Toddlers Flying
 

Hi everyone. I have a 20-month old daughter. We took her flying when she was about 17 months old. She didn't mind the flight, but she really struggled to keep her headsets on. I'm worried if she takes them off it may damage her ears. Any suggestions or experience with this? Hoping by the time she is 2 or 2.5 that it won't be as much of an issue...?

We've tried basic children's headphones that one would use for lawn mowing, etc., and have also tried the bose A20 hoping that if she could hear me she'd want to keep them on, but that certainly was not the case.

I take her every few weeks right now to the helicopter to just sit in it on the ground and practice wearing headsets, but she takes them off after a a few seconds.

JOKE Headsets? Why. bother? In 10 years she’ll no longer be listening to you anyway! JOKE OVER.
. Hope you find a solution and post what it is. Earplugs or earbuds until.such time as she will accept the headset perhaps?
What is the DB level in your aircraft? Perhaps your aviation Dr. or her Dr can provide insight.
I woluld be more concerned later on as she blasts music from. her Iphone through headphones at DB levels that would stun a rat at 50 paces.

The solution is to stop taking toddlers.
Who are you really doing this for?
Your fun and enjoyment and the oh-so-cute factor?
A child that young clearly has no concept of why is going on.
Wait till they’re 5-6-7 and show interest and can follow basic instructions and they have an idea of what’s happening.
This may sound harsh but think about it.
Wearing ear protection clearly causes discomfort to a child that can’t articulate it.

Mostly so that I can still go flying on weekends and don't leave my wife at home with all the kids. Clearly it is expected that having kids would make it more difficult to go flying, but was hopeful that it I would be able to take her with me on a weekend trip to give my wife a break.

Earplugs is a good idea. She never takes her toque off so could perhaps try the earplugs underneath a toque.

Bell 505 so I think its around 90dB but I've never tested it myself. I've taken my helmet off in flight before and it is uncomfortably loud for me.

Duct tape..... Staples....

Hat, coat.....

I would agree. If you can afford a helicopter, you can afford a baby sitter or drop them off at the grandparents.

Leave the kid at home.

Also, if something goes wrong, will the kid be able to safely exit the helicopter on their own before it catches on fire or sinks in the ocean? Can they open a door and inflate their life jacket?

The risk of injury or fatality is far greater in a car than in a helicopter. This is not really a concern to me.

But it does seem the collective opinion here is not to bring her for a bit.

I wouldn't worry about it. I think you will find the noise level is not enough to cause any concern if flights are infrequent.
l have found most small kids/toddlers fall asleep pretty quickly once airborne. I did however once have a 5 year old on a vip transfer demand to her parents that we land immediately, big temper tantrum. We were 20 NM offshore at the time...

Our daughter first flew in a helicopter when she was just one year old, in a Bell 212. She was already used to fixed wing and a suitable set of ear defenders was not a problem, following a bit of fun play wearing them around the house. Don't deny your family the memories down the track, take your kid(s) along whenever you can as they do remember with a few photos in later years :ok:

After BigMike 's comment about landing, I did learn a lesson a few years later when she was in the back alone and had a major meltdown when she dropped a packet of Cheezles on the floor. Farmer's paddock landing, mate in the front hopped out and retrieved the snack, off we went again :p

A child that young needs an adult as direct supervision. There is no two ways about it and you as the pilot do not qualify. What are you going to do if the child undoes the seat belt and starts playing with the door handle. 2 year olds are much more capable than 18 months at causing mayhem. If the child can’t keep a headset on they are not ready to fly. If they can they still need another adult as supervision. As PIC frankly this should not need to be explained.
Not the answer it sounds like you want to hear no matter how much you want that to happen.

Memories yes, my earliest memories of flight are from about 5-6, part of the reason I’m a pilot now.
Not from 18 months and surely not from the first time I flew which was at 6 weeks :E
Rotor-fun, flying is your fun, take the time to enjoy yourself and recharge your batteries for another week of saving toddlers from killing themselves. Go alone or bring an adult rotor buddy.
Enjoy.

My younger kid also could not keep the headset on the head, the noise factor actually keep them quiet and behaved.
Invariably they get drowsy by 9700ft, sound asleep as we pass 10,000ft,. back awake like nothing hapenned as we pass back below 10Kft.
So precise, it could serve as my standby altimeter.

Afterthought, a child that young can’t clear their ears consciously or indicate motion sickness.
Or being too hot or too cold.
Lots of reasons.

Safer in a privately flown helicopter than a car?

I think you’re crunching the numbers in your favour on that one!

You certainly get your money’s worth here on PPRuNe.

Ask a simple question and get criticised and told how to run your life. :rolleyes:

Man, you people need to get out more and enjoy life.

Good on ya mate for taking the family flying, they will have some fantastic memories. And I'll put my hard hat on ready for the incoming.

Agree 110%. My kids can remember flights when they were very young, but as I said with the help of photos at the time. Basic common sense seems to have slipped by some of those posting here, and the value of family time also not always appreciated. rotorfun just go ahead and do it and let your wife and daughter be with you :ok:


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e2b7fd4ace.jpg

If you for example live in Alaska, taking your children at any age flying isn't even a question. It's just normal. You are not the first, with this problem.
If the child is in a good car seat, it can not open the restraint. It is designed like that. But there aren't many planes with isofix (none as far as I know).
As it is with adults, some kids like it, some could not care less, some hate it. At my first flight as the proud helicopter pilot dad, one slept, the other needed to go after half an hour. As long as they don't hate it, you'r good.
Therefore, going flying with the kids should just be normal. Who knows, one day, your daughter asks for the hangar key, instead the car key, and then you will be happy ...
Here is some information that might help:
http://thefamilyairplane.com/aviatio...sets-for-kids/