Helmets - Should you? and Which?
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Just my two pennies worth but the helmet not only protects your head during an impact but it saves your hearing on a day to day basis if you intend to do a lot of flying.
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Hey Brilliant stuff,
Try telling that to the crappy North sea management (all 3 majors).....mind you,t hey sit in their comfortable chairs,in the peace and quiet why should they care...
PH
Try telling that to the crappy North sea management (all 3 majors).....mind you,t hey sit in their comfortable chairs,in the peace and quiet why should they care...
PH
Join Date: Dec 2007
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helmet
Hello Gentlemen,
The companies I work for didn't require me to use it but since my starting day in the helicopter businnes I use helmets for fly.
On first istance I used an used SPH-4 from military surplus; it performes well for max 1 hour trips, after a while hot spots showed off.
Than I got a new HGU-56 and the SPH-4 went in a box forever.
Great fit and noise attenuation with CEP and gel hearpads helps me to bear 3 hours Hems and Offshore flights flying a 412.
The field of view is a little restricted due to his tipical visors mount but I appreciate the light weight and confort of this helmet in every season.
Best regards
maeroda (IT)
The companies I work for didn't require me to use it but since my starting day in the helicopter businnes I use helmets for fly.
On first istance I used an used SPH-4 from military surplus; it performes well for max 1 hour trips, after a while hot spots showed off.
Than I got a new HGU-56 and the SPH-4 went in a box forever.
Great fit and noise attenuation with CEP and gel hearpads helps me to bear 3 hours Hems and Offshore flights flying a 412.
The field of view is a little restricted due to his tipical visors mount but I appreciate the light weight and confort of this helmet in every season.
Best regards
maeroda (IT)
Vaibronco: helicopterhelmet.com comes highly recommended by many of my friends. I've only purchased parts from them myself.
If you're going to go through the hassle and expense of shipping the helmet to them for refurbishment - or simply a paint job - I'd consider having them fit a new styro liner. Styrofoam does degrade over time due to a number of environmental factors, and since that's part of the primary impact protection mechanism you may as well refresh it. Also (and especially with the SPH4), I'd recommend fitting a Zetaliner from Oregon Aero as well as their hush kit and ear seal covers. These items make a huge improvement in comfort with that helmet, which means you're more likely to be wearing it should you need it.
That said, I'm sort of a cheap bastidge and am refinishing my SPH5 at home, preferring to spend my money on the comfort upgrades
If you're going to go through the hassle and expense of shipping the helmet to them for refurbishment - or simply a paint job - I'd consider having them fit a new styro liner. Styrofoam does degrade over time due to a number of environmental factors, and since that's part of the primary impact protection mechanism you may as well refresh it. Also (and especially with the SPH4), I'd recommend fitting a Zetaliner from Oregon Aero as well as their hush kit and ear seal covers. These items make a huge improvement in comfort with that helmet, which means you're more likely to be wearing it should you need it.
That said, I'm sort of a cheap bastidge and am refinishing my SPH5 at home, preferring to spend my money on the comfort upgrades
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Pulharder
Being ex Northsea myself I know what you mean, sadly BALPA was no use either. I wish though someone would have told me when I joined to bin the cheap Peltors the company provided at discount and bought something a bit more useful than a paperbag.
Being ex Northsea myself I know what you mean, sadly BALPA was no use either. I wish though someone would have told me when I joined to bin the cheap Peltors the company provided at discount and bought something a bit more useful than a paperbag.
What about converting motorcycle helmets? As a biker of more years than I care to mention and being acutely aware of how fragile the old noggin is. When I look at most helicopter helmets of which most are unbelievably over priced and designed 30 odd years ago I shudder to think of what use they may be. In comparison, I have jumped off lots of motorbikes and seen many people headbutt tarmac around racetracks and barely even noticed, getting up with nary a headache.
Just curious as to what others think?
Cheers
ET
Just curious as to what others think?
Cheers
ET
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Helmets - Should you?
Have a look at this link ......
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...IIEX_08-09.pdf
I know that this doesn't relate to a rotary wing accident but I think that this is quite a convincing story about a pilot who probably owes his life to having worn one.....
His pax was bloody lucky to survive without one and probably wouldn't have done had she not been petite/short.....
