A nephew of mine is on a leisurely cruise in a small motorhome, headed to Arizona for the winter leaving the grey weather of SE Michigan in the winter behind (like I did a long time ago). Every few days he checks in and tells me lies, one email ended with "I've got the camper parked for the day, and am going to take the Beemer (one of those dual sport models) for a ride". He was in Florida somewhere. He's in his 40's and been riding for years, not a young punk.

A couple days later, another email " a car turned left in front of me and put me down, the bike got TOTALED, insurance is buying me a new one ( my input there) I sure am glad I was wearing my $1,000.00 helmet". Also a full set of leathers. Turns out his head took two hard smacks on the pavement, and it was, according to him, like landing on a pillow! Some kind of lesson there, in having the right equipment, and insurance. Hell I'm just jealous he is getting a brand dual sport Beemer

My rule of thumb for buying my helmet, how much is your head worth?

My first was cheap, after moving up to a good $$ one, it was night and day with comfort too!

Most of the studies have shown that high dollar helmets do not do a better job of protecting your head in a crash. They are more comfortable and have better ventilation and are quieter etc. I always bought top shelf helmets when I rode and felt it was worth it.

Well my head is not worth much, but I still like the few brains I have. So to avoid surviving as a gibbering idiot, I think research into what is currently the best bang for the buck is worth it. My flight helmet system cost well over $3k, custom kevlar, my torso may end up as sausage fillings, but my hair will be perfect.

I am a firm believer in helmets, I have taken several impacts with either cars or pavement on bikes, pedal, not motorized. The helmet made the difference. I keep one, I always took it to our bike outings with the Boy Scouts. It looks perfect, except for some rub marks. However, if you push on that spot, the outer cover has sprung back, the foam inside is crushed way in, like it should have. I most likely would not have survived without the helmet and if I had, I would have been little more than a meat puppet. I did have some world class bruises from that one. After the impact, I tried to do the tuck and roll upon contact with the pavement. Not being a good acrobat, my tucking made it so my first impact was with the front of my helmet. My body followed in kind of a body slam, ergo the bruises. Based on the helmet, I would recommend; not leading your dive to the pavement with your head.

Glad he's ok CG! Another good lesson!

This raises the question, do any of you all fly with a helmet on? (Outside of military applications of course). It seems to me that it would be niaive to think that bush flying isn't inherently dangerous. Would it be that much of a burden to buy a nice helmet with the intergrated comm?

I haven't bought my M7-235 yet, but after a good deal of practice, I'd like to eventually get out and play on the dirt strips around Knik glacier. Having been at ground zero for a crash here in Anchorage and having seen what a sudden impact with the ground can do to a pilot's face, I'd be open to getting one. Just so long as it's comfortable to wear.

Thoughts?

I forgot to include this link to the thousand dollar motorcycle helmet earler: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14 ... =30548&kw={keyword}&gclid=CNqYjf7-8LQCFal_QgodNj4A1Q

After the insurance company totaled the bike instead of paying the $8500.00 repair bill (turns out it's a road bike Beemer, with an inline 6 banger 160 horse engine ) a nearby Florida dealer had a replacement model on the showroom floor and some 4 days after the accident, my nephew is picking up his brand new (demo, got less then 500 miles on it) bike, plus a brand new helmet. He is, to say the least, pleased with his insurance company. Rather then having to hang around while the bike got repaired, he can now continue his road trip west with just a few days delay.

Tick wrote:This raises the question, do any of you all fly with a helmet on? (Outside of military applications of course). It seems to me that it would be niaive to think that bush flying isn't inherently dangerous. Would it be that much of a burden to buy a nice helmet with the intergrated comm?

I haven't bought my M7-235 yet, but after a good deal of practice, I'd like to eventually get out and play on the dirt strips around Knik glacier. Having been at ground zero for a crash here in Anchorage and having seen what a sudden impact with the ground can do to a pilot's face, I'd be open to getting one. Just so long as it's comfortable to wear.

Thoughts?

This should help

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6089&hilit=Helmets

Here's a modified helmet, I think Joel (Milloway) started with a bike or snowboarding helmet... anyway, very light and comforable. He may be gearing up to sell them, don't know but could find out.

That helmet above seems about right. I'd be looking for that balance between lightweight but safe enough. I don't think I'd wear some huge bulky mil-spec job. I know the quality of the stuff the military buys all too well.

Anyone have any experience with these guys?
http://www.comtronics-aero.com/helmets.php

Unless the same modification has been impact tested repeatedly, I wouldn't buy a modified helmet or mod any helmet. Once you start cutting on one there is no knowing what protection it provides.

littlewheelinback wrote:Unless the same modification has been impact tested repeatedly, I wouldn't buy a modified helmet or mod any helmet. Once you start cutting on one there is no knowing what protection it provides.

Agreed, BUT, probably a whole lot better then no helmet at all. That was the modifiers intent I believe. I'll ask him tomorrow maybe.

I would agree that "probably" it is better than nothing, but only probably. If that thing cracks in half and shoves a sharp piece of metal or plastic into your skull....Oh well, it looks good and I like the style and intent.

courierguy wrote:Here's a modified helmet, I think Joel (Milloway) started with a bike or snowboarding helmet... anyway, very light and comforable. He may be gearing up to sell them, don't know but could find out.

Now that looks exactly like what I had in mind to make up for a GA helmet. Maybe a with a tad more ventilation, but it's the closest thing to what I've had in mind.

littlewheelinback wrote:I would agree that "probably" it is better than nothing, but only probably. If that thing cracks in half and shoves a sharp piece of metal or plastic into your skull....Oh well, it looks good and I like the style and intent.

Sorry Littlewheel, the logic of this argument is weak. "If that thing cracks in half" it will likely have been because it struck a hard part of the interior of your aircraft, like a steel tube. Do you think your bare head would fare better without the helmet?

I've cracked helmets in bike wrecks. They're made to give way and do their job of saving your head from focused trauma. I'd rather see pilots wearing cheap helmets than nothing at all because they won't spend the money on a Gallet. All modern helmets are meant to be thrown away and replaced after a hard impact anyway.

Swingle had a helmet that he used with a Lightspeed headset in one (or a few) of his videos. Not sure what brand though.