The TIE pilot flight suit[1] was the flight suit worn by TIE fighter pilots of the Galactic Empire. The suits used self-contained life support systems as TIE fighters were not pressurized.
Description[]
Most pilots of the Imperial Navy wore the standard black TIE pilot flight suit, which was pressurized and made of energy-shielded fabric.[1][2] Pilots also wore a reinforced, vacuum-sealed helmet with polarized lenses and ship-linked displays and communication equipment.[3][1] Chest armor, an emergency atmospheric unit and a life support pack were worn on top of the suit, while positive-gravity pressure boots and insulated gauntlets covered the wearer's feet and hands.[1][4]
Imperial pilot gear was not usually adorned with markings. The elite pilot Baron Valen Rudor had red markings on his helmet and flight suit while stripes and other types of markings were awarded to some Imperial pilots.[5][6] Exceptional Cardia Academy cadets could have earned yellow stripes on their gear.[6] Similarly, elite Imperial pilots like Captain Vult Skerris who taught at the Skystrike or Cardia academies used yellow markings.[6][5] Trainees at Skystrike Academy wore the academy's emblem on their helmets in addition to the Imperial crest.[7]
Variant forms[]
Specialized flight suits[]
Han Solo in a cadet flight suit and helmet
The standard black flight suit of Imperial Navy pilots was supplemented by various other suits and helmets that could be granted to exceptional pilots or assigned for specialized roles. Imperial naval cadets sometimes wore open-faced helmets similar to those worn by clone ARC-170 pilots and used a different chest box.[6][8] Cardia Academy trainees who participated in advanced reconnaissance training wore a similar black, white and blue helmet, while pilots flying with the 224th Armored Division of the Imperial Army wore a grey and black version and could be referred to as a “trench jockey.”[6]
TIE pilots with exceptional survival records may have been permitted to wear a technical flight suit and helmet. This flight suit was grey, used a different helmet, gloves, boots and chest box, and had additional equipment on the chest.[6]
Behind the scenes[]
TIE pilot flight suits first appeared in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.[9]
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
LEGO Star Wars: Microfighters — "Microfighter Obstacle Course"- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "A Hero Discovered"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Crossing Paths"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Return of the Kyber Saber"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Rowan's Secret Adventure"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Zander Freemaker, Superstar Pilot Guy!"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "A New Home"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Flight of the Arrowhead"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "A Perilous Rescue"
- "The Falcon Gambit!" — LEGO Life Magazine July/August 2018
- LEGO Star Wars: All-Stars — "The Chase with Han"
- "Vader Shows His Skills" — LEGO Star Wars 49
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- "Ice Chase" — LEGO Star Wars 115
- "The Grand Inquisitor's Challenge" — LEGO Star Wars 117
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 TIE Fighter Owners' Workshop Manual
- ↑ Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels: The Visual Guide
- ↑ Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- ↑ 5.0 5.1
Star Wars Rebels — "Empire Day"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Star Wars: Squadrons
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels — "The Antilles Extraction"
- ↑ Solo: A Star Wars Story
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope