Flight helmet recommendations

[Mayhemxpc]

I use an SPH-4. Not as high tech or comfortable as an HGU-55, but it is more period appropriate for my plane. The retractable visor is nice. Dual visors (gray and clear) is even better. Tinted visor down instead of wearing sunglasses and a ball cap and I was genuinely surprised at how much better visibility was. Like Wes, I mostly use the helmet for airshow...and when the plane comes out of heavy maintenance. (Ya never know, and I should probably wear it more often, like always.) I don't have to worry about the visor knob scratching my plexiglass, but my cockpit isn't as tight as yours, so be sure you have the clearance you need.

Good luck!

[Tom Charpentier]

First, a disclaimer: I have no training in survival systems, and the following is based on my own personal research. I am speaking for myself, not EAA.

My understanding is that military fixed-wing helmets like the HGU-55 are primarily designed to protect you during a bailout sequence, not necessarily an impact. Helicopter helmets, on the other hand, like the SPH-4, are designed to protect you from your head hitting parts of the aircraft / parts of the aircraft hitting your head (thanks Newton) in a crash. If you like the HGU-55, take a look at the HGU-84, which is the Navy/USMC helicopter helmet. It’s very similar in style to the HGU-55, but has different rigging and different impact foam.

I shot a Hints for Homebuilders on my two helmets, an HGU-84 and an SPH-4B, both bought used on eBay and refurbished and converted to civilian comms. Given some studies that say a large portion of GA fatalities are head injuries, a helmet is not a bad idea in many operations. https://www.eaa.org/Videos/Hints-for.../6134271927001

[WLIU]

The helmet shell that forms the basis for the -55, -68 and its derivatives is the same, with different visors, comms, and foam liners. You can customize as needed for your application, be it your F-22, special ops Halo jumps, S-3, RV-8, or Pitts Special.

I will note that an acceptance test for the visor used with the -55 is the firing of a .22 bullet into it. And most ejections end with some sort of impact with the ground as most pilots do not regularly practice parachute landings. So pretty much all of the HGU's are designed to protect from flying debris, shrapnel, and impacts that are survivable. The differences that you see are mostly due to the different armed services having slightly different needs and philosophies.

The older SPH helmet shells are heavier which is a consideration when pulling G's. Modern carbon and kevlar are much lighter than the older glass fabric based construction. My personal neck size is XL due to the older heavy helmets.

Helicopter helmets are shaped differently in part due to the need for different comms that must operate in a different noise environment. Jets are quieter. And they were the first to get add-ons for NVG's. That said, ANR circuits have progressed to where they can fit ANR in earbuds today so that is not really a factor in choosing your helmet.

The jet helmets have provision for oxygen masks where the helicopter helmets have provisions for what is called a maxillofacial shield which protects the wearer from flying debris, which helicopters kick up close to the ground.

I will suggest that the sum total is that you want a helmet that is light, strong enough for the hazards that you might reasonably encounter, and that can have the comms that you need installed. Oh, and every helmet should have a quick disconnect plug for the comms no farther than maybe 8" from the helmet. Saw a man die because something wrapped around his deploying parachute, preventing its opening. You do not want a 4' trailing comm cord to snag your deploying parachute.

And to repeat a theme that EAA has advocated for many years, have properly configured should strap restraints installed. If your head does not hit the instrument panel, the cushions in your helmet won't get exercised.

Everyone who wears a helmet and a parachute to fly should watch Sean Tucker's description of one of his bailouts. Very educational.

Best of luck,

Wes

[WLIU]

Just watched Tom C's Hints video. Nice job. Good description and info for folks who are thinking about helmets. I will confess that I started by getting a Navy flight deck cranial off eBay and wrapping that around a David Clark headset that I had. Put a Headsets Inc ANR kit into the headset and was ready for my first Pitts flights. Inexpensive start that like most things in aviation lead to spending more $$ as I learned more about the topic.

Tom should be aware that an expert is someone who has done something once more than his peers....

Best of luck,

Wes

[Airmutt]

A fixed-wing helmet does anywhere near the protection levels of a helicopter helmet. Helicopter helmets are meant for multiple tangential strikes due to the fact that once on the ground the blades continue to rotate, commonly striking objects that cause significant vibration in the aircraft. This energy translates into multiple strikes to the head. This is one of the reasons helicopter helmets are heavier than fixed-wing.

[Mayhemxpc]

Tom,

Thanks for posting the link to the video. I also got my helmet from E-Bay, in very good condition. After limited success in converting it to GA, I got help from the people at Pilot Avionics at their booth at AirVenture. Very helpful and it works just great. It is important to note that the Army always required (and still requires) ear-plugs to be worn with the flight helmet (same for tank crew helmets.) As a result, the SPH series may not have all of the hearing protection you might be looking for. As Wes noted, ANR can fit into earbuds today, so if you are getting a used (or preferably new issue from old stock) military helmet, you might think about that.

[Stolch]

I have an SPH4 but decided to buy a Comtronics ProCom with a clear visor. Lighter and more comfortable, and for me and the little Zenith 701 I fly, I should never need the level of protection a helicopter or fast mover helmet provides. By the way, Impressive display of military helmet knowledge in this thread. Looks like we have a few ALSE techs here. Me, not so much, I just work at a place called Air Warrior.