Helmets - Should you? and Which?
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YOP, you are funny...
A good friend of mine was in a helicopter crash with one fatality, and he wore a helmet (Gallet 250), with his visor down.
The front window smashed to pieces, with debris flying everywhere, the helicopter rolled after impact.
After the accident he told me to always have the visor down (clear or shaded), that the helmet and visor really saved him that day.
I know there has been a few accidents in the old days with heavy helmets, where the crew broke their necks after survivable crashes due to heavy helmets. But with a modern helmet I can only see benefits.
Of course, one have to wear whatever one finds more comfortable.
I wear corrective lenses, so I find it more convenient with the integrated shades in the helmet, plus better hearing-protection (the glasses push the earcups on headsets out, letting noise in), and headprotection.
One don't have to crash to need a helmet eighter, there are birdstrikes and heavy turbulence also.
YOP, you sound like a guy that think it's rubbish to wear seatbelts in a car too. In Norway, 43% of the fatalities following a car-accident didn't wear seatbelts. That kind of says it all.
Besides, you need to wear a helmet if you are flying with NVG.
Nomex... We used nomex suits in my previous job, except when it was really hot (maybe a month during the summer, we are talking about Norway after all..
). At least it was a uniform that made us look proffesional, but it's also a safety item I wouldn't be without since we hot-refuelled several times a day.
Back to the helmet-discussion, it's pretty much personal preferences and what fits your head and needs.
I flew with a Alpha helmet for 9 years and love that helmet, and the ability to close the cups around your ears after putting the helmet on. And it's fairly light.
Now I use a Gallet 250 with integrated Bose A20 ANR headsets, and I like that one too. It took a bit more fine-tuning and modification to make it fit well.
In the S-92 it's pretty noisy, so it actually took out the ANR, before I stuffed the helmet full of noise-isolation plates (the ones you use in a car). After that, and after adjusting it to fit a bit tighter than perfect, it gives me far better noise-protection than the Alpha. I swapped back to the Alpha to compare on a few flights.
And in addition I use earplugs with 25 decibel filter, shaped after my ear.
But I can agree that in certain situations we are "securing ourselves to death", but I think that's more regulation-vice, that make certain tasks unneccesary complicated, instead of having SOP's that cover common tasks.
A good friend of mine was in a helicopter crash with one fatality, and he wore a helmet (Gallet 250), with his visor down.
The front window smashed to pieces, with debris flying everywhere, the helicopter rolled after impact.
After the accident he told me to always have the visor down (clear or shaded), that the helmet and visor really saved him that day.
I know there has been a few accidents in the old days with heavy helmets, where the crew broke their necks after survivable crashes due to heavy helmets. But with a modern helmet I can only see benefits.
Of course, one have to wear whatever one finds more comfortable.
I wear corrective lenses, so I find it more convenient with the integrated shades in the helmet, plus better hearing-protection (the glasses push the earcups on headsets out, letting noise in), and headprotection.
One don't have to crash to need a helmet eighter, there are birdstrikes and heavy turbulence also.
YOP, you sound like a guy that think it's rubbish to wear seatbelts in a car too. In Norway, 43% of the fatalities following a car-accident didn't wear seatbelts. That kind of says it all.
Besides, you need to wear a helmet if you are flying with NVG.
Nomex... We used nomex suits in my previous job, except when it was really hot (maybe a month during the summer, we are talking about Norway after all..
). At least it was a uniform that made us look proffesional, but it's also a safety item I wouldn't be without since we hot-refuelled several times a day. Back to the helmet-discussion, it's pretty much personal preferences and what fits your head and needs.
I flew with a Alpha helmet for 9 years and love that helmet, and the ability to close the cups around your ears after putting the helmet on. And it's fairly light.
Now I use a Gallet 250 with integrated Bose A20 ANR headsets, and I like that one too. It took a bit more fine-tuning and modification to make it fit well.
