A person wearing Method Seven Pilot Patriot FLT18 sunglasses for pilots.

PATRIOT SKY9

Pilot Sunglasses

$275.00

Description plus minus

The world leader in visual performance, SKY mineral glass lenses define the pinnacle of contrast and clarity. The SKY9™ has a VLT of 9%, giving these pilot sunglasses the darkest lenses on the market and suitable for extremely bright conditions.

Lens Technology

Method Seven’s lens technology delivers cutting-edge non-polarized glare reduction, allowing for clear, unrestricted vision without the drawbacks of polarized lenses. Using advanced notch filtering technology, Method Seven sets a new standard for optical performance and protection. Notch filtering allows for enhanced color accuracy, contrast, and clarity, providing a sharp and vibrant visual experience. Method Seven lenses provide complete UV protection and are designed to maintain clarity without distorting electronic displays or aircraft windows.

SKY Lens Technology plus minus

SKY lenses are Method Seven’s flagship pilot lenses, crafted from premium German glass with advanced notch filtering. These lenses incorporate eleven rare earth elements, including neodymium, molecularly bonded within a crystalline structure. Thirteen proprietary coatings block harmful UV rays and infrared heat, ensuring unparalleled color and clarity. For top-notch performance, nothing beats mineral glass for clarity and scratch resistance, and SKY lenses excel in light filtering tailored specifically for pilots' needs.

Crafted with precision across the globe: cast in Germany, polished in Italy, chemically hardened in China, thin-film coated, and set in titanium frames in Japan. Then, shipped to California for quality control before arriving at your hangar. The most complex and unique lens, exclusively for the complex conditions experienced by pilots.

9% Visible Light Transmission plus minus

VLT measures the average light passing through a lens. The lower the number, the less light gets through (darker). Since it's an average, not all VLT 9 lenses are the same. 9 is so dark it's reserved for glacier goggles. But with M7 notch filtering, our SKY 9 lens lets the light you need for instruments and ipads come through, while extremely darkening the peak energy of the sun. We designed this lens for a commercial pilot who flew west, chasing the sunset, and also needed to look at instruments without taking off his glasses. It worked. Nine is great for super bright conditions, very sensitive eyes or very young eyes. (older eyes need more light; stick with a VLT of 18 or more. Over 65, or working in dark cockpits, try the VLT 30).

Frame Technology

Designed for flexibility, durability, and longevity, Method Seven Pilot eyewear won't break your headset seal, ensuring you never miss a radio call. Timeless style meets endless comfort, without interruption. Developed and tested with real pilots across various professional and general aviation aircraft and cockpit configurations.

The Patriot plus minus

Designed with direct input from the Patriots Jet Team, a civilian formation aerobatic team that includes former Blue Angel and Snowbird pilots, the Patriot was born. When flying L-39 jets in formation, the team needed lightweight eyewear that stays on under high G forces, fits under flight helmets, works with oxygen masks, and provides peripheral protection from light at all angles. Our solution: the Patriot, an aviator engineered for elite performance. Featuring strong, thin, flexible temples compatible with headsets and flight helmets, the Patriot is the pinnacle of aviation eyewear design.

Titanium Frame Technology plus minus

Our titanium frames are hand-tooled by expert craftsmen, ensuring durability for everyday use and flexibility to conform to your head's shape. Titanium is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to corrosion, making these frames a great investment in essential flight gear that will last for years to come.

Method Seven Pilot

Method Seven scientifically develops eyewear in-house and rigorously tests it in the field. Our mission is to unlock the full potential of the greatest flight instrument of all: the human eye. We are committed to enhancing vision, providing unmatched clarity, and ensuring superior protection for all pilots.

Scott "Intake" Kartvedt

The helmet fits, you don't feel them, there's no hotspots. They're not polarized, so you can look inside and outside, even when we're flying into the sun they block out that glare. I have flown with all other brands of glasses in my 27 years as a Navy pilot, as a civilian aerobatic pilot, and as a commercial airline pilot, these are the best pair of glasses I have ever worn.

Scott Kartvedt is a professional pilot and President of the Blue Angel Foundation. He instructs and evaluates for United Airlines in Denver, Colorado, and is the number 5 pilot for the Patriot Jet Team. He also served as a stunt pilot in "Top Gun: Maverick" and was the aviation safety supervisor for "Mission Impossible 8."

