So far i've seen alot of different pilots using both headsets and helmets. Is it just a matter of personal preference?, or is there more benifits of using one rather then the other? Personally I found that the helmet was a little heavy after a few hours of use, so I bought a David Clark headset which was a little lighter and a bit more comfy.
Helmet Or Headset?
- Thread starter hb96tuner
- Start date
Bladestrike
Advanced
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2003
- Messages
- 134
- Reaction score
- 0
Mostly personal preference, with a smatter of common sense and convenience.
There's no question that helmets are safer. They'll do a fair job of protecting your noggin in a mishap, and are significantly warmer if you're out of the aircraft whilst running (flying medevac at a scene call for example). I was always smacking my helmet on the door jamb while longlining, and wouldn't dream of doing it with a headset. But if you're touring to hot third world climates, I don't know many guys that bother lugging a helmet all over the place.
The job should be enjoyable, if you feel more secure in a helmet, wear one. If you don't like helmets and prefer flying in a headset...there you go.
I've always found a helmet and visor combo more comfortable than a headset, hat and sunglasses, but I do go with the headset if it's warm.
There's no question that helmets are safer. They'll do a fair job of protecting your noggin in a mishap, and are significantly warmer if you're out of the aircraft whilst running (flying medevac at a scene call for example). I was always smacking my helmet on the door jamb while longlining, and wouldn't dream of doing it with a headset. But if you're touring to hot third world climates, I don't know many guys that bother lugging a helmet all over the place.
The job should be enjoyable, if you feel more secure in a helmet, wear one. If you don't like helmets and prefer flying in a headset...there you go.
I've always found a helmet and visor combo more comfortable than a headset, hat and sunglasses, but I do go with the headset if it's warm.
helicopper
Advanced
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2003
- Messages
- 113
- Reaction score
- 0
after gettin' a seagull in the head at 120 mph, i'll recommend you invest in a quality helmet 🙂
As my fellow folically challenged buddy said, do what suits you the best.
I own two David Clarkes and a Gentex helmet. The DCs worked well in an executive/corporate environment, but otherwise even a heavy SPH-4 Gentex is more comfortable on a long day flying a utility helicopter. The helmet will distribute the load over a larger surface as the headset will usually have a pressure point on the top of your head and hard on the ears.
Unless you are going to work for Helijet or their new competition, I would suggest a newer lightweight Gentex or the Peltor series headset. Very comfortable. If you win the lotto, try out the new Bose ANR headset, I think that will be a real winner, Bladestrike and I will be sporting a set soon.
BTW, Bladestrike is not actually folically challenged, he just chooses the look.
I, on the other hand, can't stop the genetics I was born with.
RH
I own two David Clarkes and a Gentex helmet. The DCs worked well in an executive/corporate environment, but otherwise even a heavy SPH-4 Gentex is more comfortable on a long day flying a utility helicopter. The helmet will distribute the load over a larger surface as the headset will usually have a pressure point on the top of your head and hard on the ears.
Unless you are going to work for Helijet or their new competition, I would suggest a newer lightweight Gentex or the Peltor series headset. Very comfortable. If you win the lotto, try out the new Bose ANR headset, I think that will be a real winner, Bladestrike and I will be sporting a set soon.
BTW, Bladestrike is not actually folically challenged, he just chooses the look.
I, on the other hand, can't stop the genetics I was born with.
RH
Bladestrike
Advanced
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2003
- Messages
- 134
- Reaction score
- 0
actually buddy, you can't tell if I'm folically challenged or not, thus the shaved head serves it purpose 😀Rotorhead said:
NG Limited
Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2003
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 0
hb96tuner,
Personally I always wear my helmet. In my fixed-wing days I wore my David Clark's but the helicopter school I attended had a few SPH-4 helmets for the students to use while training and I have worn a helmet ever since.
I have a Gentex SPH-5 with dark and amber lenses that I like using for heli-skiing and most other general flying. I also have a Gentex HGU-84 that I use if I am going to be doing a lot of longlining. I find the HGU-84 is not as quiet or as comfortable as my SPH-5, but the C of G of the helmet seems to be a bit lower and puts a little less strain on my neck. The shape of the HGU-84 also allows me a little more room while longlining in the A-Star and is easier to get in and out of the bubble window on the Bell's.
On windy days in the Rockies (especially working down in the Crowsnest Pass area) you can judge the severity of the turbulence by how many times your helmet smacks the door post! 😀
Cheers!
Personally I always wear my helmet. In my fixed-wing days I wore my David Clark's but the helicopter school I attended had a few SPH-4 helmets for the students to use while training and I have worn a helmet ever since.
I have a Gentex SPH-5 with dark and amber lenses that I like using for heli-skiing and most other general flying. I also have a Gentex HGU-84 that I use if I am going to be doing a lot of longlining. I find the HGU-84 is not as quiet or as comfortable as my SPH-5, but the C of G of the helmet seems to be a bit lower and puts a little less strain on my neck. The shape of the HGU-84 also allows me a little more room while longlining in the A-Star and is easier to get in and out of the bubble window on the Bell's.
On windy days in the Rockies (especially working down in the Crowsnest Pass area) you can judge the severity of the turbulence by how many times your helmet smacks the door post! 😀
Cheers!
Bladestrike
Advanced
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2003
- Messages
- 134
- Reaction score
- 0
I can't believe the Globe and Mail picked it up! Nice caption about me surfing while Nicole battered Nova Scotia...I'm a regular celebrity in the lineup now!
i prefer a helmet and have only worn a headset on one occasion since i landed my first job. my first employer said it was company policy to wear a helmet and i have gotten used to it and now feel naked without. then again he insisted on not putting bubble windows in his machines (500's) and so at all times of year we had to struggle with opening the door and looking out and down. i know it sounds crazy (and it is!), especially when the lovely cold snap of -35+ starts in northern alberta. i could not imagine just wearing headsets under those conditions. it would really be unpleasent and dangerous when you were slightly out of wind and the friggin door blew closed on your head. no wonder he only took on new guys as i know of no one who would voluntarily subject themselves to that kind of crap. another benefit i have heard of is that helmets are good for noise attenuation as they cover the nape of you neck which is where a lot of high frequency noise will penetrate and over prolonged periods may lead to hearing loss.
Auto Relight
Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2004
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 0
Many years in fixed-wing all I wore was David Clarke's, even through heli school too, but after I put my forst helmet on - NEVER going back.
SO much quiter, comfortable and affordable.... Err, forget the last comment! Seriousl though, it's worth every penny and I spent quite a few on the right one for me. Fatigue after a long day is noticable reduced over the headset.
AR
SO much quiter, comfortable and affordable.... Err, forget the last comment! Seriousl though, it's worth every penny and I spent quite a few on the right one for me. Fatigue after a long day is noticable reduced over the headset.
AR
