Helmets - Should you? and Which?
 

I just wanted to know what the general feeling is amongst CPL(H)'s towards wearing Flight Helmets in civilian flight operations.

The CPL's I have spoken to share a common indifference towards a relatively inexpensive piece of kit which could save lives and/or eyesight in an emergency.

Whilst I am aware that in the UK at least the emergency services mandate the use of Flight Helmets (ALpha?), no one else seems to be that fussed.

Gven the benefits on offer, is it not time that there is an initiative to start thinking 'safety first'?

Yes, if only for the hearing protection. Mind you, then all the passengers will want one.

My 'Safety First' campaign starts with not crashing in the first place. I know where your coming from but on a hot day sat in a jetbox in shirtsleeves, open neck and helmet! I cannot see it ever catching on. Some of the young ladies on their way to Ladies Day at Ascot might definately have something to say about it!

Especially, if you were only wearing shirtsleeves, open neck and a helmet. I find trousers useful when in public!!

What about the safety of passengers? If a nice big bird comes through the windshield at 100 kts, it might be nice to be wearing a helmet.
Always difficult when dealing with VIP transport and they are asking: where's mine? or: why is that necessary?

I have only ever flown without a helmet when for some reason one has not been available.

I spent the whole time feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable without one, even at OATs up to the high 30's Centigrade and high humidity.

It's probably just what you are used to.

Oops sorry disregard. Just reread the original post - I'm not a CPL. Why don't ATPLs count?

[This message has been edited by ShyTorque (edited 20 November 2000).]

Sorry, I meant that some of those young ladies might object strongly to sticking their expensive hairdo into a smelly, greasy, sweaty, distinctly used helmet.......

a wirebrush and dettol will cure that, purplepitot!

Fishboy. I agree, I had a birdstike in a gazelle a few years ago. A sparrow got me right between the eyes. Luckily I had just put my visor down. I was sat in the back at the time. It went between the two crew in the front without touching them and I was covered in bird guts and perspex.

I reckon that a distinction should be made as the type of work involved. Most pilots in Australia will use a helmet for airial work applications. For offshore, police or emergency work it is also the norm.

There is often some contention as to whether a scenic flight or general charter pilot should wear a helmet. The thinking is that it may scare the **** out of the passengers if they see the driver wearing a bone dome. I tend to agree. but I guess accidents do happen.

Personally I don't wear a helmet on a normal passenger carrying charter, but find it uncomfortable not to wear one when I have a door off.

As to the temperature issue, we were often working in 45 degree heat chasing cows around and I never once thought that I would be more comfortable without the helmet on. Obviously the type of helmet plays a vital role in this.

Some contractual jobs require the passengers to be wearing helmets. On large government contracts the pax are issued with their own, and it is then 'unusual' if you don't wear one.

Purplepitot - No disrespect intended, but everyone 'plans' not to crash in the first place. Some day, you and I may not have the choice.
With that in mind, if a scenic pilot wants to wear a helmet then go for it.

cheers

My own personal preference is to wear a helmet whenever I'm flying, no matter what operation or weather. It offers me better hearing protection, as well as protecting whats in my skull. (although some might argue that there isn't much in there to protect. :) ) I've worn it during sightseeing flights, and have never had anyone comment. I have been asked by a few customers why I wear the bucket. I answered them that although the risk of an accident is very low, I prefer to reduce my personal risk a little lower. I also mention that it offers me better hearing protection. If my wearing a helmet is going to terrify a passenger, then they were more than likely scared in the first place.

Yeah it is hotter than a ball cap, but I can deal with that. In the winter it is much more comfortable, and in fact, it beats the hell out of a toque. (woolen cap to those who don't speak Canadian. ;) ) Frankly, I find headsets uncomfortable when I wear one for any length of time. I guess I'm just a big pansy. :) Oh well I can live with that.

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A professional isn't determined by the aircraft they fly, but by their attitude, and by their actions.

Randy_G

ShyTorque:

ATPL's do of course count! I was just being lazy

BTW, where are you based (US?)

PurplePitot:

Point taken about not crashing in the first place, but there may come a day when you have no choice. Similarly birds (of the featherd variety) tend to have a habit of not being considerate enough to get out of your way on EVERY occasion.

I can understand that pax with fluffy hair-do's aren't going to want to wear a bone dome, but let that be at least a CHOICE for them to make.

FloppyJock:

This is exactly the kind of example that gives food for thought

I did hear of an accident in the RAF where a Whirlwind or Wessex, on start up for an engine test or some other similar low risk task, developed such triffic ground resonance that it shook itself to bits, before even getting airborne.

