Hi DocBoink et al, I finally dug out that old photo of my instructor and me in a T-17 Supporter. It is not possible to see it from the picture but it was taken at 500 feet on downwind to our former training base Avnoe. Helmets are SPH-3B and the only decoration is the pilot's abbreviated name on the visor housing. We use a system where pilots get a three-letter "handle" or pilot's name constructed from the letters of his real name. My instructor's name was Teddy Dansted and his pilot's name "NAD". Air traffic controller students had two-letter and officers cadets four-letter handles. This is why my helmet reads "SE" (Bluelight 14 was assigned later when I became a fighter controller. It is actually the callsign of the commanding officer at Control & Reporting Squadron 601 in Skagen). Officers do not fly any more so the four-letter handles have dissappeared again but pilots use them and keep them throughout their service life. It happens, though, that a new pilot is assigned to a squadron where a more experienced pilot has the same pilot's name. Then the newcomer must change. Air Traffic Controllers use their two-letter name to sign in logs and flight strips and they are assigned centrally, assuring that there is no overlap. The same should be the case with the pilots but from time to time the system slips. The blue strap around my neck has nothing to do with flight gear. It is my camera neckstrap. Cheers, Bluelight 14