In the S-92 it's pretty noisy, so it actually took out the ANR, before I stuffed the helmet full of noise-isolation plates (the ones you use in a car). After that, and after adjusting it to fit a bit tighter than perfect, it gives me far better noise-protection than the Alpha. I swapped back to the Alpha to compare on a few flights.
And in addition I use earplugs with 25 decibel filter, shaped after my ear.
But I can agree that in certain situations we are "securing ourselves to death", but I think that's more regulation-vice, that make certain tasks unneccesary complicated, instead of having SOP's that cover common tasks.
Last edited by charlieDontSurf; 29th Oct 2013 at 19:27.
I investigated an AB412 accident in Southern Europe in August, where the single pilot was without doubt saved by his helmet.
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Having suffered a subdural hematoma caused by a fall unrelated to a helicopter, I would never do anything that might affect my head unless I wore a helmet - bicycling, hockey, and helicopter flying.
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One for Veterans Day.
Guts and gumption: Vietnam helicopter pilots wore their hearts on their helmets
Guts and gumption: Vietnam helicopter pilots wore their hearts on their helmets
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It's getting to the stage now where everyone needs a hard hat and a hi viz vest just to walk out the front door to park the rubbish bin.
Makes you wonder how they got through World War 1 and 2 without the safety kit and the inspectors/paperwork.
It won't be long before grandma has a SWAT jacket with all the tools.
What's next..rent a moped on holiday with bone dome and leathers?
Fly the Robbo with the clown suit,ribbons and hat. More chance of dying in the R22 than a turbine helicopter.
Turboshaft...
The helmets were worn in 'nam to deflect bullets. You don't find them whizzing past too much these days.I doubt most of the big mouth's here have ever been to Vietnam
What next...parachutes for all fixed wing pilots to complement their nomex suits and four bars?
Makes you wonder how they got through World War 1 and 2 without the safety kit and the inspectors/paperwork.
It won't be long before grandma has a SWAT jacket with all the tools.
What's next..rent a moped on holiday with bone dome and leathers?
Fly the Robbo with the clown suit,ribbons and hat. More chance of dying in the R22 than a turbine helicopter.
Turboshaft...
The helmets were worn in 'nam to deflect bullets. You don't find them whizzing past too much these days.I doubt most of the big mouth's here have ever been to Vietnam
What next...parachutes for all fixed wing pilots to complement their nomex suits and four bars?
YOP,
Give us a break! This is a thread about which helmet to choose, NOT if you like to wear it or not.
You can just continue to "drive'' your Robbie in your flip-flops,dirty T-shirt, homemade jeans-shorts and cowboy hat!
Give us a break! This is a thread about which helmet to choose, NOT if you like to wear it or not.
You can just continue to "drive'' your Robbie in your flip-flops,dirty T-shirt, homemade jeans-shorts and cowboy hat!
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From the Canadian accident report posted by Bertie Thruster -
Transportation Safety Board of Canada - Aviation Investigation Report A12O0030
Transportation Safety Board of Canada - Aviation Investigation Report A12O0030
The second most frequently injured body region in survivable helicopter crashes is the head. According to United States military research, the risk of fatal head injuries can be as high as 6 times greater for helicopter occupants not wearing head protection. The effects of non-fatal head injuries range from momentary confusion and inability to concentrate to full loss of consciousness. Incapacitation can compromise a pilot’s ability to escape quickly from a helicopter and to assist passengers in an emergency evacuation or survival situation. The TSB has documented a number of occurrences in which the use of head protection likely would have reduced or prevented the injuries sustained by the pilot.
In Canada, Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/2011-87) are issued pursuant to the Canada Labour Code. These regulations apply with respect to employees employed on board aircraft while in operation and with respect to persons granted access to those aircraft by the employer. Section 6.4 of the Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations states that if there is a risk of head injury, protective headwear shall be used. Although not required by regulation to do so, helicopter operators may conduct a risk assessment to ascertain the level of risk of head injury associated with their operations, to determine if headwear is required.