The reporter got clocked on the back fo the head with a bit of blade, and mentioned that if he hadn't had his bone dome on he wouldn't have been writing the article.

That said, I don't wear one, but I guess in a Robbo you pays your money and takes your choice . . .

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I got bored with "WhoNeedsRunways"

Nr Fairy,You fly a Robbo you need a WHOLE BODY HELMET (in titanium if poss)
A wee joke fairy-boy
4R

EwanWhoesarmy, I found this in a back issue of TC's Aviation Safety Vortex:

Are Helmets a Good Investment?
You Bet They Are!

All hazards were identified in a thorough reconnaissance of the job site prior to landing and the identified hazards were again reviewed on the ground before starting the work. The sky was clear, wind calm, temperature 12°C and humidity 32%.

The spray job was in a rectangular 40-acre field with a power line on the west side running north and south and a row of mature trees on the north and south sides running east and west. A barbed wire fence surrounded the entire field.

The field was seeded to corn and the crop was about three inches high. The circumference of the field is bordered by a 30- to 40- ft. strip of barley. The chemical used that day was MCPA and we were using an ultra-low-volume application.

All equipment was tested before starting the work and both the helicopter and spray gear were operating as expected.

I flew one orientation pass from south to north (the longest side of the rectangular field), noting the power line, which was about 50 ft. away on my left. I turned right, away from the power line, and started to apply the product to the field. I had made three passes when I realised that I did not have enough product to do another full pass.

Because of the trees at either end of the field, I decided to spray a headland pass to give me more room to pull up at the treed end of the field. I figured I had enough product remaining to do one headland pass before heading back to refill.

I pulled up and flew out of the field to determine how best to approach the headland pass. Flying to the west would bring me too close to the power line at a high rate of speed, so I decided to fly away from the power line. I manoeuvred into position with the power line behind me. I had settled into what I thought was a stable hover but, as I moved slowly forward, I heard a loud bang and the helicopter started spinning violently. I closed the throttle and prepared for impact.

When all the parts stopped moving, I found myself partway outside the cockpit door opening (both doors had been removed) restrained by my seat belt. The top of the door frame had landed on the temple area of the left side of my head with enough impact force to dent the top of the very rigid door frame. I was firmly pinned under the machine between the door frame and the ground. I undid the chin strap and slid out of the helmet with little effort, as the helmet did not deform or compress enough to trap my head. There was a large black impact mark on the helmet but no visible damage. There is no doubt in my mind that my helmet saved me from serious injury and quite probably death.

When I originally considered purchasing a helmet, I was somewhat deterred by the price. It didn’t take me long to figure out that it was the prudent thing to do and now of course, I’m glad I made the choice—the right choice—to buy one.

We have a rigid policy in our company—no one will ride in or fly our helicopter without a helmet. We provide a generic style for our passengers to wear. We will not hire pilots unless they have and agree to wear proper head protection. I discussed this policy with another operator and he indicated that he felt he couldn’t legally force his pilots to wear helmets—something to do with their freedom of choice. Be that as it may, we remain resolved in our decision that it is our freedom of choice that helmets are mandatory if aircrew want to work with us.

Helmets save lives. In this pilot’s opinion, there is no acceptable substitute.

John Baswick



Cheers, OffshoreIgor http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif

Offshore,

Very interesting article, thanks for posting it. Do you yourself wear a bone dome?

I have been wearing a CGF Gallet helmet(lightweight) for most of this year (after trying Alpha and Gentex)with David Clark built in and I am very happy with it. I fly mainly corporate and although you get the obvious questions(ie. why do you wear one and we don't? etc. they do seem to understand that it is not only for my safety but for theirs as well I fly single pilot Ops.). It certainly improves in regard to hearing protection than the normal headset.
I also have a dark visor fitted and use this a lot even when the sun isn't out it's alot easier than trying to get your sunglasses out everytime.
Safe flying.....

[This message has been edited by Nomads (edited 22 November 2000).]

Nomad, I have the same helmet and real happy with it. Your point about the safety of passengers is the same I tried to point out earlier. I read a report about a guy flying a jetranger a couple of years ago. A swan, or something similar got him full in the face! he lost the use of one eye and was pretty badly bruised, he did land the aircraft. Had he not been wearing a helmet he would have probably lost both eyes, control of the aircraft, his, and his passengers lives, in that order.