Ignoring ac with ejection seats, helmets don't care whether you're flying FW or RW and are there to do the same job! I bet this pilot went and bought another one without too much prompting
.
MB
"The pilot in the rear cockpit was wearing a HISL Alpha helmet; the passenger in the front cockpit was not wearing a helmet.
G-IIEX’s pilot sustained a fractured left wrist and a cut to the forehead. The specialist concluded that the pilot had initially flailed forwards and to the left, causing the helmet strike on the canopy release handle and the left bracing tube. He then flailed backwards, causing the helmet strike on the A-frame. The specialist noted that the helmet was designed to conform to British Standard BS6658 (with reservations), which is similar to that worn by UK military fast-jet aircrew and affords the same protection standard. He judged that, while the impacts may have caused the pilot to lose consciousness, the helmet had prevented significant head injury."
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...IIEX_08-09.pdf
I know that this doesn't relate to a rotary wing accident but I think that this is quite a convincing story about a pilot who probably owes his life to having worn one.....
His pax was bloody lucky to survive without one and probably wouldn't have done had she not been petite/short.....
Ignoring ac with ejection seats, helmets don't care whether you're flying FW or RW and are there to do the same job! I bet this pilot went and bought another one without too much prompting
.MB
"The pilot in the rear cockpit was wearing a HISL Alpha helmet; the passenger in the front cockpit was not wearing a helmet.
G-IIEX’s pilot sustained a fractured left wrist and a cut to the forehead. The specialist concluded that the pilot had initially flailed forwards and to the left, causing the helmet strike on the canopy release handle and the left bracing tube. He then flailed backwards, causing the helmet strike on the A-frame. The specialist noted that the helmet was designed to conform to British Standard BS6658 (with reservations), which is similar to that worn by UK military fast-jet aircrew and affords the same protection standard. He judged that, while the impacts may have caused the pilot to lose consciousness, the helmet had prevented significant head injury."
Madbob:
Technically not correct.
An airplane helmet is designed differently to that of a helicopter helmet based upon the "typical" impact of each type. While they are interchangeable, it would be recommended to wear the correct type for the aircraft being flown.
helmets don't care whether you're flying FW or RW and are there to do the same job!
An airplane helmet is designed differently to that of a helicopter helmet based upon the "typical" impact of each type. While they are interchangeable, it would be recommended to wear the correct type for the aircraft being flown.
John:
I don't see a problem with it, assuming your peripheral vision is not obstructed. Certain contracts however do specify which are "approved" helmets--USFS for example.
I am still not clear why an open-face motorcycle helmet would be a bad choice (plus coms, of course).
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Gordy
My thoughts too. MC or rally (car) helmet much more substantial than the helicopter lids I have seen (not many... one make actually), comfortable for long periods. With correct coms and no contract rules stipulating what you can use it should be ok.
My one thought against is that it may be difficult to get decent coms / ear protection. One would have to go for active noise cancelling as there isn't enough space for large padding.
My thoughts too. MC or rally (car) helmet much more substantial than the helicopter lids I have seen (not many... one make actually), comfortable for long periods. With correct coms and no contract rules stipulating what you can use it should be ok.
My one thought against is that it may be difficult to get decent coms / ear protection. One would have to go for active noise cancelling as there isn't enough space for large padding.
Put comms into one of these airoh helmets, very light and good helmets, and the cost would be less than 30% of the "helicopter" helmets including the comms
this one with dual visor
this one with dual visor
I don't know to what standards pilot's helmets are constructed, but there is a variation in motorbike helmet standards around the world, reflected in the individual state's approval stamp.
We are "disadvantaged" in Australia as to what helmets are (legally) available for on road motorcycle use. AS (Australian Standards) have a significantly thicker shell requirement to most other major states (EU, USA, etc) and do not allow helmets to be used on road without the AS/NZ 1698 label. NZ, by comparison, will accept EU and USA labels. The outcome is that major helmet manufacturers no longer produce helmets for the Australian market, due to compliance costs, and that compliance is (basically) a stronger, thicker shell construction to the one used in the Northern Hemisphere.
