A better view

Many view-limiting devices have been made over the decades and none are perfect. Elliot Pearlman thought there had to be a better way to combine simplicity and effectiveness in a view-limiting device and invented the Horizon Halo.

The Horizon Halo is a carefully shaped piece of durable plastic that includes a channel into which the bill of most baseball caps will slide. (Caps with unusually thick bills may not fit into the Horizon Halo’s channel.) It takes about 5 seconds to attach to your baseball cap and its four-ounce weight is barely noticeable. The front and sides of the Horizon Halo extend about two inches below the level of the baseball cap bill, obscuring the horizon and most outside references. The top of the black-colored Horizon Halo has a glossy coating that reflects sunlight to keep your face cool, while the bottom has a matte coating to eliminate reflections in the plastic above your eyes. When you need to look outside—perhaps simulating breaking out of the clouds on an instrument approach—you can easily tip your hat up an inch or two to gain full outside visibility. Simple and effective, and clever.It takes about 5 seconds to attach to your baseball cap and its four-ounce weight is barely noticable.

My favorite feature is that the design enables you to wear sunglasses or vision-correcting glasses while the Horizon Halo is in place. That’s a big help when it’s sunny outside or you need to read small print on approach plates.

The Horizon Halo costs about $35—a bit pricier than other options—and can be purchased through AOPA strategic partners Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. and Sporty’s Pilot Shop.

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