Helmets - Should you? and Which?
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Bought mine from
Flight Helmets - Flight Suits - Aviation Helmets
(Brand new not refurbished, I would never buy refurbished for obvious reasons)
Very good price and had it within 3 days.
Flight Helmets - Flight Suits - Aviation Helmets
(Brand new not refurbished, I would never buy refurbished for obvious reasons)
Very good price and had it within 3 days.
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Civi mic for ex-Mil helmets
I have got 2 helmets. A Mk 4B4L and a Mk 10 (both ex-mil). they are both fully serviced by my friendly Squippers but I have an problem. I am told the mic (Recal) is not compatable with civil aircraft, hence why I can't talk on the intercom or radio! Can anyone help and tell me where I could get a compatable mic. Many thanks.
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from military to civil?
don't have any idea of your radios requirements but you may wish to check the impedance of your ear speakers as well. often it is just a matter of connecting them in series instead of in paralell.
The best way to root a radio is to plug in the wrong impedance mikes and earphones.
besides no one else may be able to communicate with you, doesn't make for a good day, or a happy boss.
you should find the impedance value written on the back of the earpiece.
don't have any idea of your radios requirements but you may wish to check the impedance of your ear speakers as well. often it is just a matter of connecting them in series instead of in paralell.
The best way to root a radio is to plug in the wrong impedance mikes and earphones.
besides no one else may be able to communicate with you, doesn't make for a good day, or a happy boss.
you should find the impedance value written on the back of the earpiece.
My Perfect Helmet
Of course fit and function are very personal but after 20 years of bone domes with noise, weight and fit issues I have found the best for me.
Gallet LH 250 from Merit Apparel in Florida (excellent service)
Merit Apparel
with a Bose ANC (Active Noise Canceling) headset
Bose Aviation Headset X - Pilot Headsets - Bose Headsets and Headphones
installed by the magical engineer who keeps me airborne. Quiet(er) and more comfortable than anything else I have tried.
On the minus side - cost, possible loss of warranty, you (or someone else) have to build it yourself, takes two AA batteries for 40 hours (but it will turn itself off if unused for a bit).
On the plus side - Best ANC of the 4 that I have used, Superb audio (I can understand the high pitch low volume conversations that were lost before), soft ear seals (won't turn rock solid in cold weather like Oregon Aero's very good ones), the headset disassembles and installs without wrecking anything (i.e. both helmet and headset can be put back together as original if need be).
This is THE helmet of the 21st century.
PM me if you want more info.
Gallet LH 250 from Merit Apparel in Florida (excellent service)
Merit Apparel
with a Bose ANC (Active Noise Canceling) headset
Bose Aviation Headset X - Pilot Headsets - Bose Headsets and Headphones
installed by the magical engineer who keeps me airborne. Quiet(er) and more comfortable than anything else I have tried.
On the minus side - cost, possible loss of warranty, you (or someone else) have to build it yourself, takes two AA batteries for 40 hours (but it will turn itself off if unused for a bit).
On the plus side - Best ANC of the 4 that I have used, Superb audio (I can understand the high pitch low volume conversations that were lost before), soft ear seals (won't turn rock solid in cold weather like Oregon Aero's very good ones), the headset disassembles and installs without wrecking anything (i.e. both helmet and headset can be put back together as original if need be).
This is THE helmet of the 21st century.
PM me if you want more info.
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Decredenza, I too used the Gallet 250 with the Bose set up. A very easy modification involving the removal of the frog comms and popping the
Bose cups in the spaces, a rubber grommet to seal the boom to the shell and volia.. super expensive but great ANR helmet.
Bose cups in the spaces, a rubber grommet to seal the boom to the shell and volia.. super expensive but great ANR helmet.
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HGU56p fits well
Redsarboy
I have been using a Gentex HGU56p for abour 7 years now and have not had a worry comfort wise. You just put in the velcro spacer pads to fit your head size, wiggle and adjust as necessary.
I have never had a sore head or neck since the first day I wore it.
I would probably buy another one when the time for repalcement comes.
Good Luck
800
I have been using a Gentex HGU56p for abour 7 years now and have not had a worry comfort wise. You just put in the velcro spacer pads to fit your head size, wiggle and adjust as necessary.
I have never had a sore head or neck since the first day I wore it.
I would probably buy another one when the time for repalcement comes.