There is no CARs requirement for helicopter pilots to wear protective headgear. As most pilots flying for KMH voluntarily wore helmets, the company’s assessment of risk did not result in a policy requiring mandatory use of helmets. Pilots provided their own helmets, and the accident pilot was considering purchasing a helmet at the time of the accident.
In recognition of the benefits of head protection, a resolution passed by the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC) Board of Directors on 27 June 2011 stated that:
HAC strongly recommends to its Operator-Members that they should promote the use of helmets for helicopter flight crew members under all operational circumstances which permit their use. HAC also points out, however, that certain pilot/aircraft type configurations may preclude safe helmet use.
In Canada, Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/2011-87) are issued pursuant to the Canada Labour Code. These regulations apply with respect to employees employed on board aircraft while in operation and with respect to persons granted access to those aircraft by the employer. Section 6.4 of the Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations states that if there is a risk of head injury, protective headwear shall be used. Although not required by regulation to do so, helicopter operators may conduct a risk assessment to ascertain the level of risk of head injury associated with their operations, to determine if headwear is required.
There is no CARs requirement for helicopter pilots to wear protective headgear. As most pilots flying for KMH voluntarily wore helmets, the company’s assessment of risk did not result in a policy requiring mandatory use of helmets. Pilots provided their own helmets, and the accident pilot was considering purchasing a helmet at the time of the accident.
In recognition of the benefits of head protection, a resolution passed by the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC) Board of Directors on 27 June 2011 stated that:
HAC strongly recommends to its Operator-Members that they should promote the use of helmets for helicopter flight crew members under all operational circumstances which permit their use. HAC also points out, however, that certain pilot/aircraft type configurations may preclude safe helmet use.
Lol YOP
Crack on in your jeans and t shirt, I've had it with corprerate responsibility, liability and procedures over the last 10 yrs in my industry, I agree with been responsible but some risk assessments you have to deal with are complete bulls**t imagine someone telling VF he had to stop wearing his jeans!
Last edited by nomorehelosforme; 19th Nov 2013 at 23:54.
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I'm not so sure VF would look so good in his underpants
(But then again maybe a lot of females would disagree
)
He's got all the pix for a great calendar for next year
(But then again maybe a lot of females would disagree
)He's got all the pix for a great calendar for next year
YOP
Think you will find a helmet wont deflect a 7.62mm short round from an AK47 in Vietnam !! You really need to think about what you post as you are making yourself look like a complete p r a t
Think you will find a helmet wont deflect a 7.62mm short round from an AK47 in Vietnam !! You really need to think about what you post as you are making yourself look like a complete p r a t
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YOP
"I got my initial Aussie helicopter licence with Great Western Helicopters..Jandakot Perth 1989.
Are you now saying all muster pilots are wearing the full top gun kit?"
"Do you know how hot it gets in West Australia in summer?
Shade temps hit 40c every day. You'll be telling me next it's not safe to remove the doors?"
I was doing a UK to OZ heli licence at Jandakot about then , maybe it was the sight of me wearing my big yellow bonedome that put him off using one in a helicopter , cant remember if I was wearing the rest of the topgun kit
"I got my initial Aussie helicopter licence with Great Western Helicopters..Jandakot Perth 1989.
Are you now saying all muster pilots are wearing the full top gun kit?"
"Do you know how hot it gets in West Australia in summer?
Shade temps hit 40c every day. You'll be telling me next it's not safe to remove the doors?"
I was doing a UK to OZ heli licence at Jandakot about then , maybe it was the sight of me wearing my big yellow bonedome that put him off using one in a helicopter , cant remember if I was wearing the rest of the topgun kit
YOP
Guys, where is your sense of humour, the impression I get from YOP's threads are easy, each to his own regarding dress code and helmets, all dependent on your flying applications, I'm a mere pax and have seen all dress codes, personally been safe is the important part in my life.
Also this is not a thread about dress code !
Also this is not a thread about dress code !
There is no doubt helmets (may) save lives. 
