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03-20-2013, 08:23 AM
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 239
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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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RV4
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03-20-2013, 08:37 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
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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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Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
www.JDair.com
RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
RV-7 N717AZ Flying, in paint
EMS Bell 407,
Eurocopter 350 A-Star Driver
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03-20-2013, 10:35 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
Posts: 1,798
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smokyray
Amen, you should try 540KCAS sometime.
When they hit the airplane it"s rather pronounced...
V/R
Smokey
PS: the paint looks great...
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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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Next?, TBD
IAR-823, SOLD
RV-8, SOLD
RV-7, SOLD
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03-20-2013, 11:34 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
Posts: 1,798
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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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Next?, TBD
IAR-823, SOLD
RV-8, SOLD
RV-7, SOLD
Last edited by Sig600 : 03-20-2013 at 11:38 AM.
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03-20-2013, 11:39 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: George West, TX
Posts: 567
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV7Guy
I think wearing a helmet in an RV is impractical.
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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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Deal Fair
RV-4 (N34CB)
George West, TX (8T6)
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03-20-2013, 11:54 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
Posts: 1,798
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dealfair
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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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
__________________
Next?, TBD
IAR-823, SOLD
RV-8, SOLD
RV-7, SOLD
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03-20-2013, 01:00 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: na
Posts: 1,457
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV7Guy
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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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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03-20-2013, 07:18 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: George West, TX
Posts: 567
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Thanks for the helmet info Gents!! 
__________________
Deal Fair
RV-4 (N34CB)
George West, TX (8T6)
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03-21-2013, 02:03 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CNV9
Posts: 300
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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.
__________________
Eric,
2020 dues paid
RV-8 83274
Emp & SB Wings on fuse, SB Fuselage in progress
Grove Airfoiled Gear, Wheels & Brakes
VPX-Pro & EFII Bus Manager & System 32 in progress
Aerosport IO-375 + MTV-9-B/183
Skyview HDX (next)
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