Good Luck
800
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Hi Phantasm,
The Police and HEMs Guys wear helmets principly as a result of a Police SE Jetranger crash in Glasgow which I believe hit a building and a crewmember died as a result of a head injury. It is now a requirement in the PAOM and the Exemptions for HEMs.
North Sea Pilots do not wear helmets (With the exception of SAR crews), despite the fact that during the Brent spar crash it was reproted that one of the crew was incapacitated by a bump on the head during the impact with the sea.
Also reported in the Cormanrant alpha disaster that the co-pilot (who survived the crash) was believed to have subsequently become incapacitated by a bump on the head whilst in the sea, believed to have been caused by the liferaft flipping over and possibly the inflation bottle hitting his head.
However, many NS pilots do not wish to wear helmets as the sheer length of time spent in them would be very uncomfortable and for the PAX which do not wear helmets it would look strange to them loking forward at 2 pilots wearing helmets.
My undersrtanding of the Regulators view is that the requirement to wear helmets is a function of the risk assessed during the tasks that the helicopter is undertaking. Powerline work, Police and HEMs all been subjected to different risks than say the North Sea crews are during the course of their work.
The North Sea may be viewed as being the closest helicopter relative of the scheduled airline services, but with one very notable exception, we operate to Performance Class 2 (With Exposure Period during Landing and Take-off offshore) which effectively means that in extermis, if a engine fails, the helicopter will crash (In extremis remember).
The risks of this crash ever happening are mitigated by other operational requirements of the both the machine and the crew,. For example, the helicopter and engines must have a reliability programme in place supported by an on board Health and Usage monitoring System and the profile flown must be acceptable to the Authority (which is based on computer modelling to minimize as much as possible the exposure period during landing and take-off).
These requirements seem to work well when applied by a responsible operator.
As an ex Army Pilot who has also worked Police and HEMs it did feel very strange to start my North Sea career with a pair of HI-FI headsets on my lugs, but taken on balance I would not welcome a move to helmets for the job I am now doing.
Hope this helps clarify the arguments somewhat.
The Police and HEMs Guys wear helmets principly as a result of a Police SE Jetranger crash in Glasgow which I believe hit a building and a crewmember died as a result of a head injury. It is now a requirement in the PAOM and the Exemptions for HEMs.
North Sea Pilots do not wear helmets (With the exception of SAR crews), despite the fact that during the Brent spar crash it was reproted that one of the crew was incapacitated by a bump on the head during the impact with the sea.
Also reported in the Cormanrant alpha disaster that the co-pilot (who survived the crash) was believed to have subsequently become incapacitated by a bump on the head whilst in the sea, believed to have been caused by the liferaft flipping over and possibly the inflation bottle hitting his head.
However, many NS pilots do not wish to wear helmets as the sheer length of time spent in them would be very uncomfortable and for the PAX which do not wear helmets it would look strange to them loking forward at 2 pilots wearing helmets.
My undersrtanding of the Regulators view is that the requirement to wear helmets is a function of the risk assessed during the tasks that the helicopter is undertaking. Powerline work, Police and HEMs all been subjected to different risks than say the North Sea crews are during the course of their work.
The North Sea may be viewed as being the closest helicopter relative of the scheduled airline services, but with one very notable exception, we operate to Performance Class 2 (With Exposure Period during Landing and Take-off offshore) which effectively means that in extermis, if a engine fails, the helicopter will crash (In extremis remember).
The risks of this crash ever happening are mitigated by other operational requirements of the both the machine and the crew,. For example, the helicopter and engines must have a reliability programme in place supported by an on board Health and Usage monitoring System and the profile flown must be acceptable to the Authority (which is based on computer modelling to minimize as much as possible the exposure period during landing and take-off).
These requirements seem to work well when applied by a responsible operator.
As an ex Army Pilot who has also worked Police and HEMs it did feel very strange to start my North Sea career with a pair of HI-FI headsets on my lugs, but taken on balance I would not welcome a move to helmets for the job I am now doing.
Hope this helps clarify the arguments somewhat.
It's because a helicopter won't fly without a pilot; therefore, a helicopter pilot has a brain, and it's worth protecting.
Planks will fly without a pilot. Some brain-dead d!ck sits behind the wheel and has the job of lowering the wheels for landing. No brain, no helmet. Easy.
Planks will fly without a pilot. Some brain-dead d!ck sits behind the wheel and has the job of lowering the wheels for landing. No brain, no helmet. Easy.
