Aven Flight Suit
Flight suits are a common type of apparel among the winged-posthuman aven species, serving many functions which enhance their natural flying abilities.
They are made of weather-resistant material, with varying thicknesses of insulation depending on designed environmental conditions—some are intended for fair weather, others for cold climates, still others are reflective for hot deserts, etc. Most modern suits have built-in warming and cooling elements for further temperature control.
Beyond these, a common accessory is a storage pouch strapped to the chest and stomach area, to enable the transportation of everyday objects like computer tablets, money, and snacks. A small water container can also be worn in a backpack for longer trips. In any case, the user must take care not to overload themselves—even with their optimiziations, avens are already quite large for Terran flyers and carrying too much extra weight will risk an increased stall speed which makes flight difficult (or even dangerous), if they can get airborne at all.
Another useful add-on is some form of propulsion device to avoid the labor of using one's own wingpower all the time, especially for takeoffs and landings. In the old days this was compressed-gas rocket nozzles on the ankles for takeoff assists and a deployable propellor for cruising, now repulsor-boots are more common. A good pair of these can permit hovering about a dozen feet off the ground, and provides acceleration up to takeoff speed with minimal physical effort. These thrusters are powered by superconducting coils installed in the boots, back, or some other convenient place, and recharge off photoelectric fabric in the flight suit while the user is coasting.
Navigation lights were made mandatory for night-time flying long ago, to prevent collisions, and are usually little lighting stripes implanted in one or more of the primary feathers on each wing, and set to activate when it is opened. They are sometimes accompanied by a flashing strobe attached to the back of the goggle strap. A red navigation light goes on the left-hand wing, and a green one on the right.
Design
Flight suits usually come in one- or two-piece designs, full-body outfits with long sleeves and pants. Built for both protection and comfort, they are meant to shield from wind, adverse weather, and temperatures while being light and convenient enough for everyday wear. Baggy components are avoided, which would create excess drag, but beyond this there is a wide variety of color schemes available.They are made of weather-resistant material, with varying thicknesses of insulation depending on designed environmental conditions—some are intended for fair weather, others for cold climates, still others are reflective for hot deserts, etc. Most modern suits have built-in warming and cooling elements for further temperature control.
Accessories
More of a requirement than an optional add-on are a pair of flying goggles and a mask to protect the face, sometimes combined into one piece. The goggles typically feature displays showing things like altitude, speed, sink/climb rate, a horizon indicator, a map, and an air-mass visualizer for detecting thermals, wind shear, downdrafts, etc. Alternatively, instruments can be worn on the arm in a manner similar to wristwatches. In inclement or cold weather, a cap can be worn to protect the hair.Beyond these, a common accessory is a storage pouch strapped to the chest and stomach area, to enable the transportation of everyday objects like computer tablets, money, and snacks. A small water container can also be worn in a backpack for longer trips. In any case, the user must take care not to overload themselves—even with their optimiziations, avens are already quite large for Terran flyers and carrying too much extra weight will risk an increased stall speed which makes flight difficult (or even dangerous), if they can get airborne at all.
Another useful add-on is some form of propulsion device to avoid the labor of using one's own wingpower all the time, especially for takeoffs and landings. In the old days this was compressed-gas rocket nozzles on the ankles for takeoff assists and a deployable propellor for cruising, now repulsor-boots are more common. A good pair of these can permit hovering about a dozen feet off the ground, and provides acceleration up to takeoff speed with minimal physical effort. These thrusters are powered by superconducting coils installed in the boots, back, or some other convenient place, and recharge off photoelectric fabric in the flight suit while the user is coasting.
Navigation lights were made mandatory for night-time flying long ago, to prevent collisions, and are usually little lighting stripes implanted in one or more of the primary feathers on each wing, and set to activate when it is opened. They are sometimes accompanied by a flashing strobe attached to the back of the goggle strap. A red navigation light goes on the left-hand wing, and a green one on the right.
by /u/Morffaeus
An aven wearing his flight suit. Note red and green navigation lights affixed to feathers.
Great article! I love how you mix basic flying suits with high tech, and how you use propellers to get beyond the weight limit. It's interesting that in the most extreme version of the costume, the flight is mostly done by the propellers and that the wing are just there to stir :D I like the idea of the googles and mask. Does the mask do anything beyond protecting from wind and flying insect or is it just a type of cloth mask? I absolutely love the idea of your people using devices to assist them with take off :D And the superconducting coils that charge on their own sounds like a great idea. My only remark is that all of the thing your people are transporting seems like they would all be rather heavy. Though that may be one of the main reason devices to help with the take off have become necessary… " high-altitude suits are less of an outfit and more of a wearable airplane," I love this idea XD " At this point all propulsion is provided by engines, the wings being reserved for lift and steering." Reading this, I can admit that the laptop and water bottles don't seem that heavy now XD I like that you're using propulsion engines to circumvent the weight limit. My only remark is that you haven't really talked about the material of the flight suit. I'm guessing this would be made with wool or of some artificial fibres, so that it's best able to provide all the protections required.