Looking for a helmet

[rotormandan]

I'm looking for a cheap helmet. Does anyone know where to find one or does anyone have an old one laying around they'd like to sell? I've got a small head. Everything I find online is over $1000. My budget is quite a bit less right now.

[avbug]

You're going to need to be more specific. You're looking for a used helmet, apparently. What is your budget, and what type helmet are you after? Mission, purpose?

[rotormandan]

Mostly ag work. I was picturing around $300 but after searching the net looks like I'd be lucky to get under $700. I like the thinner style of the HG-84/p. I found this list on the JH alt....

SPH-3, SPH-4, SPH-5, SPH-4B, SPH-8, HGU-56 and HGU-84 I haven't looked at them all yet so I'm not sure on type. I'm more focused on cheap now so I can figure out what I want to spend $ on later.

[avbug]

A decent aviation headset will run about a grand (think Bose). A helmet is a piece of life saving equipment. That may not be your best area to focus on going cheap.

 

If you want to go cheap, you can pick up something on ebay, knowing nothing about how that helmet was maintained, it's condition, it's authenticity, etc.

 

From the perspective on one who is alive because of his helmet, I'll say unequivocally that there are plenty of other areas you might want to think about pinching pennies than your helmet. From the perspective one one who wears a helmet for extended hours in hot conditions, there are definitely other areas you might want to think about pinching pennies, than your helmet.

 

As for types, forget the SPH3. Vietnam era. You'll occasionally find SPH4's, but the SPH5 is what you're after if you prefer that type helmet. A HGU-84 is a nice helmet; hotter than an SPH series, but lighter. For visors, you may find that an unprotected visor on a bungee is okay at first, but is easy to damage, an the elastic wears out soon enough, leading to slippage and other problems. It's also easier to get big fingerprints in the middle of your visor. Ensure that whatever you get, the avionics are compatible with what's in your aircraft; not the case with some surplus helmets, often necessitating a new microphone and/or earphones. Depending on the cord set up a replacement may also be needed, or an adapter.

 

Yes, you can visit ebay and find something used, and you probably will. I've built up helmets with components purchased there, myself. Be very careful what you get however, and ensure it's been thoroughly inspected. I wouldn't retain the same liner. You may need to look at replacing the electronics. Often you'll need a new visor. The helmet may need upgrading with components, such as nape strap, and may need repairs such as replacing the edge roll, and so forth. By the time you replace a few items, your savings may not be so great.

[HighCountry]

+1 to what Avbug said. If you don't need a helmet save money on a headset and put in earplugs. If you NEED a helmet then consider that what is stored inside the helmet is one of the few parts of the body that can't be rebuilt/repaired/overhauled.

[rotormandan]

Thanks for the input. It's not so much trying to pinch a few pennies, it's lack of $ at the moment. I figure a used one is better then nothing for now. Cheap or none, those are my options.

[Wally]

Private sale or eBay, I would guess are about your only chances.

Whatever helmet you buy, make sure it fits. A poorly fit helmet can be painful, distracting and seriously compromise your safety.

 

Avbug- can you tell us about assembling your helmet out of components?

[avbug]

I have a backup helmet that came with a bungee visor; I wanted a housing and different assembly. I used Government Sales for the parts and installation. I upgraded to the integrated napestrap, and did that work myself. Upgrades on ear seals, liners, and other parts were done by purchasing the parts new.

 

I also have custom assemblies I use; my main helmet shell was custom made from Kevlar instead of fiberglass. It's a little stronger and lighter.

 

I've changed my liners to oregon aero liners for fit and comfort. I use electret microphones only, and ensure that my earphones are compatible. I also have eliminated most of the curled pigtail leads and gone with straight leads; they seem to have less wire breakages. I've replaced boom mic assemblies with different types that are more uniform and robust.

 

One can quickly escalate a basic helmet to nearly the cost of a new one by refurbishing.

 

Contact Government Sales, et al; it's not uncommon to have a brand new helmet at a significant discount, because it was part of a lot that was ordered, and not taken. I have one that I bought (and have used fairly hard for a number of years...it's absorbed a lot of sweat) complete from Govt Sales that was painted up for an airboat team. They didn't take the helmet, so I got it at a good price.

 

I submit that if one is contemplating working commercially and can't afford the basic equipment to do the job, one can't afford to do the job. Yes, in ag, you should be wearing a helmet. If you can't afford a helmet, borrow the money and get a good helmet that fits, with a good liner, that's comfortable. Don't go cheap. There's nothing wrong with Gentex helmets; one doesn't need to go for the high dollar helmets to have good equipment. Milspec works just fine, and can be made more comfortable and quieter with simple aftermarket things like the oregon aero ear seals and liners. The helmet is NOT a place where one should be going bargain basement.

 

Same for buying tools. Get good ones; buy once. Get cheap stuff, buy more than once, suffer work delays or shutdowns, and it may cost you your life. Think about it.

 

I'm alive thanks to my helmet. How much is your life worth?

[Carpenter]

I have a David Clark K-10 helmet for sale if that is anything that would interest you. It is in excellent condition and it was my first low cost introductory helmet. It fits over/attaches to a David Clark headset. PM me if your interested.

Edited May 29, 2014 by Carpenter

[cburg]

For sure not as good as the ones mentioned, I fly with both of these:

 

http://www.lynx-avionics.com/English_Site/E_Site_Index/e_frame_set.html

 

Any headset will fit in the slot in the padding:

 

These Comtronics are fairly cheap (used). Headsets are built in and not interchangeable:

 

http://www.comtronics-aero.com/

[JohnLeePettimore]

How is it that some jobs require a helmet and some don't? I've never seen a corporate pilot wear one or a flight instructor. In fact, the only helicopter pilots I've ever seen wear a helmet were the Army pilots who flew me from base to base while I was deployed, and the crew of Airwolf, and those guys didn't wear helmets when they were flying the MD500 or the Jet Ranger. I guess the 222 requires one for some reason. Must be for the Force Trim. :-)

 

PS The actual question was serious, I'm in no way making fun of helmets.

