What the latest on helmets?
tigers2007, did you get the Pro Tec Bravo half shell?
Does anyone know if the Pro Tec will work with Zulu2? I saw a post saying it will not work with the A20. Wondering why it will work with some headsets (like the DC pictured) and not others.
Zane, how do you like flying with the Sport Link Detach?

Yes, you'd be a total geek! I wear one almost every flight, cheap at around $200 headset fits underneath it, just tell them which kind you use, from a place called Sportlink. Probably not the best possible helmet but no doubt better than nothing.
http://www.sportlinkcommunications.com/ ... e&Itemid=1

skywaggin wrote:What the latest on helmets?
tigers2007, did you get the Pro Tec Bravo half shell?
Does anyone know if the Pro Tec will work with Zulu2? I saw a post saying it will not work with the A20. Wondering why it will work with some headsets (like the DC pictured) and not others.
Zane, how do you like flying with the Sport Link Detach?

Paco said it... The Sportlink Detach is great. About the most dangerous thing is other pilots making fun of you around the airport. They can suck it. I use mine with a Zulu 1, but the only change is the shape and depth of the headband channel, which i don't think is terribly different for the Zulu 2.

When you order, you give the guy your head dimensions so he can verify you're ordering the right size.

Never seen anyone wear a helmet. I think if I saw someone put a helmet on in a closed cockpit I would be right right over there asking......holy shit, what are you about to do?

Terry wrote:Never seen anyone wear a helmet. I think if I saw someone put a helmet on in a closed cockpit I would be right right over there asking......holy shit, what are you about to do?

And that is generally the reaction from most people, but it's only because helmets haven't really ever been embraced in general aviation. The impression is that because someone is wearing a helmet, they must be preparing to take additional risk. That's just not the case for me. In my perception, it's like carrying a PLB, or wearing a survival vest. No helmet can protect you from stupidity, or from a real high energy crash. However, it can keep you conscious post-crash to crawl out of a fuel-soaked airframe, or even keep you from bumping your noggin so hard in turbulence that your eyes cross.

Many very survivable crashes end up tragic because of something like a head injury that kills or ruins the pilot's life. Berk for instance-- The BCPer that crashed during the 2007 fly-in at Big Creek. Supposedly his injury was bouncing his head off the door frame of his Cessna. He died of cerebral hemorrhage or whatever it is that gets you when you whack your head. His wife survived.

For guys like us, flipping over is a seriously possibility, probably more so than stall/spin or CFIT. I know of a guy who flipped his plane, took a hard one on the head from a fuselage tube, and had headaches and nausea for months afterward. I would hope the helmet would help prevent that.

That's all.

Here here....

I have been wearing my helmet every time I fly. Its super light, very comfy, was cheap, and its super easy. I get lots of funny looks, but I kind of enjoy the jeering.

One of the hats I wear is as a Paramedic in a real busy urban system. After seeing the things I have seen over the years, I will keep wearing the helmet.

We're required to wear them (HGU-56/P) at work.

I haven't really worn any in civilian flying, but I'm putting an order in for a crapload of the helmets like bigrenna's for my FARP personnel. They sent us a demo and it's pretty comfortable. I'm thinking about ordering one for myself once I get more time for more fixed-wing flying.

bigrenna wrote:Here here....

I have been wearing my helmet every time I fly. Its super light, very comfy, was cheap, and its super easy. I get lots of funny looks, but I kind of enjoy the jeering.

One of the hats I wear is as a Paramedic in a real busy urban system. After seeing the things I have seen over the years, I will keep wearing the helmet.

What kind of helmet is that bigrenna?

David

where there is confusion there is money to be made.

A1Skinner wrote:

bigrenna wrote:Here here....

I have been wearing my helmet every time I fly. Its super light, very comfy, was cheap, and its super easy. I get lots of funny looks, but I kind of enjoy the jeering.

