When pilot Dean Siracusa could not find comfortable sunglasses to wear that would fit under his headset, he opted to create his own eyeware line.

“I fly airplanes,” he said. “Headsets are designed to keep noise out, and regular glasses would cut into my head, create noise leaks, pressure and pain. That had always been an annoyance, and finally it was enough for me to work on a solution.”


Siracusa, an Austin resident, found an eyewear manufacturer to assist in creating the frame style, which uses an aerospace polymer to make the frames thin and light. In 2012 his business, Flying Eyes Eyeware, took off. Outlander, a fulfillment company in Cedar Park, ships the glasses to retailers and customers.


Flying Eyes sunglasses are sold online directly from the company and through other retail websites. Retailers such as pilot shops and motorcycle dealerships sell the glasses in stores across the nation and in Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and South Africa. Opticians and ophthalmologists also sell the product directly.


The glasses can also be purchased at Austin Aerospace LLC, which provides aviation medical exams. Dr. Louis Davenport said he appreciates that Siracusa saw a need, took action and developed a marketable solution. 


“Pilots need something that provides a good feel under their headphones,” Davenport said. “This is a great product. It’s indestructible, stylish, classy and effective.”


The glasses are all prescription-compatible, and Siracusa said the material is flexible, durable and resilient. The company introduced six new frame styles this year and plans to begin offering eyewear for more than just pilots.


“As we started selling our glasses, people who were pilots but also rode motorcycles or did other things that required helmets said the glasses were great for that, too,” he said. “So we expanded to motorsports and firefighters and EMTs, who all wear headphones.”


Siracusa uses his own products, as he has his own airplane, a Meyers 200D.


“It’s a rare plane,” he said. “Only 120 of them were made. It’s very fast.”


Plans for the company’s future include focusing on growth. Siracusa said later this year he hopes to move into larger retailer shops, such as Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops.


“Our audience is expanding based on new needs and uses that we didn’t anticipate or expect,” Siracusa said. “The future goal is expansion and to grow as much as possible.”


Flying Eyes Eyeware
512-213-2390
http://flyingeyesoptics.com




Flying Eyes Eyeware The company introduced six new frames this year and plans to expand.[/caption]