[cburg]

How is it that some jobs require a helmet and some don't? I've never seen a corporate pilot wear one or a flight instructor. In fact, the only helicopter pilots I've ever seen wear a helmet were the Army pilots who flew me from base to base while I was deployed, and the crew of Airwolf, and those guys didn't wear helmets when they were flying the MD500 or the Jet Ranger. I guess the 222 requires one for some reason. Must be for the Force Trim. :-)

 

PS The actual question was serious, I'm in no way making fun of helmets.

On a similar thread there were various people who had to wear them, including some CFIs. It was a company thing in most of these cases I assume.

[avbug]

Ag flying has a lot higher mishap rate than most other kinds of flying. There's a very real chance you'll need that helmet to save your life.

[cburg]

Some helmet threads (one is exclusively about helmets saving lives):

 

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/17231-best-place-to-buy-a-helmet/?hl=helmets&do=findComment&comment=142494

 

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/15443-for-those-who-dont-believe-helmets-save-lives/?hl=helmets

 

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/17636-military-surplus-helmets-w-cep/?hl=helmets

 

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/17094-anr-or-cep-system-for-gallet-lh250-flight-helmet/?hl=helmets&do=findComment&comment=140212

 

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/16896-northwall-lmt-helicopter-helmet-review/?hl=helmets

 

http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/topic/16822-helmets-rotorcraft-vs-fixed-wing/?hl=helmets

[cburg]

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/McDonnell%20Douglas%20Helicopters%20Hughes%20369E%20G-KSWI%2002-12.pdf

 

Page 23

 

"During the accident sequence the pilot sustained fractures to his pelvis, lower back and ribs as well as extensive head injuries and several large cuts and puncture wounds to his body. The pilot previously flew helicopters wearing a helmet but around eight months prior to the accident he started to use a noise cancelling headset. The pilot spent several months in hospital and was not able to recall any details of the events immediately prior to the accident."

[cburg]

The Mosquito manufacturer *strongly* recommends helmets. I can’t imagine not getting head injuries in it if something happened.

 

http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1158&posts=1

 

That’s one reason I sold the Rotorway, and bought the Hughes, and then the Mosquito. Enough headroom for a helmet...but just barely.

[cburg]

Investigation of 595 crashes showed helmet-less pilots were six-times more likely to be killed than a pilot wearing a helmet.

Head Protection.pdf

[Gomer Pylot]

The cheapest way to go is to use ebay and a sniping service. It can take awhile, but you may be able to get a helmet for a reasonable price. Mine was a former military helmet, and I had to replace the microphone and paint it, but it only cost me about $240, including the paint. I already had several civilian mics on hand from old headsets, so that was free. Do use the sniping service. I use Gavelsnipe, and it's free (or was, haven't used it in a few years). Others cost money, but it's probably worth it. Bidding youself is a waste of time and money, you just drive up the price. Sniping services wait until the last few seconds and bid electronically. You give them the highest price you're willing to pay and they bid up to that. It took me a number of auctions because I wasn't willing to pay very much, but I finally got what I wanted. I only need a helmet for holding NVGs. YMMV.

 

Whatever others may say, it's your choice, and not theirs.

Edited May 30, 2014 by Gomer Pylot

[helipilotm]

It is your choice like GP said... My two cents. A helmet isn't something you go cheap on. It's not the fact it's an older style of helmet it's you don't know what condition the helmet is in. Did it sit in somebody garage for years getting tossed around or who knows what else. We were helmets for two reasons number one is safety and number two is to hold NVG's . I bought a sph5 used it for one fire season. I bought all the comfort upgrades and still absolutely hated it. I dreaded putting it on, was hotter than you know what and was so big and clunky. At the time I was broke as a joke but ended up buying a Gallet. I've had it for 4 years now. I absolutely love it! I don't notice it unless it's extremely hot. I wear a helmet 99% of the time and feel naked without it when flying. If it was me and I was doing ag I would do everything I could to at least get an SPH5. It's one of those things where if you need it you want the best. The difference might be living or not.

[cryesis]

Bought the gallet and it's amazingly comfortable, almost comfy enough to wear doing cfi work

[cburg]

Here's another source (may have already been mentioned):

 

http://aviationhelmets.com/

[cburg]

$250 will fit with most headsets:

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/sportlinkdavid.php

[avbug]

$250 will fit with most headsets:

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/sportlinkdavid.php

 

That's dandy for some sunday flyer in an ultralight.

 

If your'e going to do ag or wear a helmet for protection, get a real one. Those ridiculous half-shell toys that fit around headsets shouldn't be taken seriously for crash protection, especially on the job.

 

Again, if you can't afford to use and wear the proper gear, find something else to do until you take the job seriously enough to properly prepare to go to work. It's just that simple.

 

From the ad above:

 

WARNING:

SLC helmets are not designed for safety or to protect against head injury, falling debris, impact, concussion, heat, cold, the elements or any type of injury. They are solely to facilitate communications.

Edited May 30, 2014 by avbug

[Spike]

If you feel your noggin is worth $250, then by all means……..

[cryesis]

Little off the topic thread but speaking of noggin value, when does it become necessary to protect that $250 noggin? Only in ag/utility work or when your forced to wear one by company requirements???