on and leave something in your jeans pockets, have to undo zips a fair way to get the item, the EXEAT has zips placed on both sides that allow easy access to the trouser pockets. The suit itself has two pockets of its own at the hips and a further two on the chest, handy to stow the phone and sunglasses. The wrists are neatly sealed with an elasticated cuff.
Two flights now in cold conditions and already I am of the opinion that the extra £20 is money well spent, looked after, a flying suit can last you years, I would rather have a nice looking AND practical suit for years than just a practical suit for the same amount of time. I shall be passing this suit around the clubhouse to see if everyone agrees with me, I fully expect they will. Do yourself a favour, get an EXEAT ! (BTW, I wrote this BEFORE I read the offical line above from OZEE, Looks like I confirm all they have said !)
Medium Term Review. July 2002
Early impressions have NOT CHANGED, this suit is the business. A large number of people have now tried this suit and without exception proclaim it as the most comfortable suit they have ever worn. A mishap with a hot drink gave us a good excuse to wash it, it came up as good as new, the stitching remins in place and all in all it looks like it has never been worn. Things are looking good with this suit.
Long Term Review. August 2003
I have worn this suit on so many occasions over this extended review period. Others have worn the suit, it has had coffee spilt on it, it has had oil and petrol stains on it, yet today, after a short trip through the washing machine, you would think that I had just bought it. This is one very well designed and manufactured suit. No matter how cold it has been, this suit comfortably zips up an protects the wearer from the elements. Not only is this suit extremely functional, it also looks the business. You can feel happy to leave this suit on as you wander around your destination, you do not need tostrip it off and leave it on your aircraft for fear of looking like a plonker in an oversized babygrow. There has been lots of discussion on the internet lately about the best suit for flying in. Those who have the one suit will proclaim it the best, I have more than one suit, so let me tell you which I much prefer to wear, for all sorts of reasons - The EXEAT!
Reviewed by Leigh Caudwell |
