Using a flight helmet while flying a spamcan
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Using a flight helmet while flying a spamcan
I see quite a few vids on youtube where people flying light aircraft are wearing "flight helmets" basically what we used to call "pudding boilers" with built in headphones/mics much like the guys in microlights wear. I notice more and more folks wearing helmets for other sports like biking, skiing and kids on skateboards, would others on here wear such a thing while flying a cessna/piper or would the embarrassed of looking like a complete pratt override any added safety margin a helmets gives?
Last edited by piperboy84; 5th Oct 2012 at 17:53.
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I’ve long ago given up worrying about looking like a prat. When I first started flying the Rans, I was flying with a former RAF fast jet pilot. He always wore his bone dome and suggested I get one myself.
The sound deadening is better than a conventional headset and it’s warmer in winter. It can get a bit hot in summer, but there again with our summers, it’s not usually a problem. It has accumulated a few scratches over the years, due to contact with the internal structure of the aeroplane, which might have made for a slightly sore head without it. Should I ever suffer the misfortune of ditching, it will keep my head warm and somewhat easier to see.
So no, I don’t worry about looking like a prat…
The sound deadening is better than a conventional headset and it’s warmer in winter. It can get a bit hot in summer, but there again with our summers, it’s not usually a problem. It has accumulated a few scratches over the years, due to contact with the internal structure of the aeroplane, which might have made for a slightly sore head without it. Should I ever suffer the misfortune of ditching, it will keep my head warm and somewhat easier to see.
So no, I don’t worry about looking like a prat…
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Safety margin? How many accidents can you name in GA flying where wearing a helmet would've made a difference in the outcome? There's your answer.
IMHO helmets make sense in open cockpits and in aircraft where bailing out (parachute or bang seat) is an option. But not in the average spamcan.
IMHO helmets make sense in open cockpits and in aircraft where bailing out (parachute or bang seat) is an option. But not in the average spamcan.
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I was flying with a former RAF fast jet pilot. He always wore his bone dome and suggested I get one myself.
Open cockpit I might reconsider the helmet but then it would probably be leather not kevlar.
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Modern cars have very good protection for drivers
1950's aircraft do not
Military pilots wear helmets in their light a/c
Are there any stats re survivablity in light a/c?
Maybe we should wear helments and flame proof clothes....
1950's aircraft do not
Military pilots wear helmets in their light a/c
Are there any stats re survivablity in light a/c?
Maybe we should wear helments and flame proof clothes....
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There certainly have been light aircraft accidents where the use of or lack of a bonedome has made the difference. I recall a case where somebody was despatched by an altmeter setting knob to the forehead, something that would have been survivable with a helmet.
The use of safety equipment is frequently debated in here and in private flying comes down to an individual's risk tolerance. Whilst many think that the use of safety equipment looks uncool or pretentious, wearing unsafe clothing looks reckless and stupid to those who are familiar with some of the potential hazards. Safety gear may be needed rarely or never, but it only has to save you once for it to have been a smart move.
I've seen an interesting trend amongst 16 year old moped riding chavs who are presumably of the 'safety gear is uncool' doctrine. In order to comply with the letter of the law and avoid the attention of the constabulary whilst guaranteeing the absolute removal of any safety benefit, many kids ride around with the helmet perched on the back of the head with the chinguard up on their foreheads. Darwinism at work.
The use of safety equipment is frequently debated in here and in private flying comes down to an individual's risk tolerance. Whilst many think that the use of safety equipment looks uncool or pretentious, wearing unsafe clothing looks reckless and stupid to those who are familiar with some of the potential hazards. Safety gear may be needed rarely or never, but it only has to save you once for it to have been a smart move.
I've seen an interesting trend amongst 16 year old moped riding chavs who are presumably of the 'safety gear is uncool' doctrine. In order to comply with the letter of the law and avoid the attention of the constabulary whilst guaranteeing the absolute removal of any safety benefit, many kids ride around with the helmet perched on the back of the head with the chinguard up on their foreheads. Darwinism at work.
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You would look ridiculous wearing one flying a Cessna/Piper. Like wearing a nomex suit while flying a GA aircraft.
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Seem to remember reading of a chap who had the top of his head taken off during a forced landing in a Tipsy Nipper when it turned over. Pretty sure if he'd been wearing a bone dome and survived he'd pitch in any minute to tell us the story of how wearing one saved his life......
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FWIW RAF actually only wear a bone dome in some light aircraft - G115E Tutor, for example, but not G109B Vigilant. The distinction seems to be they wear one if doing aeros. (It's not about bailing out: in both they wear parachutes.)
Tim
Tim
I know a few RAF Pilots flying weekends in GA aircraft & they still wear everything as they do at work. Personally i think it's sensible from a safety point of view & offers the protection needed in our hobby.
Having worn the full suit myself, for flying in the fast jets myself, i can see the reasons.
I do fly wearing the Nomex flight suit & Flying Gloves for practical reasons as well as safety reasons, & couldn't give a monkeys what others think.
Up to each individual what they wear.
Fly Safe.
T
Having worn the full suit myself, for flying in the fast jets myself, i can see the reasons.
I do fly wearing the Nomex flight suit & Flying Gloves for practical reasons as well as safety reasons, & couldn't give a monkeys what others think.
Up to each individual what they wear.
Fly Safe.
T
Last edited by 7of9; 6th Oct 2012 at 06:49.
flight helmets
Plus side:- Noise reduction and protection
Debit side :- Ribbing from other club/airfield users.
However there seems to be so little flying & people around airfields nowadays who will notice !!!
Debit side :- Ribbing from other club/airfield users.
However there seems to be so little flying & people around airfields nowadays who will notice !!!