Helmets - Should you? and Which?
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Well it is up to you. But comparing helicopters and cars is not really the same, the risk involved still make flying as dangerous as rally driving - and they do have 5 point seat belts, helmets and nomex suits !
And let me ask you this, would you say the same to your kid about bicycle helmet ? "Oh kid, you don't need that, I ride bikes whole my life with no helmet and am still ok!"
Fortunate for you, there was never a case where say, a bird strike incapacitated two pilots, so at least the other guy may land safely, when you hang in your seatbelt unconscious. I wish you won't ever experience such situation, stay safe !
And let me ask you this, would you say the same to your kid about bicycle helmet ? "Oh kid, you don't need that, I ride bikes whole my life with no helmet and am still ok!"
Fortunate for you, there was never a case where say, a bird strike incapacitated two pilots, so at least the other guy may land safely, when you hang in your seatbelt unconscious. I wish you won't ever experience such situation, stay safe !
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Helmets
"the risk involved still make flying as dangerous as rally driving"
If you feel that way maybe you should pack it in. Safer than driving and walking come to that.
I never wore a safety helmet as a kid nobody did and am not aware of any accidents that caused problems. My kids never wore them either.
And we climbed trees, without a saftey net.
You going to stop your kids going out in case they get hurt.
Lets all stay indoors all day in case we get hurt. It is easy to pick a particular case where a helmet MAY have helped as well as cases where they would not.
Fly comfortable!
If you feel that way maybe you should pack it in. Safer than driving and walking come to that.
I never wore a safety helmet as a kid nobody did and am not aware of any accidents that caused problems. My kids never wore them either.
And we climbed trees, without a saftey net.
You going to stop your kids going out in case they get hurt.
Lets all stay indoors all day in case we get hurt. It is easy to pick a particular case where a helmet MAY have helped as well as cases where they would not.
Fly comfortable!
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Well my dad always told me not climb trees... you bet I did, and got hurt many times. Never rode a bike with a helmet, although I was encouraged to, and got some bruises because of that. But those are acceptable risks, because it was only my neck on the line.
Now If I'm responsible for multi million dollar machine and 20 people on board, that's a bit different story. If you don't want to fly in immersion suit, even knowing that in case you won't have a raft, you will hit second stage of hypothermia in lest than an hour, well thats endangering everyone in a relatively small way. But risking being knocked out mid flight is what I call poor risk assessment.
I found the birds to be a major problem because of their unpredictable behaviour. It's not that one can see them before it's too late, there are no charts for their flying routes, and the altitude is also unpredicteble. for exeple Swans are found to travel between Iceland and continental Europe at altitudes up to 27000 feet. Goose flocks were find even higher, and so far the record of altitude goes to Ruppell's griffon, at 37900 ft - and that altitude measurement is very accurate, because at that altitude it was sucked into jet engine of a liner at 29 of November 1975.
If one will take time to dig into bird strike reports - will find that in case of crew member wearing helmet, and his visor down, was always able to control the aircraft. But in cases of not having visors down, there were some cases of knockouts, and blindness (both to windshield and bird parts hitting eyes). But no deaths... and this is different when we look at statistics involved bird strikes and pilot not having any protection. I didn't found a report that would say the pilot whose windshield was hit by a bird of enough energy to shatter it - was able to still fly the machine.
I'm not keen of taking such risk, and I wouldn't trust someone who's willing too.
Now If I'm responsible for multi million dollar machine and 20 people on board, that's a bit different story. If you don't want to fly in immersion suit, even knowing that in case you won't have a raft, you will hit second stage of hypothermia in lest than an hour, well thats endangering everyone in a relatively small way. But risking being knocked out mid flight is what I call poor risk assessment.
I found the birds to be a major problem because of their unpredictable behaviour. It's not that one can see them before it's too late, there are no charts for their flying routes, and the altitude is also unpredicteble. for exeple Swans are found to travel between Iceland and continental Europe at altitudes up to 27000 feet. Goose flocks were find even higher, and so far the record of altitude goes to Ruppell's griffon, at 37900 ft - and that altitude measurement is very accurate, because at that altitude it was sucked into jet engine of a liner at 29 of November 1975.
If one will take time to dig into bird strike reports - will find that in case of crew member wearing helmet, and his visor down, was always able to control the aircraft. But in cases of not having visors down, there were some cases of knockouts, and blindness (both to windshield and bird parts hitting eyes). But no deaths... and this is different when we look at statistics involved bird strikes and pilot not having any protection. I didn't found a report that would say the pilot whose windshield was hit by a bird of enough energy to shatter it - was able to still fly the machine.
I'm not keen of taking such risk, and I wouldn't trust someone who's willing too.
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you would not trust someone who did not want to wear a helmet or immersion suit, you sure you are on the right website. Never heard so much rubbish in my life.
You sure you are a professional pilot. Bit of a difference between a jet travelling at 470knots+ at 250 feet and normal commercial helicopters cruising around at 1500 feet plus. This can go on and on, are fixed wing pilots wearing helmets and immersion suits as they could come down in the sea or get a bird strike.
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You sure you are a professional pilot. Bit of a difference between a jet travelling at 470knots+ at 250 feet and normal commercial helicopters cruising around at 1500 feet plus. This can go on and on, are fixed wing pilots wearing helmets and immersion suits as they could come down in the sea or get a bird strike.
.
Last edited by OffshoreHeli; 5th Aug 2008 at 21:13.
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Let me brake your post and answer things separately:
That is common misconception, there is actually no difference. In both Helicopters and Jets, windshields have to withstand hits of similar birds at cruise speeds. The problem is - helicopters have much slower cruise speed, which leads to weaker windshields:
Slower speeds and huge blender above don't make you invulnerable to birds !