The second last Helicopter crash in Nepal involving Italian registered VIEW an AS350B3+ The Pilot survived ONLY because of wearing his helmet which was totally destroyed following a roll-over to the right after a very high ROD ground impact.
Yet there are many accidents where lives are lost without the helmet saving anyone.
So the choice is the Pilot's &/or the company requirement. For slinging & the likes of working inside the HV area it is a wise move to wear one.
It is apparently another safety step which today is still an option
Which with all the minus's wearing a bone-dome does not guarantee safety, but may increase you survivability (maybe) 
Ask Capt. DS (above) he is alive today because he wore a helmet
& then ask Capt. RA who wore a helmet & yet still died in a Heli crash 
ask me; unscathed after 2 x engine failures, 1 x tail-rotor drive failure, 1 x wire strike & still here kicking after 23years in the game (never worn a helmet) 
It appears most survivable crashes do not require a helmet for the Pilot's survivability, it's only the occasianal odd crash where the helmet did it's duty in saving his/her life
Let the debate continue to rage..................................
Land Happy Always
The second last Helicopter crash in Nepal involving Italian registered VIEW an AS350B3+ The Pilot survived ONLY because of wearing his helmet which was totally destroyed following a roll-over to the right after a very high ROD ground impact.
Yet there are many accidents where lives are lost without the helmet saving anyone.
So the choice is the Pilot's &/or the company requirement. For slinging & the likes of working inside the HV area it is a wise move to wear one.
It is apparently another safety step which today is still an option
Which with all the minus's wearing a bone-dome does not guarantee safety, but may increase you survivability (maybe) Ask Capt. DS (above) he is alive today because he wore a helmet
& then ask Capt. RA who wore a helmet & yet still died in a Heli crash ask me; unscathed after 2 x engine failures, 1 x tail-rotor drive failure, 1 x wire strike & still here kicking after 23years in the game (never worn a helmet) It appears most survivable crashes do not require a helmet for the Pilot's survivability, it's only the occasianal odd crash where the helmet did it's duty in saving his/her life
Let the debate continue to rage..................................
Land Happy Always
Last edited by Vertical Freedom; 20th Nov 2013 at 23:36.
VF
Good input, my original question was based on me been a pax on short transfers, I've have rarely seen pilots on my charters with helmets, even with two pilots flying a twin.
I have zero experience with mil or off shore ops so can make no comment on that but guess in this day and age better safe than sorry, in my experience in my industry have seen a few lives saved with basic hard hats in the construction industry.
Guess different countries will have some compliance issues regarding helmets?
I have zero experience with mil or off shore ops so can make no comment on that but guess in this day and age better safe than sorry, in my experience in my industry have seen a few lives saved with basic hard hats in the construction industry.
Guess different countries will have some compliance issues regarding helmets?
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I don't agree with VF's comments.
Just because you've come through a bunch of accidents without head injury isn't justification for an argument which says wearing a helmet is of questionable benefit.
I've just posted comments by the Helicopter Association of Canada where they are saying,
Also, its not just aerial work for which helmet wearing is sensible but also flying single-engine over hostile terrain (such a mountainous regions) where a forced landing is more likely to happen on sloping ground.
What VF is saying is that he's tossed the coin and for him its worked out, that's fine but is this the best approach to safety?
Is this the message I would give to my son when there is a stack of statistics showing that wearing a helmet can save lives?
Each to their own. As for me I vote helmets.
Just because you've come through a bunch of accidents without head injury isn't justification for an argument which says wearing a helmet is of questionable benefit.
I've just posted comments by the Helicopter Association of Canada where they are saying,
"HAC strongly recommends to its Operator-Members that they should promote the use of helmets for helicopter flight crew members under all operational circumstances which permit their use."
What VF is saying is that he's tossed the coin and for him its worked out, that's fine but is this the best approach to safety?
Is this the message I would give to my son when there is a stack of statistics showing that wearing a helmet can save lives?
"According to United States military research, the risk of fatal head injuries can be as high as 6 times greater for helicopter occupants not wearing head protection."