Great infos! Thanks to all!
I will try both!
....the bad thing: not easy to buy one in germany.... there are no dealer out there....
Germany is really not the home of helos, i have to get out of here!!!

Bellrider, why not visit HeliExpo?

You can also arrange to visit some helmet suppliers while you're out there.

Hi Bellrider
I had the same problem in Austria... if only there was somewhere you could just pop round to try them all on!!!
After a ton of research and asking everyone I could, I settled for the Alpha Eagle with a dual visor (dark & yellow) with a CEP kit for slinging doors off...
Go to www.aviationsurvival.com as tehy are really quick and helpfull. I tried various companies accross Europe but their response time to my requests was about the same time it took aviation survival to send me the helmet :ugh: Like they don't want the work here!
They will also send it through the post with a substantially reduced invoice so you won't end up paying a huge import tax :ok::ok::ok:

But, like others have said, the best is to try each one on and see if it fits YOUR head. Best I can suggest is to go visit the medevac guys as they will ostly fly with helmets and ask if you can try theirs on...

For the helo-drivers in Germany:

You can spend me a visit and try the Gallet 250 (Large) and the Gentex SPH4 (regular)-if you want..

Regarding the LH250:

I couldn't wear it straightout of the box. You need to spend some time setting it up with the right cushions inside. Took me about 10 flights until I got it right. I can now wear it for 8hours straight and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

I never got my old SHP4 to a comparable comfortable level.

Bellrieder:

http://www.aircraftsprucegermany.com/

only approved Gallet Dealerin Germany. Maybe ask him to bring one to the AERO this year?

Also be aware that thereare lots of fake Gentex helmet around in Germany. Even still sold atsome pilot shops.

Confirmed! :ok:

skadi

MSA Gallet LH350 volume control
 

Hi, I have a MSA Gallet LH350 without volume control and I would like to buy a plug-in volume control that works well with this helmet, somebody could help me?, where could I buy something like that in Europe?

GPA Helmets - Shop GPA Aircraft Helmets | GPA Riding Helmets

and then just use the comms from an old headset and you have a helmet for less than 500$

According to Ye Olde Pilot, helmets are a waste of time worn only by posers - maybe, but I would like clarification on something I was told if anyone can assist.

Before I bought my first helmet I was told that apart from being able to save your life in the event of an accident, helmets are more effective in providing noise protection than headsets.

It was explained to me that noise/sound is not only transmitted through the ear canal but that noise/soundwaves literally bounce off the human skull which can even amplify certain resonances. I was told that a helmet's outer surface is an effective deflector for a wide range of soundwaves and a significant improvement in sound protection when compared with a headset. I've also been told that a helmet is more likely to protect the wearer against the onset of Tinnitus.

Have I been told a pack of lies or do helmets in fact offer better hearing protection than headsets?

I do not have any documented evidence but I would agree with all that you have stated. With the visor down the sound protection is increase (from what I have witnessed).

I have been wearing one (with anr) for the past 10 years and would do everything to protect my hearing.

They also protect your noggin in the case of;

• Head Impact
• Bird strike (through the windsheild) whilst visor is down
• partial protection from FOD when outside the aircraft with visor down
• Would you ride a motorcycle without a full face helmet these days?

Cheers

For me, a constant wearer of prescription glasses, a helmet is simply much more convenient than a headset. I can keep debris out of my eyes and I don't have to swap from clear to shaded glasses every time the conditions change. Transition lenses are useless in the cockpit.

African Eagle

Wouldn't listen to Ye olde pilot he obviously is an idiot. I could give you the e mail addresses of 2 pilots who, had they been wearing a helmet would still have their flying licences and their health. Both pilots involved in crashes, both severe head injuries from the plexi glass, one in a coma for 3 weeks, 3 years later still cant walk properly and has trouble doing everyday things, now if that is being a poser well I would prefer to be a poser than being permanently disabled for life.
I have worn a helmet for 20 years and 7000 hours, still have perfect hearing, in fact AME says I have the best hearing of any pilot of my age he sees and that includes the fixed wing boys

Hughes 500 is quite right, the guy is obviously an idiot or just trying to be controversial.

1 - The benefits of wearing a helmet are obvious and irrefutable.

