Aerobatics & headsets

[bcfc]

Having just come back from another (completely fantastic) aero's flight, I'm finding my DC13.4's are falling off. I haven't seen any adverts for chin straps and I'm not particularly keen on a leather helmet.

Any ideas on how to keep them on my head?

[jayteeto]

The obvious answer would be..... Superglue!!
However, you should be able to design a cheap temporary fitting with some curtain tape and velcro that can be fitted for aeros flights. Not pretty, but cheap and effective.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

I had this problem in the Yak, so i bought a David Clark helmet. Not the most elegant bit of headgear, but it takes a DC headset, keeps it on your bonce during even the most extreme aeros, and provides some protection should you need it (like banging your head on the canopy during roll entry and exit :ok: ).

SSD

[LowNSlow]

There are cotton helmets that'll do the job without making your bonce too hot.

[eharding]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=129196 discusses the merits or otherwise of the DC helmets - I've worn them in a Slingsby T67 200M & Cap10b, with no problems of canopy clearance. It's a sod to fit/remove the headsets though, so might be worth getting a second-hand set of DC's and leave them fitted.

Interestingly, the text my instructor recommended for the AOPA course was "Aerobatics - Principles and Practice" by David Robson, who, on the subject of headset security, recommends that "a cat's collar (it has an elasticised segment) can be attached to a headset and functions well as a chin-strap".

So...http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=38&pf_id=3734

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/shop_dev/assets/new_product_images/hicraft/holographic_cat_collar.jpg

"These jazzy, size adjustable cat collars feature a safety snap fastener and bell. Available in muted shades of blues, greens and pinks trimmed with black felt. £3.49"


However, if you're a little uneasy about purchasing aviation-related supplies from a petstore, I'm about to start a web-based headset security device retailer.....first product will be

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/shop_dev/assets/new_product_images/hicraft/holographic_cat_collar.jpg

"These high-performance headset security devices feature a safety snap fastener and emergency audible locator signal. Available in professional shades of blues, greens and cerise trimmed with black impact absorbing material. £34.99 + VAT & PP"

regards,

Ed

[FNG]

chortle!


Robson book mucho excellento

[bcfc]

Cheers Ed, will it also solve my flea problem? :ok:

[stiknruda]

I'd advocate a hard helmet!

I fly with the David Clarke model.

A very good friend was seriously injured (5weeks in a coma) when he banged his helmet-less head on the instrument panel during a botched forced landing.

I'm not saying that he would have walked away had he worn a helmet, but it would have offered more protection than a mesh helmet and he may have had had fewer facial fratures.

Sobering isn't it.


Stik

[bcfc]

Stik,

I'd agree if I did as much aero's as you. But its difficult to justify with my hour a week max.

I'm going to get my mecanno toolkit out and see if I can tighten my DC's up.

Cheers
bcfc

[FNG]

BRL, please re-name this thread "Pink Headset Straps".

[djpil]

Interestingly, the text my instructor recommended for the AOPA course was "Aerobatics - Principles and Practice" by David Robson, who, on the subject of headset security, recommends that "a cat's collar (it has an elasticised segment) can be attached to a headset and functions well as a chin-strap".
I must admit to putting that idea into Dave's head. DC had a strap but was unavailable in Australia at the time - I've never actually seen one. I chose a blue collar and removed the bell. Don't need it for Sportsman aeros in the Decathlon but worked well for Advanced & Unlimited. I later graduated to a leather "helmet" from Skylines (http://www.skylines.com.au/) fitted with a DC headset.