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  #1  
Old 04-29-2014, 10:13 PM
jjhoneck jjhoneck is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PORT ARANSAS
Posts: 419
Default Do You Wear a Helmet?

Mary and I have ridden motorcycles for 30+ years. We wouldn't dream of riding without a brain bucket -- not even down to the bathroom at the FBO. I've been down once, and the very FIRST thing that hit the pavement was my pumpkin head, ahead of my hands, shoulder, and knees. Without a helmet that day, I'd be goofier than I already am...

Yet, for whatever reason, it never occurred to us to wear one in all the years of flying -- until we got an RV. Then, all that...gorgeous glass...over our heads (and not much else) made us start to think...What are we DOING? If this thing flips, our brains are smeared all over the runway.

So...do any of you guys wear helmets when flying? If so, why? If not, why not?

Thanks!
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Last edited by rv6rick : 04-29-2014 at 10:33 PM. Reason: removed expletive
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  #2  
Old 04-29-2014, 10:41 PM
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flightlogic flightlogic is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Prescott, AZ
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I modified a Giro Mt. Bike helmet with a Lightspeed Zulu built in.
Wear it sometimes for the more edgy flights. Probably won't have it on the day I need it.
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  #3  
Old 04-29-2014, 10:53 PM
tspear tspear is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Boston Area
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I wear a helmet when I ski, not when I fly. If I flip the plane and hit my head I likely have other bigger issues.

Tim
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  #4  
Old 04-30-2014, 12:20 AM
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ColoRv ColoRv is offline
 
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Location: Tampa (BKV)
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I'm not worried about the flip so much.....but a bird in the beak does have me pondering the helmet question. My house/garage is blanketed with helmets from my 'other hobbies'. Motorcycle, motocross, skydiving, snowboarding, cycling, multiple car racing helmets etc...and I've put some of them through some serious testing with my head still in one piece, so why haven't I picked up a flight helmet yet? I can't say for sure. A bit of worry about scratching the canopy certainly. Mostly to avoid looking like a fighter jock wanna be I suppose.

I wonder....if I bought a helmet but put a sticker on it that says "I'm not as cool as I look"....would anyone believe it? Nah, probably not. Of course I am. How about "Does this helmet make my ego look big?" Hey, I kinda like that one.

Seriously though, I am considering an Oshkosh helmet purchase.
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  #5  
Old 04-30-2014, 12:46 AM
jjhoneck jjhoneck is offline
 
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I'm really torn on this issue. If there was ever a sport where a helmet makes sense, it's flying an RV. With practically no roll protection, and a fairly high chance of an (eventual) off-field landing, there is no doubt that it would be a great safety enhancement.

On the other hand, the hassle, the heat, the discomfort, and the inevitable ridicule that comes with wearing a helmet in an RV is a powerful deterrent that has (so far) overcome my common sense assessment.

As with hockey, bicycling, and motorcycling, I suspect that until it becomes "cool" to wear helmets, most people won't. That's why I was wondering how many RV owners currently wear them?
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  #6  
Old 04-30-2014, 01:58 AM
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Andy Hill Andy Hill is offline
 
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I try to always wear a Helmet... IMHO it is far more important than say a parachute in an RV.

I drew this up sometime back: Helmets in GA

However, every person's attitude to risk is different, and a different decision making process will usually be better than relying on a helmet
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  #7  
Old 04-30-2014, 02:57 AM
Bevan Bevan is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,674
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Not flying yet but I have a helmut and plan to use it no matter what someone may say, especially during the flight test mode. I would hope that everyone here respects an individual's choice to protect themselves.

I have a one-size-fits-all David Clark helmut for the passenger too should they want it. Birds strikes, and tip-overs are my concerns. I expect it to be quieter than a standalone passive headset. The built-in retractable sun visor also works very nice with my prescription glasses. It will keep the sun off my head too but I hope it will not get too hot in the summer.

I never wore a helmut when downhill skiing. No one did at the time and I never thought about it. Always wore one for riding the motorbikes though and wouldn't have it any other way.

Bevan
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Last edited by Bevan : 04-30-2014 at 03:05 AM. Reason: spelling
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  #8  
Old 04-30-2014, 03:51 AM
CharlieMike CharlieMike is offline
 
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I have a couple of questions on this subject

1- Out of all of the RV's that have flipped over, how many of the pilots or passengers ended up with bad head injuries? I haven't heard of any outside of severe accidents/crashes where a helmet wouldn't of helped.

2- How many of the individuals who wear helmets will also wear their helmets when riding in a convertible car?

I personally believe that I'm not living my life on the edge just because I drive a Corvette and fly an RV without a helmet. I do realize that certain activities carry risk, but flying or driving without a helmet isn't one of them IMHO.
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  #9  
Old 04-30-2014, 05:26 AM
rhill rhill is offline
 
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Location: Valley Forge, Pa
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Bird strike more than flip, for a flip I have the roll bar behind & above my head,and a 5 point harness.There will be blood in a bird strike,hopefully the birds and not mine.Eye protection is a must,and in an RV hearing protection too.as the wind & noise will be a distraction. As for cool,well riders look stupid on a high performance sport bike without a helmet these days.The motorcycle industry has done a good job of integrating helmets into there overall design.Helmets make sense when you consider consolidating eye glass,headset,oxygen and in advancements like heating and cooling in one unit.Now how to make it look really cool?IMHO
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  #10  
Old 04-30-2014, 05:35 AM
DeltaRomeo DeltaRomeo is offline
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http://www.vansairforce.net/helmet.htm
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