Helmets - Should you? and Which?

[Marco]

Following on from Mitten's comments. We have an US Gentex helmet on trial from the boys at Kemble. Initial impressions are very good. Lighter and seems much more comfortable than an Alpha and much cheaper especially the ANR version.

Don't touch HS with a barge pole.

[hover lover]

Zardoz,
We might have something worthwhile to talk about, about helmets. Send me your email address.
Regards!

[Roofus]

Headset Services....<sheesh> Very poor service, very poor attitude, huge prices!!

If anyone does have other suppliers/ helmets I'd appreciate an E-Mail. I'd love to get away from headset services!

[huey3]

THE ALPHA FLYING HELMET IS AN EXTREMELY EFFICIENT HELMET, OFFERING EXCELLENT CRASH AND NOISE PROTECTION. WE SELL AND USE ALPHAS, BUT MY SUGGESTION REGARDLESS OF WHICH BRAND YOU USE, AS LONG AS YOU CHOOSE CORRECT FIT AND A GOOD QULITY HELMET, YOU WILL BE 'MILES IN FRONT' IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. YOU CAN GET INFO AT www.ozemail.com.au/~mcdav/
GOOD LUCK AND SAFE FLYING

[wolfshaun]

Whats the problem with HS - if it stands for what I assume they have alway been very helpful for spares for my old SPH helmet...

[ShyTorque]

Oh sorry, from the title, I thought this thread was about yet another Police Air Support TV programme....

"The Flying Helmets"

Heh, heh.

[Bingo fuel]

For those who are still looking,try the
following; WWW.SKYLINE-AVIATION.COM

Last thing I remember is that they now
have the ALPHA-helmet dealership.

This company is situated at Den Helder
Airport/De kooi in the Netherlands, right
next door at Bristow helicopters....

[Copter Cody]

Chopper Helmets

Im a new pilot and was wondering what type of head gear to get. Can you seasond chopper pilots give me a few pointers?

Thahks
Cody

[The Nr Fairy]

Yep. Read this thread: Flying Helmets... and then this thread: More on Helmets. Then read this accident report: Report into B206 accident at Mangalore, VIC. Then read this thread : Helicopter Birdstrikes?

My point ? From reading ( mostly UK and Australian civilian helicopter accident reports ), low speed accidents are unlikely to kill you if you're flying, unless you're not strapped in properly ( see the BASI report ). Birdstrikes are more of an issue - see the birdstrikes thread link above. However, read this accident report: Formal report into accident involving G-PLMA, an example of where safety equipment turned out wrong.

At the end of the day, whatever you decide, I'm not going to knock someone for wearing or not wearing a bonedome.

------------------
For the last bloody time, it's "The En Ar Fairy" . . .

[This message has been edited by The Nr Fairy (edited 21 June 2001).]

[Copter Cody]

Try this mate, Great top quality gear for un beatable prices for the quality

http://www.flightsuits.com/

[Copter Cody]

Thanks MR Fairy, What do you think about the SPH 5 's ? I like the looks and comfort but they're kinda like wearing a bucket. Not that Im not confident of my fling capablities it just a little re-assuring to know my nogin will be protected if a telephone line jumps up and grabs me or a tree and/or some kind of freak engine failure. Thanks again

Cody

[Copter Cody]

SPH- 5 Helicopter helmets

I was looking at purchasing a helo helmet and I was wondering what you more "seasoned" pilots thought of it. Im not really sure which is the best thats why i need your guys help to decide because im not really into throwing away $800 because of ignorance.
Heres a great site for pilot gear
http://www.flightsuits.com/

Thanks

Cody B

[Marco]

We trialed the mentioned helmet at our ASU recently. All were very impressed and much preferred it to the Alpha. The ANR version of the SPH-5 is much cheaper as well.

[This message has been edited by Marco (edited 30 June 2001).]

[advancing_blade]

Try this link for Government sales Inc:. I bought a new heli helmet from them three years ago, and found it to be much more comfortable than the Gentex SPH5 (quite a bit cheaper too). Get the leather liner, not the web, unless your flying in serious heat. Never tried an Alpha, but I've heard people rave about them.

http://www.aviationhelmets.com/helmet.htm

[This message has been edited by advancing_blade (edited 02 July 2001).]

[Copter Cody]

Thanks blade, wholy cow those are alot cheaper, especally the new ones. The price for them w/all comunications is the same price for the helmet and nothing else. That would save me about $200. Thanks man

Cody

[advancing_blade]

Cody,

I should have also added that the comms cord is a straught type ie not coiled like a phone cable. They offer (or did) two lenghts of cord. If the comms plug is low in your ship you will need a long one, or a self coiling extension lead would be better

[407 Driver]

I have also dealt with "Government Sales" for SPH-5 helmet parts, etc. They have a very good bunch of people, deliver high quality goods in just a few days, and the costs are so much less than the fine folks at flightsuits....
You won't go wrong with them.

[IHL]

If your just starting out and you plan a long career get a helmet that offers active noise cancellation. Though it may be quite a bit more money it will pay dividends when you reach middle age and you still have your hearing.

[Copter Cody]

Thanks, I'll give em i try, Do you recomend a brain bucket if im going into flight school next fall or is it too much of a distraction trying to listen to the instructor?

Cody

[Roofus]

I wear an Alpha.....always have. They're good..but expensive! Must admit to having never tried the others! The real downside of Alpha in the UK is Headset Services (the supplier) they are dreadful!!

I would vote against ANR. There are certain things a pilot needs to hear!

In a recent R22 crash, the fact that the pilot was wearing ANR was described a contributary factor!