helmets and parachutes

[Hwood]

Anybody actually REALLY HAVE to use a chute to get out of an RV?

[BenPoff]

Thanks everyone for all the advice!
+ I am keeping space limits in the cockpit in mind, but lucky for me I am only 5'4" (I don't get to say that very often), so even with helmet and a seat-cushion style chute, I might still have plenty of canopy clearance.
+ Improved seatbelts is on the list of "wants." The 4-pt in the plane now seems to work pretty good. I'm not going straight to the snap-rolls, but will be starting with some very basic stuff first (all smooth, easy and positive G) and slowly building up. (Just as a good-boy should, right?)
+ I've seen the bonehead helmets on line, and the PilotX with coms looks nice. Expensive, but nice, and maybe a good one-time buy. Really wish I could try one on before purchase though. I will drop Chris a line and see how it goes. Too bad for me they are in CA and not FL!
+ I've seen the chutes on line as well, but it was looking like they were all selling the same thing. The explanation that the businesses selling chutes are really just making different packs makes sense. The contacts for talking to some of the people in that world is much appreciated!
In summary, great feedback! Thank you all!

PS. Willy Eye Ball of AL, you are undoubtedly in my neck of the woods. Hope to see you out there at SERFI or some other local fly-in/pancake breakfast or whatever! And I don't believe you, slider canopy has to be better! (looks cooler anyway) ;-)

[cmadams52]

I'm in the same boat as you. Looking into buying a 4 and want to be ready to get out if needed. Consider a small survival kit to carry with you. I'm going to wear an old flight suit when I fly and I will carry some survival equipment in the leg pockets. Just enough to help me survive and get first responders to me.

Stuff I am thinking about:
Emergency first aid (don't wast your time/space carrying something you don't know how to use it will only increase the risk to you)
- CAT Tourniquet
- Large pressure bandage
- Quick clot gauze
- Triangle bandage
- Safety pin
- Sharpie

Signaling Devices
- 406 Beacon
- Signaling Mirror
- Strobe

Survival equipment
- Knife
- Equipment to lower myself out of the parachute
- Mylar blanket

[cmadams52]

Anyone out there wear a long-softie in a 4?

[Snowflake]

Another option, a number of local pilots are using the Praetor helmet. I don't know of anyone using one in an RV-4, but they are all happily using them with their favorite already-owned headset. They look just like other helmets once in place.

https://www.praetorflyinghelmets.com/

[ronschreck]

Contrary to some opinions above I think the RV-4 is one of the best values in competition aerobatic airplanes. The only planes that come close may be the Pitts S1C or for a bit more $$ a Pitts S1S. The nice thing about a RV is how much better it is for cross country flying. Getting to and from the contest is often the hardest part of a contest weekend. In a Pitts it may take several hops and a few periods of waiting for VFR weather. I flew to a contest in Sebring, Florida two years ago. The weather was IFR but we made it in one hop from Charlotte, NC to Sebring and I took my wife and two chihuahuas along as well! My Pitts buddies never left the ground.

The RV is VERY competitive at the Sportsman level and is even capable of intermediate level aerobatics, including snap rolls and rolling circles. All it takes is practice, lots of it!

[Christopher Murphy]

Originally Posted by cmadams52

Anyone out there wear a long-softie in a 4?

I use a long softie with the acro harness

Cm

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Another option, a number of local pilots are using the Praetor helmet. I don't know of anyone using one in an RV-4, but they are all happily using them with their favorite already-owned headset. They look just like other helmets once in place.

https://www.praetorflyinghelmets.com/

Either that helmet sits real high or the guy in the red one has a super big head !!

https://www.praetorflyinghelmets.com/gallery

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

Either that helmet sits real high or the guy in the red one has a super big head !!

That one does seem to be sitting rather high, look at the gap between the ear cup and the top of the cutout for it. I suspect a fitting issue, maybe that particular headset doesn't sit well inside the shell?

[Southern Pete]

Originally Posted by BenPoff

I've recently purchased an RV-4. My mission is to do aerobatics. Two of the safety items on my list as I prepare for this mission is a helmet and parachute. Any recommendations on what to look into or what to stay away from?
Thank you.

I have a wedge softie with aerobatic harness, for serious acro an aerobatic harness (for the parachute) is a must, as is a ratchet seat harness.

I also use an in-ear headset (eg CQ-1) and a skydiving helmet (eg Bonehead Guner). I don't want a $1000 helmet lying around most of the time and don't want to wear a helmet when not flying acro. If I ever have to jump out it will probably hurt as headset is dragged out, but that is a compromise I am prepared to make. An in-ear headset was one of the best changes I ever made.

Pete