One of the hats I wear is as a Paramedic in a real busy urban system. After seeing the things I have seen over the years, I will keep wearing the helmet.

What kind of helmet is that bigrenna?

David

Its' a Protec. Its mentioned on this thread on page two I think...

Thanks

where there is confusion there is money to be made.

bigrenna wrote:Here here....

I have been wearing my helmet every time I fly. Its super light, very comfy, was cheap, and its super easy. I get lots of funny looks, but I kind of enjoy the jeering.

One of the hats I wear is as a Paramedic in a real busy urban system. After seeing the things I have seen over the years, I will keep wearing the helmet.

And the clothespin?? Memory aid or...?

L-19 wrote:
And the clothespin?? Memory aid or...?

The previous owner had a ton of them in the cockpit. I laughed at first, but I kind have grown fond of them. I use it to remind me the fuel is off. I trying to figure out whey there were ten of them. Maybe he did his laundry on cross countries?

G-

Terry wrote:Never seen anyone wear a helmet. I think if I saw someone put a helmet on in a closed cockpit I would be right right over there asking......holy shit, what are you about to do?


Happens all the time! I just say; "I am about to attempt to fly! You should watch it may be entertaining."

S7Paco wrote:Terry wrote:Never seen anyone wear a helmet. I think if I saw someone put a helmet on in a closed cockpit I would be right right over there asking......holy shit, what are you about to do?


Happens all the time! I just say; "I am about to attempt to fly! You should watch it may be entertaining."

Or... "I've never done this before, you might want to stand behind those trees."

This is what I have been wearing. Same as what Brett had shown. It's a Protec A-Alpha. I removed the top pad and my ANR David Clarks fit right in perfectly. I did try it with the Lightspeeds, but they really dont work.

I drilled two holes on each side so I could zip tie the headsets to the helmet. This makes it easy to put it on and off as one, rather than putting on the headsets first, then the helmet.

Works great.

Remember that a helmet is useless without the inner foam. The outer shell is simply to protect the inner foam from gouges and penetration. The thing that protects your head is the sacrificial deflection of the foam, and only once at that. Many helmet manufacturers say that once a helmet has sustained a hard impact, it's done.

I was hit by a car on my BMX bike once several years ago, hard enough that I flipped me up into the air and I lawn darted onto my head. It put a big crack in the helmet foam. Tossed it in the garbage, it did its job.

Removing a channel just large enough for the headset band is ok, as long as the foam above and around your head remains.

I used to use Pro-Tec helmets years ago when I was into bmx dirt jumping and mountain biking, but they are crappy helmets with their open cell foam. Durable, but just not as effective at protecting the valuables. The injection molded foam is the only way to go.

Agreed... I only removed the small center pad so the headset band could fit in. The front and rear OEM padding is still inside. What gets removed is flimsy open cell foam anyway.

Needs a visor, for the sun. Looks pretty cool otherwise. I don't think people would laugh if I wore a helmet, ain't none around most of the time.

Terry wrote:Never seen anyone wear a helmet. I think if I saw someone put a helmet on in a closed cockpit I would be right right over there asking......holy shit, what are you about to do?

Latest Medallion Foundation advert contains a picture and quote of Paul Claus where he promotes wearing a helmet when flying. He does more "off road" flying than most anyone, but he's also about as experienced at it as anyone.

Good advice, and its free.

MTV

***THREAD HIJACK***

Here is some more free advice:

Don't drink alcohol
run w/scissors
eat fast food
ride bikes, ski, play sports w/no helmet
drive fast
play in avalanche country
swim or boat w/out wearing a life jacket
shoot or be around loud noises w/out ear and eye protection
go anywhere w/out a gun
text while driving
speed
fly w/out a 406 PLB/ELT
fly w/out a wing man or letting someone know your route
don't drop the soap if your in jail
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS FLY NOSE WHEELS OR DRIVE FORDS

***HIJACK OVER*** we now return you to your regularly scheduled program.***