What Are Aviators?
Aviator is one of those words that has taken on several different meanings almost completely divorced from the word's original meaning. This tends to lead to some confusion, even though the meaning of the word is usually obvious when placed in some context. The root of the word comes from the Latin "avis," which means bird.
Other People Are Reading
-
Aviator
-
The most common literal term for the word aviator is used to describe pilots or the person in charge of flying an aircraft. It is more common now simply to use the word "pilot," so aviator usually refers to the pioneers of flight, such as the Wright brothers.
The Aviators
-
This term has come into fashion in recent years as a result of the Martin Scorsese film about Howard Hughes, who designed and flew aeroplanes and was at the forefront of creating viable passenger air travel. In this sense, the term "aviators" no longer simply refers to piloting planes but the expansion of the concept of flight through people like Hughes and Charles Lindbergh.
-
Aviator Sunglasses
-
This is arguably one of the items most associated with the term aviators. The original design of these sunglasses was developed for Ray-Ban and was based on the design of the goggles they were then making for the U.S. Air Force. The lenses are usually reflective and around three times larger than the eye socket. This was to prevent any glare in the pilot's eyes while flying.
Aviator Jacket
-
Like the sunglasses, the aviator jacket was a commercial design used by the Air Force to protect pilots in open-top planes at altitude. The basic design, which has been altered and updated through the years, involves a leather outer jacket with a fur or fleece lining to add extra insulation.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit plane image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
