# >> College & Higher Education >> Online Degrees

How to Cut and Dye Shirt Tails

The cutting of shirt tails has long been a tradition of American aviation schools. The tradition began as instructors would sit behind their students on the aircraft, tugging on their shirt tails to get the student's attention. After the student completed their first solo flight, the shirt tails were torn off and pinned to the school's wall. This signified that the student no longer needed an instructor sitting behind them, tugging on the shirt tails. This tradition is still carried out today. Although dyeing the shirt tails is not necessary for most schools' tradition, there are many students who like to dye their shirts first before their first solo flight.

4 oz. fabric acid dye
Scissors
Permanent marker

Instructions

- 1
  Fill up your washing machine with hot water. Add 4 oz. (half a bottle) of liquid fabric acid dye to the hot water.
- 2
  Soak the shirt that you will be wearing on your solo flight in hot water. Place the shirt into the washing machine.
- 3
  Allow the shirt to dye for the entire length of the washing machine cycle.
- 4
  Remove the shirt from the washing machine when the cycle is complete. Rinse the shirt under cool water to remove any excess dye and to prevent the shirt from bleeding. Dry the shirt as normal.
- 5
  Wear the shirt during your first solo flight.
- 6
  Cut the shirt tails, or the entire back of the shirt, with a sharp pair scissors. Typically, this part of the tradition is done by either your instructor or the other students in your program.
- 7
  Write your name and the date of your solo flight on the shirt in permanent marker. Pin the shirt on the wall where the other shirt tails are located.

Characteristics of an Online Learner

Online Master's Degrees in Human Development