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  #51  
Old 03-20-2013, 08:23 AM
Skysailor Skysailor is offline
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 239
Default Hemets DO help!

I watched a wingman take a bird in the left forward portion of the canopy while on a low level mission. We were at 200' and 480 knots. After passing through the canopy it hit a glancing blow to his helmet before basically exploding against the bulkhead behind the ejection seat. It broke his visor, his collarbone and made a mess of the helmet (and the rest of the cockpit) but he survived and flew the jet home to an field arrested landing. One of the things we gave some thought to when reviewing the incident was that the helmet afforded protection not only from the mass of the bird but perhaps even more so the sharp pieces of the failed canopy which we found later. Without that helmet and visor we would likely have lost a fine fighter pilot and his trusty steed that day. RVs don't travel this fast but you see the enormous energy which might be imparted in a bird midair from the example above. Food for thought. I am thinking Doug is liking his helmet purchase just a bit more now.
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  #52  
Old 03-20-2013, 08:37 AM
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RV7Guy RV7Guy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
Default Some thoughts

I completely respect Pierre's thoughts on this but would probably not slow down too much to check control. As a couple of others have mentioned, I'd fly the approach faster than normal to a long runway. Recovery from a control check might not be possible.

I fly medical helicopters for a living. Bright yellow ones. Color doesn't help. This is one of the biggest concerns we have. The big birds are plentiful here in the SW, day and night. Lots of Dairy farms where there is often a temporary carcass area, lots of road kill and expanses of desert. Below is how we are dressed. All but the lower face is protected. The visor is up slightly so I could see to take the picture. Visors are used day/night. At night we use NVG's.

Last year on my way to Oshkosh, I hit a pigeon (I think) just out side of Dalhart, TX on climb out. Saw a flash and felt a slight thump. No visible damage and no control issues. The only thing I noticed was a slight degrade in indicated airspeed. Ground speed was normal. Figured it hit the pitot tube.

Discovered it hit the pitot mast and tore it downward. I was able to push it back into place and repair with JB Weld. Has worked great. Next weeks project to fix permanently. (actually forgot about it).

I think wearing a helmet in an RV is impractical. Birds strikes occur but are still rather rare. Good safety glasses are helpful. Your greatest risk is take off and landing or low level cruise. Be vigilant!!! If hit, slow down land as soon as practical.

[IMG][/IMG]
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  #53  
Old 03-20-2013, 10:35 AM
Sig600 Sig600 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
Posts: 1,798
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by smokyray View Post
Amen, you should try 540KCAS sometime.
When they hit the airplane it"s rather pronounced...

V/R
Smokey
PS: the paint looks great...

You should see the hole one punched in my leading edge flap at 480, and that's a thick, reinforced, heavy structure. Physics, amazing.
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  #54  
Old 03-20-2013, 11:06 AM
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smokyray smokyray is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
Default Ultimate FOD

I'm hip bro, twice for me, both times over 500. Probably brought down more airplanes than AAA, maybe.

V/R
Smokey

http://www.military.com/video/milita.../663773816001/
Vigilance...
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  #55  
Old 03-20-2013, 11:34 AM
Sig600 Sig600 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
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Default



Single engine to boot, not cool! I had one start an engine fire, but we at least have two of them!

Whats the canopy rated for in that thing?
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Last edited by Sig600 : 03-20-2013 at 11:38 AM.
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  #56  
Old 03-20-2013, 11:39 AM
dealfair dealfair is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: George West, TX
Posts: 567
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RV7Guy View Post

I think wearing a helmet in an RV is impractical.
Really??? I know they are cumbersome, hot, heavy, etc.; but they certainly add to survivability I'm thinking. I'm not arguing with you Darwin. I keep thinking my head jamed into my panel would not be good and maybe I should wear a helmet.

Practical, is it practical??? Well, not until you need it. I'm even thinking of wearing one in my auto. The oilfield boom traffic in my area has turned once peaceful Farm to Market roads into kill zones. I've stopped replacing my windshields from cracks.

I'm enjoying life and surely do want to protect my ole noggan. I'd hate to need it and not be wearing one. ....What to do? What to do????

Cheers,
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  #57  
Old 03-20-2013, 11:54 AM
Sig600 Sig600 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dealfair View Post
Really??? I know they are cumbersome, hot, heavy, etc.; but they certainly add to survivability I'm thinking. I'm not arguing with you Darwin. I keep thinking my head jamed into my panel would not be good and maybe I should wear a helmet.

Practical, is it practical??? Well, not until you need it. I'm even thinking of wearing one in my auto. The oilfield boom traffic in my area has turned once peaceful Farm to Market roads into kill zones. I've stopped replacing my windshields from cracks.

I'm enjoying life and surely do want to protect my ole noggan. I'd hate to need it and not be wearing one. ....What to do? What to do????

Cheers,
If you really want to wear a helmet, but are worried about comfort there are a bunch of things you can do.

Gentex makes an "X-liner" that is super comfy, and also very cool (as in heat wise).

http://www.gentexcorp.com/default.aspx?pageid=2716

Oregon Aero also makes the zeta liner.

http://www.oregonaero.com/aviation-h...-liner-fitting

I can tell you I've used both in the Persian Gulf where it's 120+ with just oppressive humidty and both work very well. 16+ hours with the helmet on and not a single issue. Couple it with the soft skin ear seals and it's also very light. I've never weighed my helmet but it can't be more than a pound. Plus you can wash the liners. In the summer wear a biker style do-rag or a skull cap, and you can wash that every few hours if you're a heavy sweater. Run a comb through your hair after you land and you're ready for the ball!

http://www.oregonaero.com/aviation-h...met-components
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  #58  
Old 03-20-2013, 01:00 PM
RV8R999 RV8R999 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: na
Posts: 1,457
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RV7Guy View Post
I think wearing a helmet in an RV is impractical. Birds strikes occur but are still rather rare. Good safety glasses are helpful. Your greatest risk is take off and landing or low level cruise. Be vigilant!!! If hit, slow down land as soon as practical.

[IMG][/IMG]
Been wearing an HGU-84 since the very first flight in my RV-8. Very comfortable and actually provides real impact protection. Added an active noise-canx stereo ear cups and mic, lip light, and Contour-HD video camera mount. Painted the helmet to match the plane. Wouldn't fly without it.
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  #59  
Old 03-20-2013, 07:18 PM
dealfair dealfair is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: George West, TX
Posts: 567
Default

Thanks for the helmet info Gents!!
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  #60  
Old 03-21-2013, 02:03 PM
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riseric riseric is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CNV9
Posts: 300
Default Would this be helpful?

What about the protective films that can be installed on car glass to prevent intrusion/theft/car jacking like seen here ??

Watch the video about car jacking.

I know it's applied to car glass instead of plexiglass, but it could be interesting to learn if this film or some other type of protective film could help in preventing canopy failure or at least some birds from crashing through the canopy.
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