Scott's career includes five combat tours, flying with the Blue Angels, and serving as the Navy’s first commanding officer of the only F-35C Stealth Strike Fighter Squadron. Inspired by "Top Gun," Scott pursued aviation after graduating from Pepperdine University, joining the naval aviator program and flying FA/18 Hornets.

Selected for the Blue Angels in 1999, he performed air shows for three seasons. He led VFA-83, earning multiple awards and flew 91 combat missions during five deployments, amassing over 6,300 flight hours and 658 carrier arrested landings.

Scott became an FA-18 instructor, participated in Iraq's "shock and awe" campaign in 2003, and served as Aide de Camp to the U.S. Northern and Pacific Commands. He commanded an FA-18 squadron with two tours in Afghanistan and later ran the Navy’s F-35 program, leading the first stealth fighter squadron. Though he retired in 2013, he joined the Patriots Jet Team, and continues his airshow and aviation career flying in major films.

Overall rating: 4.909091 / 5 from 11 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: [].

Review highlights

Reviews

"Great glasses, but they are prone to collecting fingerprints that are fairly difficult to wipe off. Almost like it’s lacking a slick coating that other glasses have. Some of the tint is also starting to wear off in one spot, but I may have nicked it or brushed it up against something. The fit is excellent though, and the glass is crystal clear with no parralax that I can detect."

Daniel (4/5)

Best aviation sunglasses I have owned so far in my life!

"I absolutely love the darkness and clarity of these lenses - flying in Arizona is no longer arduous, and the color contrast is really awesome. Great for use in the cockpit with full EFIS and EFB."

Mark R. (5/5)

Best sunglasses I have ever

"Best sunglasses I have ever worn for flying. The lenses are amazing and they fit perfectly. I highly recommend Method Seven to any pilot"

Alessandro N. (5/5)

Great sunglasses!

"These are my second pair of method seven glasses. I bought my first a few years ago for driving (I needed non polarized for the HUD), and I loved them. I wanted a second pair, and I can tell that they’ve definitely made optical improvements since my first pair. These glasses significantly enhance contrast, as good as polarized glasses in my opinion. Of course, it’s still easy to see my car’s instrument display and HUD. Also, I really appreciate the mild wrap around more than I thought I would. Great glasses, and I would highly recommend them."

Matt N. (5/5)

My favorite in the cockpit!

"I bought 3 different pilot glasses from Method7: Altitude wrap, Patriot and the Ascent Aviator. All with SKY9 glasses. My conclusion: The Ascent Aviator looks the coolest, but there is a lot of light coming in from the side. I have really sensitive eyes, so I do only wear it if there‘s not much sun. And I would probably not buy it again. Altitude Wrap covers the eyes really well. But the frame is also covering the view in the cockpit a bit, so i use this one in my freetime. Looks good and is really stable. The Patriot is my favorite in the airliner-cockpit. Covers the eyes perfectly and has no frame. I love that one for flying. Is really light and also fits perfectly under the headset."

Moritz F. (5/5)

I love these sunglasses

"I wear them everyday, primarily for driving. The wrap around coverage is spot on....could not work better."

Robert A. (5/5)

SKY9 is the way to go!

"After getting a bit tired of changing my (other brand) polycarbonate sunglasses again (as they damage in time) I decided to try glass sunglasses. The SKY9 is amazing for commercial pilots. I used them the last couple of flights (777) and they do an amazing job! I was worried they would be a bit too dark but they are perfect for any condition. To my surprise they added the hardcover case with it which I wanted to order after testing the glasses. So many thanks! Personally, I wish the glasses were slightly bigger. On top and below there is a bit too much space. In the cockpit it's no problem but when walking on the street sunlight comes from the top."

Peter D. (5/5)

Great shades!

"Great shades!"

Sean D. (5/5)

You’ve found the best.

"I have a handful of excellent sunglasses, my Method 7 Patriots with Sky 9 lenses tops them all. The frames are beefy but surprisingly light. The lenses are astonishingly clear and sharp, both inside and outside the flight deck. They wrap around the face so light from the side is not a non-factor. I actually forget I have them on. So much so, that one flight after sunset my flight instructor asked if I was going to take them off. Totally forgot they were there! Worth every single penny."

John (5/5)

Best eyewear ever!

"Without question, these are the best eyewear I've ever owned. They are clear and comfortable, well made, and when I accidentally chipped one of the lenses, Method Seven replaced them at no charge. I can't imagine every buying another brand."

David C. (5/5)

Q&A