I think this guy would have survived, if he'd been wearing a bone dome. Of course, it might have helpd if he'd been strapped in before he started as well.

http://www.basi.gov.au/occurs/ob199800442.htm

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I got bored with "WhoNeedsRunways"

[This message has been edited by The Nr Fairy (edited 24 November 2000).]

The use of helmets in other than pure RPT ops should be mandatory for both the pax and crew for a number of reasons.
1. the other person wearing the helmet might just be able to get you out of the wreckage prior to it lighting off.
2. The helmet usually provides a higher degree of hearing protection.Eh what did you say? Yes I fly helicopters, no I'm not in the artillery I just talk loud.
3. If you fly with the clear visor down you have a far greater chance of surviving a birdstrike or FOD in the eye.
4. Final point is that you don't necessarily have to crash to sustain a disabling head injury. Am aware of one crewdog that had his helmet split due to the pilot taking some extreme avoiding action to avoid bits of a yacht during a winch job.
In Dunnunda a number of helicopter users are providing helmets ( Gentex or similar) to their staff in particularly high risk enviroments, typically bushfire and national park work. The ground pounders are also being encouraged to wear their normal helmet (complete with fully fastened chinstrap so it doesn't blow off.)The chainsaw helmets with integral earmuffs and chin strap are becoming more popular. Some operating companies also supply helmets for higher risk task's however I would be reluctant to put on a helmet that is full of someone elses old sweat! Also if the helmet doesn't fit properly it can rotate forward if something does go wrong, effectively putting the lights out with the visor breaking your nose.

Best summarised as " Dont need the head, dont need a helmet" For Helo ops don't leave the ground without one.

SYD

Unless I've misunderstood information I've read, the noise attenuation of the average helmet exceeds that of most headsets. I have a Gentex SPH5, much lighter than my SPH3 but I've not been wearing it for the last few years since I've been flying offshore in a multi-pilot crew.
When I did wear it, I had customers balk at my helmet, while they were offered plain old David Clarks. My explanation that satisfied most complainers was that I sling loads - shortline, longline and aerial application, somewhat more hazardous operations and I'm just used to wearing it all the time rather than switching back and forth or carrying an extra headset for when I don't feel I need it. Most people accepted that arguement.
Biggest problem I ever had was getting my head in and out of the door frame of a 500 while longlining. I could never do it without banging my head pretty well every time and I'm just under 6 foot tall! But I still wore it and felt funny without it.
I don't think there is any question that helmets save lives and I will be happy to accept any mandatory ruling. For the passengers however, you'll need to find some kind of disposable headliner if it ever comes to that.

Ewan Whoesarmy:

In answer to your question, like Hoverboy, I too wore a helmet for many years (primarily in the Military, where the risk and exposure level was much higher than what I do now).

I stopped wearing my helmet when I came offshore, but I agree that the noise attenuation of a helmet far exceeds the capabilities of the 'David Farce'.

Besides, if you read some the responses to my posts, it seems I am so thick, that I don't need one!

Cheers, OffshoreIgor http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif

Well - it looks like I'm a minority here - I strongly prefer the comfort of headsets over helmets. Fortunately, my present position affords me that option.

For much of my career I've certainly worn helmets. I would never argue that headsets provide as much protection; indeed I'm aware of lives saved through the use of Kevlar helmets. However; many of us who fly SPIFR prefer to wear a headset. Why? It doesn't limit our periferal (sp?) vision in the cockpit.

Finally, I'm acquainted with a taller pilot whose head hits the overhead console of his aircraft when wearing a helmet - probably not the best situation. For this reason, he prefers the use of headsets.

In the operation I work for (UK-based EMS) both sets of crew [pilots and paramedics] wear Alpha bone-domes.
This doesn't upset the pax because a) They are too sick to care or b) This will be the one flight they have in a helo in their life and won't think about it.
Our casualties and pax wear headsets for the above reasons this is also why they are not issued with Nomex flying suits and goatskin gloves.
Think about the repercussions if we did otherwise.
Cheers,
4R

PS Ewan Whosearmy is the best handle in PPRUNE


[This message has been edited by 4Rvibes (edited 26 November 2000).]

There was a Wessex bingled on the tie down pad at Culdrose around 1970 or so, when the machine developed ground resonance whilst chained to pad. The pilot wasn't wearing his bone dome (tie down, no need.....) and was knocked unconscious when the HAS1 rolled on it's side, still turning with the stubs of the blades imitating a rotary hoe.

