Helmets

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 00:42

I've been watching a thread about Helmets over on Supercub.org. It comes up about once every year or so; the debate about how using a helmet is a good idea.

So here's my situation: During the Spring, Summer and Fall, I ferry a Super Chipmunk around the Airshow Circuit. Usually it's only 15-20 shows a season but I can rack up 200 hours in the airplane. Most of my flying in the airplane is at altitude (usually as high as possible 8-12k), but almost every trip their will be a section of crummy weather forcing me to get low and possibly scud run. (Now before you jump on me about scud running, understand I have my minimums and under NO circumstances do I break, bend or push them.) The Chipmunk acts like a Thoroughbred, a little quirky and difficult at times, but for the most part a very present airplane to fly. To compare the risk; if Crop Dusting and Low Level Acro was a 10 out of 10 (most risky), then I would call this 6 out of 10.

Lately I've been considering the need of better safety equipment while flying the airplane. I thought about a Parachute but honestly, I don't think I have the stones to jump. Maybe if there was fire or big chunks of airplane were departing. The other option is a Helmet, which makes more practical sense. I'm curious what you guys think about this. I didn't want to ask the guys on the SuperCub site, because they tend to over react and have a bias opinion. Some think that you should have a helmet, goggles, nomex fire suit, life vest, and survival vest, all for a little pattern work.

Thanks for your thoughts!

nkh

Post by **joea** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 08:39

Nathan,

Personally I would not worry about a nomex suit and so on, if its that dangerous you do not need to be to be flying.

Regarding the parachute, I jump for fun and have done so for 20+ years. If you are in bad weather and altitude and vis is coming down then you usually do not have altitude to jump. Still might be a good idea to have a backpack style chute just in case, as you never know. The plane goes through acro and something that normally would not cause an issue might be stressed to the point of breaking. It might not break right away and happen on the ferry flight.

How are your clearances on your head and the cockpit? Very close to the point of where a helmet would provide some safety? Personally I have worn them and not a big fan as they are heavy and hot. Ever thought of a leather or fabric version? Might look at that.

Joe

kevin mielke · Post by **kevin mielke** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 20:45

drink more milk and thicken your skull....you'll be fine

Post by **joea** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 21:08

Kevin,

If thats all it takes, most of us, especially Nathan, on this list are already set!

Mnflyer · Post by **Mnflyer** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 21:45

Hi Nathan, I wore a Flt. helmet for almost 30 yrs, when ever I flew a helicopter, it was / is like the guy that started the thread, when I get or got in a helicopter I felt naked with out it, of the many reason I worn it was to hear the radios, noise reduction and of course safety. I also wore a nomex flt suit when doing fire fighting for the State & Feds. but I never wore them when when flying other jobs. There are helmets and there are helmets not all are created equal, the type he is promoting with the soft sides are of little real good, if your going to go thur the trouble of wearing a helmet get a good hard one with a strap across the nape of the neck and the chim strap HAS to be fastened at all times or in a mishap the helmet just rockets off your head and is another missile to hurt you or passengers. They can be hot but that never ever brothered me and the sun / shield can really be nice although my favorite helmet did not have the pull down sun visor just a snap on brim like a baseball cap still was nice for the sun. I seldom wear it while flying my planes.
Snowmobile / motorcycle helmets while they will give some protection are not really good if you want a reasonably priced excellent one look into the military APH-5 Sph model etc are the one to think about.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 23:25

Joe, you're a jumper?!?! Don't know if I should be impressed that you still jump, or shake my head and call you NUTS!

I've got an emergency parachute, an older ParaCushion I think, that is probably too small for my weight. If I were to use it, there's a good chance I might break my leg(s). The main reasons I don't use it though is space, it's a backpack model and puts me too far forward. The airplane is STRICKLY ground contact VFR, so I don't plan on getting between layers. The only reason I'd come out of the airplane is fire or a major structural failure. As for nomex, I agree. Plus I try to wear Cotton only, so if there is a fire it will burn off and not melt.

Kevin, the wife got a big kick out of that comment. She say's its already thick enough.

Mnflyer, thanks for your thoughts. I agree completely; if I'm gonna get a helmet, it'll be the real deal.

Thanks for all your input guys! I guess I'm looking for that kick in the pants to send me over the edge. What's made me re-evaluate the situation is a discussion with Sean Tucker after he bailed out of the Pitts. What bothered me the most is when he said the canopy struck him in the head. It left a nice dent in his helmet.

nkh

Post by **joea** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 00:05

Nate,

Without the chute, you would not be able to talk to Sean, it saved his life. Thats why I recommended that you wear a chute, no matter if its a bit too small for you, during every flight.

The plane is stressed pretty well during its weekend flights, and you never know what might happen. Please wear one!

Joe

PS Only been jumping about 25 years. I am one of those nuts who do demo jumps and so on... the ones into stadiums and such during sporting events.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 00:56

Joe, good point.

So, besides the fact I may break my legs and be singing saprano the rest of my life; any reason or possiblity this chute might do more harm? Should I start looking for a new one?

nkh

Post by **joea** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 09:07

More harm than dying in the wreckage? Doubt it. If the plane is going to get down in one or more large piece you will usually stay with it, as we all would. If a wing or part of the tail departs then you have a chance to live only if you have a chute.

Mike Spence on the fAA email list had a emergency chute for sale a while back. Let me check with him. At a minimum have the one you have now checked by a rigger. Even if you hit hard its better than not having one at all.

EVERYONE, am not advocating doing something like this in our day to day Aeronca's. Nathan is flying an acrobatic airplane to and from airshows. In the airshow its probably stressed far more than our Aeronca's ever will be, and the chances of something failing in flight is much greater. I never have an issue with flying planes like this but take the needed steps to make sure that I will be around in case something difficult happens.