2 - The flying suits and helmets worn by Police Air Support units are not only worn while filming reality TV shows, they are worn ALL the time!

Ultimately no one really cares whether YOU choose to wear a helmet or not but personally I like mine and wouldn't be without it.

"Real pilots do not need the Top Gun kit" No, they probably don't need to carry out pre-flights or wear harnesses either... :ugh::ugh::ugh:

I'm not trying to be controversial just giving my take on a lot of the 'safety brigade' kit worn these days.

If you need a helmet in a 206 then you need one in a Robbo which is much more likely to be involved in an accident. Nomex flying suit? Better get one of those as well as the leather gloves.

If it's needed in a rotary wing then you need it in a fixed wing. C152 pilots learning to fly? Give them a helmet,suit,gloves,goggles,hiz viz.Where does it all stop? Parachute perhaps?

We have so many hi viz jackets now the fact is when I drive somewhere I don't see them. Cyclists wearing helmets are still dying.

My 70 year old neighbour mows his lawn on a ride on wearing protective headsets. He'll die long before his hearing or mower give up.

I got my helicopter license decades ago wearing shorts and a t shirt in a Robbo with no doors in Oz. I'm still here and would never wear that 'Kaptain Klown' kit as Vertical Freedom describes it so well on his thread.

Let me ask this question.

Should Vertical Freedom be wearing a jet jockey helmet with oxygen mask and a full flying suit with epaulettes?

Does my son need the Stig outfit to drive his small economy car?

No.

When you look at helicopter accidents there are very few if any where a helmet would save you.

Only he can answer that question.

For me the problem comes when you rubbish safety items such as flying helmets which serve multiple purposes including hearing protection, critical protection of vision in the event of a window break, protection from glare - some helmets have provision for multiple visors as well as general head protection.

You've got to look at the work you are doing. Maybe if you are flying tourists on a 30 min flight over the Barrier Reef you might not have the same need for a helmet as someone flying all day doing utility work such as sling loads or spraying or someone flying over rugged terrain where if you go down you know more than likely its going to be hard to find a flat spot.

Regarding Robinsons, I heard that some Australian muster pilots wear helmets and which I imagine is probably a good thing.

YOP,

What a load of twaddle you are putting up: I see your comment that you learnt to fly here in Australia, I wonder where you really got such a warped set of ideas regarding flying equipment?

Not every helicopter specifically needs a helmet to be worn, but a combination of task and type will dictate the overall requirement. Mustering in a Robbo, yes, joyflights no. Low level filming in a 206/350 yes, police ops in any type yes, firefighting in any type yes, and so on.

Your obsession with decrying the use of both safety equipment and your derision of those whose employment requires some form of uniform is laughable. I trust that one day you aren't exposed to an accident where the use of a helmet or the wearing of flame retardant clothing may have saved your life.

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?

In the case of most muster accidents a helmet or flying suit would not have saved the pilot.

I didn't say that, but African Eagle made a comment about wearing helmets (this is a helmet thread). Again you are attempting to highjack discussions and comments to suit your warped agenda, no-one but you has referred to 'top gun kit'.

Most images these days seem to support his observation about helmet wearing whilst mustering:

http://www.airtg.com.au/media/images...er-text141.jpg

Since you've edited your original diatribe, I'll add to my original response!

No-one but you is saying all muster pilots should wear full protective clothing, but this thread on helmets has discussed the value of wearing helmets in low level operations. Many years ago I was knocked unconscious in a low level filming crash where I didn't wear a helmet, it could well have affected my survival had there been a post impact fire.

Do I know how hot it gets in WA? I started my Oz flying in Derby in 1979, and was there again in a non-aircon S76 in January/February last year. Yes, I've a reasonable idea of what it's like. No-one but you has raised door off ops and last time I looked no-one had commented that it is unsafe. Indeed, I thoroughly enjoy having the doors off in hot weather, filming, photography, fire ops (Helitack bombing) and a myriad of other operations.

Most of which are carried out wearing the appropriate clothing for the task, including a helmet when needed. Regardless of the temperature.

Pilot in chopper crash has 'serious head injuries' - Queenstown News

I need to wear a helmet just to handle your posts YOP! :ugh: