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Do pilots actually use pilot watches?

What the ads are selling is so-called pilot watches, which typically feature a black dial and bold, white and luminescent hands. There's real history behind these watches. But as it turns out, most airline pilots don't wear pilot watches at all.



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The answer is mostly no. Indeed, some professional pilots don't wear watches at all. It comes down to personal preference. Times have changed, said Mark Vanhoenacker, British Airways 787 pilot and author of Skyfaring and How to Land a Plane.

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Pilots and navigators wore aviation watches not just as timepieces but also to complement and verify onboard instruments in the determination of flight time and position. To this day pilot watches represent these panel gauges.

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Several pilots set records while wearing an Oyster. Others used a Rolex watch as an on-board chronometer. Since 2022, the watch has a resolutely professional appearance, its case sporting straight sides and a winding crown guard.

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Use of visual entertainment such as movies, television programs, video games, etc., is not allowed for a flight crew as they are required to maintain visual scanning outside the aircraft, if able, for situational awareness and collision avoidance.

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Most airlines have a similar policy when it comes to tattoos. They allow pilot tattoos as long as they are not visible while on duty and do not contain any offensive content. This means that any tattoos on the hands, neck, or face must be covered up while on duty.

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The 12 o'clock triangular index, a luminous equilateral upright triangle with two dots on either side, enables a pilot to quickly figure out the 12 o'clock indication in relation to the upright orientation of the dial, and so read the time at a glance, both during the day and at night.

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Yes, being a pilot is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% job growth for airline and commercial pilots over the next ten years. This is faster than the average growth for all occupations.

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As the nose of the plane forces air aside, it causes loud turbulence. That, combined with the noise of the engines, can cause severe noise that injures the pilot's ears. Wearing a headset, especially noise-reduction headsets, can help to reduce the intensity of the sound and prevent hearing loss.

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