Helicopter Pilot Seats....Crimes against Humanity!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Thirsk, North Yorks
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Bell 429
You maybe happy to note Bell still continue with their range of torture devices. Nice new shiny Bell 429 that I absolutely love flying, but anything over an hour and you are their latest gimp and you are in a world of pain. Pax are comfy though which is nice.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
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I once visited a chiropractor who recognised me as a Gazelle pilot because of my "stoop". At that time, I was flying the Gazelle.
Nigerian In Law
Scout, Gazelle (normal and armoured) and Bell 212 were without doubt the worst seats I encountered.
I recall an American pilot (an old friend of ours with a Hungarian name Sasless) telling me about a known condition suffered during and after Vietnam called "Bell Back" which was a result of extended operations in the slightly nose down attitude adopted by Bell pilots as a result of fatigue. The only way to ameliorate it was to wear a back brace similar to those worn by weightifters or riggers.
NEO
I recall an American pilot (an old friend of ours with a Hungarian name Sasless) telling me about a known condition suffered during and after Vietnam called "Bell Back" which was a result of extended operations in the slightly nose down attitude adopted by Bell pilots as a result of fatigue. The only way to ameliorate it was to wear a back brace similar to those worn by weightifters or riggers.
NEO
The Huey Back, a combination of leaning left to reach to collective, being bent over a little, but having to tilt the head up to see over the panel, while wearing a helmet, and copping that 1:1 bounce for 2500 hours.
I did manage to scrounge a wedge-shaped kidney pad from a Martin-Baker Departure Lounge, and with a velcro strap to let me move it up and down the seat back, the rest of my Bell career in 206, 407, 212 and 412 were almost acceptable.
I did manage to scrounge a wedge-shaped kidney pad from a Martin-Baker Departure Lounge, and with a velcro strap to let me move it up and down the seat back, the rest of my Bell career in 206, 407, 212 and 412 were almost acceptable.
Add my 2 cents worth
AS350 not great but serviceable, retrofit good quality seat inserts
R44 shocking really with no adjustment, just find someone who can put in high density foam
R22 as above;well don't worry - don't won't fly them anymore
EC120 close to good just retrofit good foam and higher seat sides and
MD500 I put in the light weight mesh/military style and they were not too bad
but no adjustment, I think it is even worse than the R22 if you don't like the pedal position or are a bit taller its not much fun
AS350 not great but serviceable, retrofit good quality seat inserts
R44 shocking really with no adjustment, just find someone who can put in high density foam
R22 as above;well don't worry - don't won't fly them anymore
EC120 close to good just retrofit good foam and higher seat sides and
MD500 I put in the light weight mesh/military style and they were not too bad
but no adjustment, I think it is even worse than the R22 if you don't like the pedal position or are a bit taller its not much fun
An early model 206A had the most uncomfortable seats ever!
205-212 ugh.
Company refusal to refurbish seats.
Early Astars..with the short seat backs.with no shoulder harness..yeah that would protect you during a crash..NOT!
76s..not much better.
S-92 and EC225...don't even get me started.
Now on LTD due neck/back problems ..but hardly unexpected after 17000 plus.
Other factors...helmet (had to give up the helmet around 12000 hrs) ...life jacket with 5kg of stuff in it...being tall and having the shoulder harness pulling down on your shoulders, the survival suit fit around your neck. I could go on and on.
Basically the manufactures and companies never seemed to get the point that some folks would be sitting in these seats for years.
205-212 ugh.
Company refusal to refurbish seats.
Early Astars..with the short seat backs.with no shoulder harness..yeah that would protect you during a crash..NOT!
76s..not much better.
S-92 and EC225...don't even get me started.
Now on LTD due neck/back problems ..but hardly unexpected after 17000 plus.
Other factors...helmet (had to give up the helmet around 12000 hrs) ...life jacket with 5kg of stuff in it...being tall and having the shoulder harness pulling down on your shoulders, the survival suit fit around your neck. I could go on and on.
Basically the manufactures and companies never seemed to get the point that some folks would be sitting in these seats for years.
Guest
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Those words do not deserve to be in the same sentence. Recent iteration is a medieval torture device. Full body weight on last 2 inch of your rear end.
Puma seat in combination with a parachute is the most spectacular source of pain and discomfort.
Puma seat in combination with a parachute is the most spectacular source of pain and discomfort.