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Hey D.B. so, they had one police crash resulting in that now Police pilot will wear helmets, yet the two instances you mentioned on the N.sea they still don't?
Also, it's beginning to look like the S76 crash in Louisiana was caused by a bird strike, and would they have all survived if the pilots were wearing helmets and were not incapacitated immediately by the bird??? Well, I guess we will never know.....
The new helmets you can get now are not like the ones of old...I have worn the new lightweight ALPHA type for over 5 hours and didn't even know it was there after a while....We are also forgetting that the protection that they give against noise levels reaching the ears AND penetrating the skull (new research showing this can be harmful)....
You say in your post many N.sea pilots do not want them??? Have you done a survey lately???
Cannot believe in this day and age of health and safety N.Sea guys don't wear them...even if some guys do not wish too, it should be an option for those that DO want to protect themselves...as for the pax, they do not spend 5-800 hours a year sitting at the front of the aircraft and if they want to wear them too, let the oil companies supply them.......(personally as a pax I WANT to see the pilots protected as much as poss)!!!!!!!
Cheers
P.H.
Also, it's beginning to look like the S76 crash in Louisiana was caused by a bird strike, and would they have all survived if the pilots were wearing helmets and were not incapacitated immediately by the bird??? Well, I guess we will never know.....
The new helmets you can get now are not like the ones of old...I have worn the new lightweight ALPHA type for over 5 hours and didn't even know it was there after a while....We are also forgetting that the protection that they give against noise levels reaching the ears AND penetrating the skull (new research showing this can be harmful)....
You say in your post many N.sea pilots do not want them??? Have you done a survey lately???
Cannot believe in this day and age of health and safety N.Sea guys don't wear them...even if some guys do not wish too, it should be an option for those that DO want to protect themselves...as for the pax, they do not spend 5-800 hours a year sitting at the front of the aircraft and if they want to wear them too, let the oil companies supply them.......(personally as a pax I WANT to see the pilots protected as much as poss)!!!!!!!
Cheers
P.H.
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PULLHARDER,
All of your points are very valid and I would admit that if we were taken down the road of wearing helmets I would wear one, I have not had a go of the new lightweight ones yet...I think my time in with PLOD and HEMS the helmets were very good so if the have improved even further that would be good news.
I particularly take in your point about the PHI 76, also brings into question "Should the Engine Levers be in the Roof Quadrant at all" surely they would be better stowed away from not only the risk of Bird strikes but also inadvertent crew operation.
Several years ago while working at WY Plod My front seat obeserver being a tall man, wrestling with the FLIR controller managed to retard the N1 speed lever with.....wait for it...... THE HARD VISOR COVER ON HIS HELMET.
Me looking out the door window, usual during a search op with him FLIRRING across in the 2 O'Clock position, the first thing I notice apart from the change in noise as the donkey winds down, is we start plummetting (had to use that word at least once) into Leeds City Centre.
(The poor old 105 being a bit gutless on one donkey in those days). A bit of a brown trouser moment as I pointed the nose down at the city centre to get some flying speed and eventually climbed away on the remaining donkey.
Observer was meanwhile trying to disentangle his swede from the throttle quadrant.
The moral of this story is HELMETS CAN BE DANGEROUS when introduced without full and proper trials beforehand - just like any other piece of Hard stuff when carry into the cockpit.
The Observers name was ERIC (surname withheld) and he was an absolute top bloke...(If you read this ERIC - I still talk about your Fish and Chips as you are singularly responsible for the dramatic rise in my saturated FAT intake once you introduced me to the absolute culinary delight - WEST YORKSHIRE FISH AND CHIPS). needless to say we were able to have a good laugh about it later and come sun-up all hard visor covers were duly removed.
Are there any other PPRUNERS who have had the "West Yorkshire" Fish and Chip moment....LURVERRRRLY.
All of your points are very valid and I would admit that if we were taken down the road of wearing helmets I would wear one, I have not had a go of the new lightweight ones yet...I think my time in with PLOD and HEMS the helmets were very good so if the have improved even further that would be good news.
I particularly take in your point about the PHI 76, also brings into question "Should the Engine Levers be in the Roof Quadrant at all" surely they would be better stowed away from not only the risk of Bird strikes but also inadvertent crew operation.
