Helmets - Should you? and Which?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Alderney or Lancashire UK
I tried it. I put my (full face)shoei on and went for a quick fly about. Hopeless. no attenuation of low frequency noise at all and totally horrid in a hot cockpit with the visor down. Was only up for about 3 minutes and that was too long. My Alpha is built for the job. No comparison, not even close, and it just felt wrong. Maybe an open face would feel better but I wouldnt even consider it. If you can afford to get a PPL and you want a helmet at all, get a proper one. The pain of the cost soon fades. I cant even remember how much mine cost.
I've said it before on this thread but its worth saying again. The Alpha tinted visor alone is enough reason to wear one.
I've said it before on this thread but its worth saying again. The Alpha tinted visor alone is enough reason to wear one.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 6
From: UK
My helmet was away for servicing and I had to use the spare headset. That was hard work, not only was I hearing loads of creaking noises the ANR and helmet normally filter out but also not being able to use sunglasses without it getting louder coupled with the fact that the sun manages to enter around the rim making it almost pointless of having the glasses.
If I ever leave my current job I hope I can convince my new employer to allow me to wear helmets.
If I ever leave my current job I hope I can convince my new employer to allow me to wear helmets.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Alderney or Lancashire UK
Two hours ago I had a very unpleasant experience. As I lifted to the hover and began to back out of a confined area I was stung between the fingers of my left hand by a HORNET!! I almost lost it. The pain was incredible and disorientating. I landed and killed the f****** thing. My hand is now hideously swollen and sore. I didn't see it or feel it on the collective until it stung me. I have seen them before under the canvas cover but not in the cockpit.
My helmet was stored in the aircraft and I hate to think what would have happened if it had been in there.
Just a thought. Check your helmet before you put it on particularly if you leave it in the aircraft.
Insects are on my preflight list now.
I'm still shaking - literally.
My helmet was stored in the aircraft and I hate to think what would have happened if it had been in there.
Just a thought. Check your helmet before you put it on particularly if you leave it in the aircraft.
Insects are on my preflight list now.
I'm still shaking - literally.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Cape Town/London
Is anyone else having a problem with their Alpha Eagle visor getting scratched all the time? I have already had one replaced and need another one. I live in Cape Town so it's a pain to get them replaced. My lid is two years old and it's been happening from new.
My mate also has one and he's gone through two already.
My mate also has one and he's gone through two already.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Over here
I once had a couple of mosquitoes get inside my headset, and remain quiet and unmoving until I was on short final to a platform, when they suddenly woke up and started buzzing and biting. Not as bad as a wasp, of course, but very distracting. I've killed a fair number of wasps and bees in the cockpit, but I usually found them before I cranked. A couple, though, started flying around when I started cranking, and somehow I managed to avoid hotstarting while keeping my attention divided between the TOT and the threat. I keep a pair of leather gloves in my flight bag for dealing with them, along with other tasks.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: n/a
Is anyone else having a problem with their Alpha Eagle visor getting scratched all the time?
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Variable
Farmpilot
I used an Alpha in SA years ago and wrote off a visor because that useless, flexible visor cover got pressed against it in my helmet bag and then scratched it as the bag got moved around.
I bought another Alpha Eagle a couple of years ago and for the above reason also got the NVG visor cover which is very rigid and I have not had problems again.
I used an Alpha in SA years ago and wrote off a visor because that useless, flexible visor cover got pressed against it in my helmet bag and then scratched it as the bag got moved around.
I bought another Alpha Eagle a couple of years ago and for the above reason also got the NVG visor cover which is very rigid and I have not had problems again.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Cape Town/London
It looks like most people are having problems with their lids. I'm going to 'chat' with headset services and see what they propose. It's now a hazard as I can't use the visor.
Will let you know.
Will let you know.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 2
From: In the air with luck
So jab farmpilot Daysleaper & a lot of others are saying is you were sold a product that had\ has a design fault, there is a cure but the manufacturer ignores the problem, (how many times have I heard "You are the only person who has complained") and we the user\ buyer pays,
Rely telling remark JAFO good customer relations, the cure is supply the device so as not to self destruct, if only one cover made there need not be a price increase due to inventory and manufacturing savings.
These are not cheap items, If your visor is being damaged by poor design \ manufacture COMPLAIN, Ask for rigid cover and new visors At no cost including shipping! & keep asking.
There are customers looking for helmets who will look at other options, or not buy one.
Rely telling remark JAFO good customer relations, the cure is supply the device so as not to self destruct, if only one cover made there need not be a price increase due to inventory and manufacturing savings.
These are not cheap items, If your visor is being damaged by poor design \ manufacture COMPLAIN, Ask for rigid cover and new visors At no cost including shipping! & keep asking.
There are customers looking for helmets who will look at other options, or not buy one.
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
I've found the same solution as jab: NVG visor cover is far more robust, and doesn't seem to have the same scratching problem on the visor as the standard piece of kit.
NVG one weighs more, unfortunately
NVG one weighs more, unfortunately
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Over here
CEP works for me. The combination of earplugs and having the speaker in the ear gives higher noise reduction than any ANR system, and excellent clarity. Plus, no need for batteries. The only downside is that it takes a few seconds longer to don the helmet, but even if you're in a hurry, it's not that much longer.