'Don your hard hats.' Response.
I'd like to thank very much everybody (With the exception of one individual..) for the replies to this thread
This was my first thread, i joined just last night, and i'm pleased with the valuable and varied insights which have been extracted from this topic.
The helmet i have is a reconditioned ALPHA 200, which was slightly more expensive than a good motorcycle helmet. It's construction looks to be of carbon fibre, but it is much much lighter than a motorcycle helmet. As for the added weight in respect of inertia, this is something i admittedly had not thought about previously.
I suppose with use, such as the heavier motorcycle helmet which felt like lead when i passed my motorcycle test, i would reach the point where i wouldn't even realise i'm wearing it. Today, a motorcycle helmet is for me just like wearing a cap, seems your neck / reactions adapt in time to the different pressure and muscles requirements to ensure when you 'slam-on', you don't konk your head on the windsheild.
I totaly understand the strange concept of wearing safety gear whilst flying the air- equiv of a Mondeo (PA-28 Etc), but as for it being nigh-on impossible to get out of a light aircraft which is out of control - call me stupid, but i would be willing to give it my best shot in an emergency, rather than decorating the local farmer's feild with a 'Chris & Cessna' fuelled bar-b-que - provided of course i had a 'chute!
Q) So what have i learnt from all your responses for which i am grateful?
A) Without wanting to sound smug, i think the last paragraph of my initial mail has been underlined. That being that people have different views - some like helmets, some don't. Some see that level of safety equipment necassary, some don't - some feel in certain types of aircraft, some in all, some in non.
So, are we surprised at the responses? I think not - What i do think is that these responses call for people such as me and you, especially where safety is concerned, to have the right to raise our safety measures to the level at which we see fit, and in doing so, not being discriminated against in any way. Also, that we, in respect of others, would embrace an open and accepting attitude in regards to this.
Thank you so much to everyone - and may this first thread never have to be brought to the fore in an emergency for any of us.
Very Kind regards
Chris W (Helmeted-Seagull2200)