Best helmet for aerobatics?

[pilotohog]

Hi,

I have been flying aerobatics without helmet until now, but I am serious considering getting one.

I have seen people is generally using the same, but would like to know more about it if someone has some experiences.

Most common i have seen there are the HGU-33 / HGU-55 / HGU-65

I really wonder about weight since I have always flown only with the headsets...

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[eharding]

HGU/55 shell (best headroom clearance, more flexability regarding visors), Oregon Aero liners and earcups, and CEP in-ear passive noise attenuation.

I know the ATPLs I fly aeros with tend to prefer the Alpha Eagle, as it arguably provides better impact protection and even a few percent is significant if it reduces your chances of being on the bench for months following a concussion, but if headroom is a factor then the Alpha may be too bulky.

I've never found the weight to be an issue - when I get home I'll stick the Gentex and a pair of DCs plus cloth helmet on some scales and post the respective weights.

[Squeegee Longtail]

I fly with both an Alpha Mk10B and a Gentex HGU-55/P, and way prefer the Alpha. It's a little bulkier, and awkward to get on, but once on, it feels light, has a better visor arrangement, is more comfortable and has better earpiece pressure. In defence of the HGU, it does not have a custom fit liner, which would have been moulded for my head (but then neither has the Alpha).

That's just my preference, of course. Hope it helps.

[pilotohog]

I did not know about Alpha helmets, they seem to be very confortable and adaptable. I am not tall at all so I have plenty of space, I guess Alpha would not be a problem. I have fond new Alpha Eagle models, impressive.

Thanks a lot.

[SNS3Guppy]

I have a HGU-55P with a custom kevlar shell, using the standard elastic pull-over visor. I use a leather liner with a thermal foam backing (molds to the head with body heat), and oregon aero earseals on hard earcups. Standard nape strap and edge roll. I don't use ANR, as the helmet is more than quiet enough.

The HGU-55 is designed to be a very lightweight, comfortable headset. I've worn it while maneuvering for extended periods in very hot cockpits, and it's a great set-up. Several liner set-ups are available, from the standard TPL liner to custom fit liners, and the temperfoam liner.

[Pitts2112]

Headroom and cost are factors. If you're flying a Pitts, chances are you won't get your noggin and an Alpha under the canopy, certainly when pushing negative or are inverted. So that's one factor. Another is cost. It's been nearly 10 years since I bought my helmet but, if IIRC, back then the Alpha was 50% more expensive than a comparable rig on the HGU-55. I reckoned that the -55 was "good enough" for the money, so went with that. I've been pretty happy with it, but the passive noise attenuation in the Pitts is a bit lacking, so I wear earplugs when I wear it. YYMV, but I'd suggest the HGU-55.

[NigelOnDraft]

Why do you need/want a helmet? Possible factors:

1. Crash Impact protection
2. Airframe impact protection in event of bale out.
3. Decent Comms that won't fall off
4. Decent sun glare protection without falling off
5. Ability to have Hearing protection without the ANR seal being broken by sunglasses

I think the Alpha tends to beat the HGU on 1 (see AAIB Report on Extra in Kent)? HGU I am sure fine for 2. 3, 4, 5 suspect any helmet the same, subject to finding/fitting best comms inc. ANR.

I have a (refurb) Alpha Eagle 900, and love it! Very comfortable, light, use in One Design / RVs / Yaks / Extra etc.

To address issues above it has ANR built in, single visor kit (not just the clear visior removed, but the tinted visor then lower where the clear would be), and a cloth cover (removing the hard visor assembly). The last 2 are to minimise the head clearance issues (see below).

It cost a fortune, especially since sourced via HSL, but well worth it given the many hours of good service it has given.

Which make/type you go for depends on what you can find / your priorities, but it is one thing I would suggest splashing out on "extras" for, rather than skimping

NoD

PS Alpha 900 has useful ability to tighten/lock/loosen the nape strap via rotary wheel on RHS, rather than a "fitting" type adjustment with string and a screw.

[eharding]

Scores on the doors, as promised (there may have been remains of pie mixture on the kitchen scales used for the following figures, but I don't tend to let pie ingredients go to waste so only a few grammes at most)

Cloth Helmet + DC 10/30 = 705g

Large HGU/55P (Kevlar) + Oregon Aero Innards + CEP = 1128g

XLarge HGU/55P (Stock fibreglass) + Gentex Innards = 1371g

Removing the visor from the Kevlar version brings it down to 1001g

Re: ANR - one of our (unfeasibly noisy) Pitts group had factory fitted ANR in an HGU/55P which had marginal effect, and ended up going with the CEP earplug speakers - another member of the group with an Alpha went for a more expensive version with custom moulded earplugs.

Communications & Ear Protection, Inc. - great product and a very sensible price if you order direct from the factory.

[NigelOnDraft]

Above Alpha 900, Single Visor, Cloth Cover, Mic, ANR, Downlead & Plug = 1331g

RAF Mk4 (when it came in - the new "lightweight Helmet"!) inc. 2 visors / cover & Oxy Mask (no Oxy pipe), Mic Tel lead = 2058g

NoD

[Flyingcircusace]

Peltor Rally Helmet

£285 If you call and order from the factory they will install Aircraft Mike and headphones instead of the Rally Intercom

Lighter than Alpha and made from Kevlar and has been extensively crash tested

You can attach a HGU Visor (Or nick one from Eharding...) and you have a great solution for less than £300.

[HappyJack260]

I use a Campbell AeroClassic in my Pitts. It looks like the classic leather WW2 flyers helmet, but has carbon-fibre and Kevlar under the skin. Weighs around 1100g; visor is not an option but can comfortably fit my sunglasses inside without reducing the very effective noise reduction. For the full Spitfire Pilot look, it also comes with goggles.

[eharding]

Originally Posted by Flyingcircusace

Peltor Rally Helmet

£285 If you call and order from the factory they will install Aircraft Mike and headphones instead of the Rally Intercom

Lighter than Alpha and made from Kevlar and has been extensively crash tested

You can attach a HGU Visor (Or nick one from Eharding...) and you have a great solution for less than £300.

True - I had forgotten about the Peltor option!

(another point to note that HGU55 spares are cheap and easily available, to the extent that you can be more than happy to donate a visor or two to your mates - although the late night eBay impulse buy of a rare anti-laser HGU55 visor probably wasn't entirely wise...it does make the whole world turn orange-pink)

I'm sure the last time I flew with FlyingCircusAce he kept shouting things like "400 m, flat (maximum speed) into crest into kink left severity 4" though....probably the Peltor rally heritage...