I don't trust anyone who don't want to use protective equipment which use can save people he is responsible for.
If you're doing long line - have it you way. But if I'm your pax, and you refuse to wear something that may prevent you from becoming unconscious mid flight, than hell will freeze over before I can tell I trust you. The immersion suit is also your thing... as long as I don't need you in good shape while drifting in the sea.
Never said I was 
Originally Posted by OffshoreHeli
Bit of a difference between a jet travelling at 470knots + and helicopters cruising around.
Slower speeds and huge blender above don't make you invulnerable to birds !
Originally Posted by OffshoreHeli
you would not trust someone who did not want to wear a helmet or immersion suit, you sure you are on the right website.
If you're doing long line - have it you way. But if I'm your pax, and you refuse to wear something that may prevent you from becoming unconscious mid flight, than hell will freeze over before I can tell I trust you. The immersion suit is also your thing... as long as I don't need you in good shape while drifting in the sea.
Originally Posted by OffshoreHeli
You sure you are a professional pilot.
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Helmets
Well go find a website for non pilots.
This is a Professional PILOTS website.
So you will always fly with 2 pilots in case of 1 becoming incapacitated and 2 engines will you.
Slower speeds and huge blender above don't make you invulnerable to birds !
Never said they did.
Best you stay indoors.
Do not accuse me of ever neglecting my passengers just because I do not wear a helmet, I have been doing this job along time.
Best you do not get a job Offshore as we are all the same.
This is a Professional PILOTS website.
So you will always fly with 2 pilots in case of 1 becoming incapacitated and 2 engines will you.
Slower speeds and huge blender above don't make you invulnerable to birds !
Never said they did.
Best you stay indoors.
Do not accuse me of ever neglecting my passengers just because I do not wear a helmet, I have been doing this job along time.
Best you do not get a job Offshore as we are all the same.
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Helmet Agents In Oz
I know the subject has probably been done to death but being a slab wing driver I don't often keep an eye on this forum and the search function was just way too long to trawl through.
Who are the agents for the various brand of helmets in oz (WA if any) or where are the best places to look on the net. My old gentex is past retirement age.
The brands that I am aware of are Gallet,Gentex, and Alpha are there any others?
Thanks
Who are the agents for the various brand of helmets in oz (WA if any) or where are the best places to look on the net. My old gentex is past retirement age.
The brands that I am aware of are Gallet,Gentex, and Alpha are there any others?
Thanks
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Have a look at www.flighthelmets.com.au
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Gentex agent
G'Day,
Contact Graham Chappell [[email protected]] to get the latest prices in Oz on Gentex. Don't go to the US site, all you'll do is get upset by how much we are getting ripped off over here in our little country of Oz.
The Gallet and Gentex are so close together the coincidence is frightening!
Cheers
Contact Graham Chappell [[email protected]] to get the latest prices in Oz on Gentex. Don't go to the US site, all you'll do is get upset by how much we are getting ripped off over here in our little country of Oz.
The Gallet and Gentex are so close together the coincidence is frightening!
Cheers
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Oz Helmets.
I have bought 2 Gentex 56 over the last few years, both from the states. Both were considerably cheaper than paying through the nose via an Oz distributor. Brand new Gentex 56 via the states about $1050 USD versus over $3000AUD for an Alpha Eagle supplied in in Oz.
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I have been employed as a Life support technician for a fair few years, and in my current role have a lot to do with flying clothing, and just as a bit of advice for all you guys out there, keep away from Gentex! they offer less protection than a bobble hat! just bubble wrap melted into a shell. The Helmets I personally reccomend are alpha helmets
Safe Flying
P.S. If anyone wants to employ me im available in NOV
Safe Flying
P.S. If anyone wants to employ me im available in NOV
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wow...great advice
'...keep away from Gentex! they offer less protection than a bobble hat! just bubble wrap melted into a shell. The Helmets I personally recommend are alpha helmets 
'
Thanks for that, winch wannabee...
My old Alpha was pretty cool, but with my new Gentex, I like the thought of those earcups being first on the scene of the accident...
rofl
'Thanks for that, winch wannabee...
My old Alpha was pretty cool, but with my new Gentex, I like the thought of those earcups being first on the scene of the accident...
rofl
Last edited by Delta Torque; 11th Sep 2008 at 22:22.
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Gentex Bashing?
Whoaa there Winch Wannabee! 
"Gentex helmets are as good as bubble wrap" are they?
Try telling that to just about everyone flying or in a heli in the US mil and Coastguard.
Before you start gobbing off about what's good and what's not in the safety helmet world, have a good look at the developement research and stats.
Lots of guys in the industry have worn all the different types over the years and most will tell you they are all pretty much on a par in terms of protection standards. Alphas are a great product and I've worn a few but it largely comes down to personal preference. Try a few different types over a few years and then make a valued and informed decision.
"Gentex helmets are as good as bubble wrap" are they? Try telling that to just about everyone flying or in a heli in the US mil and Coastguard.
Before you start gobbing off about what's good and what's not in the safety helmet world, have a good look at the developement research and stats.
Lots of guys in the industry have worn all the different types over the years and most will tell you they are all pretty much on a par in terms of protection standards. Alphas are a great product and I've worn a few but it largely comes down to personal preference. Try a few different types over a few years and then make a valued and informed decision.
I did. The -4 is a good lid, made better with comfort additions from Oregon Aero (hush kit, Zeta liner, ear seals). I've since replaced mine with a lighter SPH-5 and passed my -4 along to a friend who recently started his training.
