The surprising reason why pilots don’t have beards
When walking through an airport before you board a flight, it's very common to pass a pilot or two walking around the terminals.
But there’s one thing you may not have noticed that unites the male pilots, and it's not just their clean cut uniforms.
While trendy facial hair is very common amongst men, it seems that pilots are swapping the beards and moustaches for a more clean cut look.
And there is one key reason for the sleek look: safety.
It turns out sporting a beard could lead to issues with using oxygen masks, with the hair preventing a seal from forming.
A study in 1987 titled The Influence of Beards on Oxygen Mask Efficiency outlined how facial hair could impede the efficiency of masks, with pilots still adhering to the procedure.
"A Department of Navy study reported an average inboard leakage of 16 to 67 percent for military-type crew oxygen masks when tested with subjects wearing beards to altitudes of 18,000 feet," the report noted.
"The data resulting from these tests indicated that decrement in performance does occur when facial hair is present along the sealing surface of crew oxygen masks."
The Civil Aviation Authority in New Zealand told Stuff Travel that there are no "explicit written rules specifically addressing pilot dress codes in its regulatory framework".
"The focus of the CAA rules is primarily on operational, technical, and safety requirements for aviation activities," said a spokesperson.
"However, individual airlines may have their own internal policies and standards regarding pilot dress codes. These policies ensure a professional appearance and may be part of broader company procedures and safety protocols."
Air New Zealand's head of flight operations, Captain Hugh Pearce, said the airline allows moustaches and goatees, "but not full beards".
"This is a safety-driven policy to ensure the best fit and most effective use of an oxygen mask if deployed, and is also recommended practice from mask manufacturers.
"The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority and it is of utmost importance that our pilots are equipped to act in the unlikely event of an emergency."
Jetstar goes one step further, with goatees also getting the snip: "For safety reasons our pilots don't have beards or goatees. This is to ensure the best possible seal on quick donning oxygen masks."
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