Relevance to this thread? Not sure, but if you're seriously looking at a motorbike helmet as an alternative to a pilot's helmet (most of which were/are designed to quite high military specs) you may not get the same level of protection
We are "disadvantaged" in Australia as to what helmets are (legally) available for on road motorcycle use. AS (Australian Standards) have a significantly thicker shell requirement to most other major states (EU, USA, etc) and do not allow helmets to be used on road without the AS/NZ 1698 label. NZ, by comparison, will accept EU and USA labels. The outcome is that major helmet manufacturers no longer produce helmets for the Australian market, due to compliance costs, and that compliance is (basically) a stronger, thicker shell construction to the one used in the Northern Hemisphere.
Relevance to this thread? Not sure, but if you're seriously looking at a motorbike helmet as an alternative to a pilot's helmet (most of which were/are designed to quite high military specs) you may not get the same level of protection
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For comms in a motorcycle helmet, look at CEP. You won't have to install earphones, just the CEP jack, and the CEP will provide the audio. You will have to add a microphone, and that can be a little tricky, but with the proper parts, it's not too difficult. You'll need a boom, a mike, and an attachment fitting, along with a 4-conductor cord and a plug, and wires in the helmet to get everything to the right place.
I use CEP in my SPH5, and wouldn't be without them. You can find them at this site.
I use CEP in my SPH5, and wouldn't be without them. You can find them at this site.
Hands up all those who want to fly in a home-build, put together with no compliance standards?
I know that some people do just that...but not moi.
Why would you want to design and build your own helmet without a simple understanding of the basic design standards for flight helmets? I dont have that understanding, so I trust in the existing manufacturers and the free market competition to produce competing helmets that meet set standards (of some official recognition). That competition should ensure that the prices are as reasonable as they could be whilst meeting the specs.
If a helmet is accepted by the Defence Force of my country, I can be reasonable assured that it will have been through a rigorous standards audit and I can be confident that it will do the best job for me. That will include at least the following:
Visor will be non shaterring and almost unbreakable (sunglasses are not!)
Visor will be tested to ensure colour perfection (sunglasses are not!)
Noise attenuation will be rigorously examined (bike helmets are not)
Shell will have demonstrated impact standards
Shell will have demonstrated helicopter specific standards (such as roll over protections - unlike fixed wing helmets)
Shell system will be specifically designed to accommodate NVG
Now if any of you can do that for under $3000, I would be amazed!
Someone who bangs on about safety all the time cannot be really taken seriously when wearing a home made helmet. $3000 is worth my noggin.
I know that some people do just that...but not moi.
Why would you want to design and build your own helmet without a simple understanding of the basic design standards for flight helmets? I dont have that understanding, so I trust in the existing manufacturers and the free market competition to produce competing helmets that meet set standards (of some official recognition). That competition should ensure that the prices are as reasonable as they could be whilst meeting the specs.
If a helmet is accepted by the Defence Force of my country, I can be reasonable assured that it will have been through a rigorous standards audit and I can be confident that it will do the best job for me. That will include at least the following:
Visor will be non shaterring and almost unbreakable (sunglasses are not!)
Visor will be tested to ensure colour perfection (sunglasses are not!)
Noise attenuation will be rigorously examined (bike helmets are not)
Shell will have demonstrated impact standards
Shell will have demonstrated helicopter specific standards (such as roll over protections - unlike fixed wing helmets)
Shell system will be specifically designed to accommodate NVG
Now if any of you can do that for under $3000, I would be amazed!
Someone who bangs on about safety all the time cannot be really taken seriously when wearing a home made helmet. $3000 is worth my noggin.
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Why re invent the wheel?
To pull in a few recent quotes :
It's in your best interest to wear a helmet, no question.
even if you're not REQUIRED to wear one.
An airplane helmet is designed differently to that of a helicopter helmet based upon the "typical" impact of each type.
...... the cost would be less than 30% of the "helicopter" helmets including the comms
Is the relatively marginal saving, compared with the cost of a "proper" aircraft helmet, ( and considering the total cost of operating your particular ride ) worth the RISK of finding out the hard way that the motorcycle / rally / bicycle / skateboarding helmet you used / modified to save a few pounds, leaves you with a fractured skull / broken neck ( or worse )
?OK, so a decent helmet will set you back around £1500 or so - but if you reckon on it lasting 10 years, it works out at £12.50 a month - I pay way more than that each month to watch Sky telly
( Another proven method of damaging one's brain 
)