Eventually the fireys turned up and stopped the donk by squirting foam through the intake, then the driver was whisked away to sick bay and about 6 month's convalescent leave. Salutary lesson for most of us at the time.

However, in the bold world of commercial aviation, there's a time and place for everything, and sometimes flying VIP's in twin engine air conditioned comfort, with the old bars gleaming on a clean white shirt, isn't always a good time to put on a bone dome.

Down in the weeds chasing a car on a film job, slinging foam at a bush fire, lifting loads onto a city roof; definitely a hard hat job.

Horses for courses.

Hi

Thanks for your message regarding helicopter prints. Unfortunately there was an error on thesystem regarding my message.

If you are interested in the prints then send me an e-mail to [email protected] and I will send you relevant information.

Just for the record it is not a Lynx in Hong Kong but a Scout. Apologies....

Some details are as follows:

The Scout is in the foreground, with the Hong Kong and New Territories
outlined behind, also in one corner is the Hong Kong skyline as it was in
1991 (Bank of China Building etc).

The medium is pen and ink - traditional black and white. The size is approx
10'' x 8''.

Other pictures immediately available are; of the four main Army helicopters
which have been in service in Northern Ireland since 1969:- ie Sioux,
(Nightsun Role), Scout (Eagle patrol), Gazelle (Thermal Image - 'Finch') and
the Lynx (GPMG Role - with an inset picturefrom the door gunners point of
view).

The Hong Kong picture is a limited edition of 250 - the others (Nothern
Ireland background) are a limited edition of only 100!!!! - all prints are
approx 10'' x 8''.


Regards

Debs.

Outside of the military,the use of helmets is up to the aircrew or pilots,But having seen some of those crashes over the last few years i would use a helmet,Some companies now a days have to use helmets because of the health and safety act and the insurance firms also have a say.
If any of the CGF and GENTEX wearers out there read this can you e-mail me why you have chosen them to wear,

Many thanks
BN
[email protected]
:)

Helmet -> definately. If a pax asks why? I just ell 'em it's for the "cool" factor ...

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Marc

Flying Helmets.............
 

Following on from the Birdstrike article, it has got me thinking!

What is the best flying helmet/visor at the moment, I am a little bit loathed to lose the BOSE X but it seems to make sense if flying single pilot. Any ideas ??

Regards

HoverBover
And no Im not interested in the Roy Chubby Brown Jokes. hehe (UK joke only)

[This message has been edited by hoverbover (edited 07 June 2001).]

Alpha Helmets manufacture a good allround rotary helmet that's lightweight, comfortable and a reasonable price.

No, not flying helmets too ?

Birds are hard enough to avoid! :)

Yes, Alpha is one of the best.

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Marc

Have worn em all me life! 'A' without doubt is tickvg.

Hi HoverB,
That was the semi question that I thought would gain an answer, however all the pointers are to the Alpha Helmet, where would one find this item for sale? and at roughly what price, having said that my eye's are priceless.!

Try

http://www.headsetservices.com/frame01.html

Speak to the boys at Kemble, they'll do you a great job for reasonable buckshesh

Alpha is maybe a good helmet but have a look at a CGF Gallet helmet at www. gallet.fr
and have your own headset build in to that helmet. Best of both worlds.
Have flown with a CGF for over a year would not want to swap it for anything else.
Safe Flying.

More on Helmets
 

Would it not be a wonderful thing if aviation helmets were as comfortable as motorcycle helmets. My Arai bike helmet is so superior to my Alpha for noise suppression and comfort. Of all the products available Alpha are the best but the bike guys get a lighter, cheaper and more superior product for half the cost of any aviation offering.
Perhaps we should appeal to motorcycle helmet manufacturers to consider an aviation line?

Too true - with a dual visor Alpha running at close to £1000 nowadays, unfortunately Headset Services have a virtual monopoly.
An ex RAF Helmet Fitter recently tried to set up as a Alpha servicer, but was told he could not import part direct from Alpha and would have to source them from Headset Services. Guess who would get priority for spares.....

Zardoz

Our ASU has a Gentex Helmet on trial from the gentlemen you mention, if he's the one based in Kemble. The helmet, from the US, seems much more comfortable than the Alpha and the ANR version is hundreds of pounds cheaper than Headset Services can offer. We don't touch HS any more due to the poor unreliable service they gave us.

Try a CGF Gallet helmet, very comfortable and very light, dual or single visor, various colours and all the add-onns you could want. A bit expensive but well worth it. about $1100 USD form Merrit Apparrel in Florida.
hopefully you'll never need one!