Several years ago while working at WY Plod My front seat obeserver being a tall man, wrestling with the FLIR controller managed to retard the N1 speed lever with.....wait for it...... THE HARD VISOR COVER ON HIS HELMET.
Me looking out the door window, usual during a search op with him FLIRRING across in the 2 O'Clock position, the first thing I notice apart from the change in noise as the donkey winds down, is we start plummetting (had to use that word at least once) into Leeds City Centre.
(The poor old 105 being a bit gutless on one donkey in those days). A bit of a brown trouser moment as I pointed the nose down at the city centre to get some flying speed and eventually climbed away on the remaining donkey.
Observer was meanwhile trying to disentangle his swede from the throttle quadrant.
The moral of this story is HELMETS CAN BE DANGEROUS when introduced without full and proper trials beforehand - just like any other piece of Hard stuff when carry into the cockpit.
The Observers name was ERIC (surname withheld) and he was an absolute top bloke...(If you read this ERIC - I still talk about your Fish and Chips as you are singularly responsible for the dramatic rise in my saturated FAT intake once you introduced me to the absolute culinary delight - WEST YORKSHIRE FISH AND CHIPS). needless to say we were able to have a good laugh about it later and come sun-up all hard visor covers were duly removed.
Are there any other PPRUNERS who have had the "West Yorkshire" Fish and Chip moment....LURVERRRRLY.
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Hi there DB...well we could fix that problem by removing the hard visor cover or purchase a different make that does not have them fitted....and yes I totally agree with you on the throttles....Bell design is the way to go, and considering the S76 is a single pilot machine, if you do need to manipulate the engine power for any reason during emergencies how much easier with the throttles on the collective!!! Anyway, I digress, Personally it's time for helmets on the N.sea or at least the option of pilots who WANT to wear them given the choice.....Why should the guys that don't want them stop the sensible guys that do???
Cheers,
PH
guys that do???Cheers,
PH
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Hi Pullharder,
I would never hinder the enhancement of safety at the expense of confort, provided the ensuing discomfort is proven through trial does not conpromise the overall safety of the operation.
We are used to the discomfort of the rubber suit so I guess it would not be a major leap of faith to put our swedes into a bucket of some kind......remembering that when we do....OUR SWEDES ARE ANOTHER 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER OVERALL.
Any jokes about "Cheesy" Helmets welcomed!!!!!
I would never hinder the enhancement of safety at the expense of confort, provided the ensuing discomfort is proven through trial does not conpromise the overall safety of the operation.
We are used to the discomfort of the rubber suit so I guess it would not be a major leap of faith to put our swedes into a bucket of some kind......remembering that when we do....OUR SWEDES ARE ANOTHER 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER OVERALL.
Any jokes about "Cheesy" Helmets welcomed!!!!!
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DB,
There was also the case of Geoff Bader in an S58T in 1976(?) landing on the Forties when he suffered tail rotor buzz on landing and his helicopter crashed on to the deck of a crane barge which was alongside at the time. The corner of the overhead console fractured his skull. Luckily he survived and after several years managed to regain his medical and last I heard he was flying for BA FW.
When I was flying SAR on the Brent we never had helmets, though our winch men did. There are a number of pilots in Nigeria now who wear helmets and after seeing the damage done to one of our S76s here by a bird strike a few months ago, I must admit that I have been considering getting one. The main thing which would bother me in this climate is the effect of wearing it for a long time on hot, humid days. I always wore one in the military, but that was pretty uncomfortable after a few hours, but when doing survey flying in the 212 in Iran we were issued with Gentex helmets which seemed pretty comfortable, though they never fitted quite as well as the UK mil helmets, so I did wonder about the difference in crash protection of the two.
There was also the case of Geoff Bader in an S58T in 1976(?) landing on the Forties when he suffered tail rotor buzz on landing and his helicopter crashed on to the deck of a crane barge which was alongside at the time. The corner of the overhead console fractured his skull. Luckily he survived and after several years managed to regain his medical and last I heard he was flying for BA FW.
When I was flying SAR on the Brent we never had helmets, though our winch men did. There are a number of pilots in Nigeria now who wear helmets and after seeing the damage done to one of our S76s here by a bird strike a few months ago, I must admit that I have been considering getting one. The main thing which would bother me in this climate is the effect of wearing it for a long time on hot, humid days. I always wore one in the military, but that was pretty uncomfortable after a few hours, but when doing survey flying in the 212 in Iran we were issued with Gentex helmets which seemed pretty comfortable, though they never fitted quite as well as the UK mil helmets, so I did wonder about the difference in crash protection of the two.
