Pens that can fly

[chemgeek]

I've traveled with all of my pens (Sailor, Waterman, Pelikan, Levenger) and they are fine in either a light plane or on a commercial flight. Commercial flights are pressurized to about 8000 feet , and light planes typically fly at about the same altitude, where the air pressure is about 25% less than sea level, more or less. That means any air in your ink reservoir is going to expand by about 1/4 when climbing to altitude. My simple flying rule: Keep your pens nib up until at altitude, then uncap. The feed and fins should be able to accept any extra ink expelled into it by the expanded air (I wouldn't recommend doing this with the nib down). Then you are set to go. I've written with all my pens during cruise flight and on descent (which if anything will drive ink and air back into the ink reservoir). The state of fill really doesn't make much difference if you follow this procedure, but there is certainly less risk of expanding air causing a problem if the ink reservoir is nearly full, and consequently contains a smaller volume of air to expand on the ascent.

 

A pilot FPNer--Cheers.

[bahnstormer]

Hi guys,

 

although you can fly with any fountain pen if you have it empty or full or upright etc etc some pens are specifically MADE to be used in flight without having to attend to the level of ink or anything.

 

was just wondering if there were any apart from the new Duofold and MB Traveller that were specifically made to take on airplanes?

 

cheers

Paolo.

[PaulLeMay]

"I was just a social fountain pen user, not an addict.)" I like that!

[wimg]

Hi guys,

 

although you can fly with any fountain pen if you have it empty or full or upright etc etc some pens are specifically MADE to be used in flight without having to attend to the level of ink or anything.

 

was just wondering if there were any apart from the new Duofold and MB Traveller that were specifically made to take on airplanes?

 

cheers

Paolo.

Hi Paolo,

 

Yes, the Waterman Edson comes to mind. It is guaranteed not to leak in a plane.

 

HTH, warm regards, Wim

[meanwhile]

The Rotring Initial is supposed to have an air pressure compensation system.

[marcwomm]

Good Afternoon.

 

With all the discussion about Safety while flying I heard that it is actually not allowed to take fountain pens onboard any longer.

Is this actually true or is it a hoax? Flying very soon and I am wondering if I should leave the fountain pen actually at home for the few days.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

regards

Marcus

[Dr.Grace]

I flew recently within the U.S. and took one fp (a relatively cheap Esterbrook) in my carry-on bag with no problem. But it may depend on which airports you pass through. If you fly to a potential terrorist target like Washington D.C., there may be National Guardsmen randomly searching carry-on bags, and there's no telling whether they'd just confiscate your pen. I guess you could tell them that you'll just eject your ink into a trash receptacle, but I don't know if they'd allow that.

 

I have no idea what would happen in the UK or Europe.