When you are in the seat, you have your gear on. If you are out of the seat, and 2 is set, no gear. The studs on that flight were running a metric shit-ton of drills, so that is my guess as to why they were dressed to the nines. "Going below 1000, LPU's required" is the standard over water. That and when Condition 5 is set...
3710.7 quote:
Inflatable life preservers shall be worn during all
flights originating from or terminating on ships or
landing platforms. Life preservers shall be readily
available when operating from aerodromes in the
vicinity of coastal waters or when operating from
inland aerodromes where takeoff, route of flight,
or approach path is over water. Occupants of
ejection seat aircraft shall wear the appropriate life
preserver at all times. Life preservers shall be
worn when mission requirements dictate operation
over water below 1,000 feet exclusive of
normal departures or approaches.
Brett, I think that is the first time I've seen you be accused of being a gentleman...at least he didn't call you "Shipmate"...