Not quite correct.

Nomex will burn in a fire - but it won't support combustion (ie you couldn't
put a match to a suit hanging from a coat hanger and expect it to go up in
flames). As a rule it supports a higher temperature before burning as well,
compared to normal everyday clothes. Additionally, when you remove the
source of the flame it won't leave charred remains smouldering.

It's thermal insulation (for just the suit) is minimal (as you rightly point
out) - the increased thermal protection comes from the layered nomex under
garments.

I think a lot of people mis-understand the purpose of a nomex suit - it's
not to allow you to sit in a burning cockpit as flames reduce everything
around you to smouldering ash - it's to significantly reduce your injuries
from burns in the 5 to 10 seconds you have to get the hell out of a burning
wreckage and clear of the fire - or if you like, use that time to assist
someone else who isn't as well protected.


"Viperdoc" wrote in message
...
Nomex doesn't protect you from the heat or keep you from getting a thermal
burn- it simply won't catch fire itself or melt on your skin. You can also
get a used one for under $100, which is a lot cheaper than any handheld
radio or GPS.

Actually, if you're going to wear a suit, you should also consider gloves
and socks as well as a "turkey bag" flame hood.