The US Navy requires all occupants of helicopters to wear a helmet. They use a cloth/fiberglass model for passengers that offer head protection and hearing protection. David Clark had a similar model at one time so I suppose it was them what sold them to the Navy.
The Bears (....errrr....excuse me....the Passengers) would howl about being required to wear such a thing but if sold to them on a safety basis....they might go along with the concept then helmets for pilots would fly too.
If helmets are proven to be a safety improvement for both crash protection and hearing protection as they are....then why the resistance to wearing them?
The Bears (....errrr....excuse me....the Passengers) would howl about being required to wear such a thing but if sold to them on a safety basis....they might go along with the concept then helmets for pilots would fly too.
If helmets are proven to be a safety improvement for both crash protection and hearing protection as they are....then why the resistance to wearing them?
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The closer to the ground & the more manuevering you do.....
It is similar to motorcyclists and helmets.
In some countries it is a requirement and others it isnt.
Being a bike rider for many years and from a country that is required I find it odd that people wouldnt wear one.
I guess it doesnt look cool or you cant see ones face.....and you wont again after the accident.
I remember having the conversation with others that ride and out of 10 of us, 0 would ride with out one if given the option.
Still when arriving in a country that has a no helmet law, I see very few riders wearing one though they will have it strapped to the bike or on the end of the handle grip.......very smart indeed.
Infact I was shocked to find out that the lady that lobbied for the no helmet law in Florida, died from massive head injuries 2 weeks after the bill was passed and became law.
Irony at its worst.
I am sure that impresses emergency service personel treating a head injury to an individual that had a helmet with them but wasnt wearing it.
I guess it takes seeing the result of an accident to convince an individual.
Like fools that don't wear seatbelts in a car.
Having said that I don't fly with a helmet because I can not afford one though the minute I have a job and get my first decent paycheck I will.
I feel odd flying without a helmet.
In some countries it is a requirement and others it isnt.
Being a bike rider for many years and from a country that is required I find it odd that people wouldnt wear one.
I guess it doesnt look cool or you cant see ones face.....and you wont again after the accident.
I remember having the conversation with others that ride and out of 10 of us, 0 would ride with out one if given the option.
Still when arriving in a country that has a no helmet law, I see very few riders wearing one though they will have it strapped to the bike or on the end of the handle grip.......very smart indeed.
Infact I was shocked to find out that the lady that lobbied for the no helmet law in Florida, died from massive head injuries 2 weeks after the bill was passed and became law.
Irony at its worst.
I am sure that impresses emergency service personel treating a head injury to an individual that had a helmet with them but wasnt wearing it.
I guess it takes seeing the result of an accident to convince an individual.
Like fools that don't wear seatbelts in a car.
Having said that I don't fly with a helmet because I can not afford one though the minute I have a job and get my first decent paycheck I will.
I feel odd flying without a helmet.
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You cannot lift an object at work over a certain weight
, do not run on the apron for fear of falling...hold BOTH handrails when using the stairs on a platform, must wear a bright yellow reflective vest airside for fear that your bright red wollie jumper your favorite aunt knitted you AIN'T bright enough to see 
,
"caution,hot coffee" on the cup, just in case you brewed a cold one
,
but strap a helicopter to your butt sit up front fly to rigs day and night in crap weather with all the hazards that go along with it and you don't require head protection???
A friend of mine rolled a 206 and the blade came through the cockpit and hit his head, medics said the helmet saved his life........Many examples of this sort of thing are out there.....
Has the HSE with all it's petty rules asleep on this subject
, do not run on the apron for fear of falling...hold BOTH handrails when using the stairs on a platform, must wear a bright yellow reflective vest airside for fear that your bright red wollie jumper your favorite aunt knitted you AIN'T bright enough to see ,"caution,hot coffee" on the cup, just in case you brewed a cold one
,but strap a helicopter to your butt sit up front fly to rigs day and night in crap weather with all the hazards that go along with it and you don't require head protection???
A friend of mine rolled a 206 and the blade came through the cockpit and hit his head, medics said the helmet saved his life........Many examples of this sort of thing are out there.....
Has the HSE with all it's petty rules asleep on this subject