Proper Helmet Fitting?

[flynsail]

Perhaps I should post this in Primary, but since we get our helmets in API this should be fine.

Is it better to wear a helmet that allows you to barely hear someone talking to you or to have one where you have to read lips? I imagine the latter one would decrease external noise while flying, thus allowing for hearing the comms better. Just curious about what the thoughts on this is from anybody in Primary or beyond. Thanks.

 

[Schnugg]

fit right

You should not be able to see the edge roll when you look up. Remember in any tactical manuever you are under G and looking straight up most of the time for the other a/c. Should not fit like the martian in the bugs bunny cartoons.

I recommend leather ear cups...best thing I ever bought for my HGU-65. Riggers can fit them in for a patch or two.

r/
G

 

[flynsail]

Thank you for the reply!

I tried the helmets on a few months ago and the two medium sizes were the best fit...wasn't able to see the roll when I looked up on either one of them.

The first medium I tried, it had a few layers taken out from that removable portion. The fit was comfortable, but I could slightly hear the guy talking while I had it on.

The second medium still had all removable layers in the helmet. The difference was that it was a more comfortable fit, but I could not hear the guy at all.

So would it really make a difference which one? Is there going to be anybody talking to you from the time you have to be wearing it on the flight line to the time you connect to the comms in the plane?

 

[kmac]

There will be times when you're having to talk to a troubleshooter with engines running. You'll do quite a bit of yelling. It's also a common scene to see one pilot out on the line trying to listen to another by pulling the side of his helmet outward. It usually consists of something like:
"Hey!! Did you aw4.m ...34 ... .???"
-"What?!?"
"I said did you l2432 q;lksdqgf2 ??"
-"What? <followed by lipping 'I can't hear you'>

Get comfort first; the individual ear pieces can be changed out to vary the amount of comfort or hearing protection.

 

[Penguin]

Speaking from experience in Primary, the helmet sits on the canopy rail until the point in the prestart checklist where you put the helmet on and activate the battery. As soon as the battery is on, the ICS is on. Unless your IP really has to pee when you get back, and jumps out while you're shutting down the avionics and electrical system, you shouldn't have anyone talking to you with the battery off. Besides, they'll yell if you can't hear. Go with the best fit and/or most noise reduction, which seems to be the same in your case. Also, everyone I know has been issued the nice leather ear cups that were mentioned. Good luck, and make sure you wear the thing some before you fly. Those plastic bubble wrap spacers need time to break in. Just don't be the guy walking around Wal-Mart in your helmet...Not Cool.

 

[el_bastardo]

Definitely, it seems silly wearing the helmet for an hour and half back at your apartment, but it's much better to get hotspots while watching the Simpsons than when you're doing pattern work.

 

[gaijin6423]

If anyone's interested in some very nice personal upgrades for your helmet (or headset for those maritime bubbas), I recommend Oregon Aero, Inc. I bought their kevlar upgrade kit for my ground-side helmet a while ago, and if the rest of their stuff is half as good as that, I'm sold. www.oregonaero.com has their whole line, with prices, but you can request a catalog, too.

 

[squeeze]

Yes, the hush kits are nice, but the money item they sell is the ZetaLiner. Worth every penny. Softer, more comfortable, and way more absorbent. If you know you're going helos or jets, you can go ahead and get one if you want.... I've heard instructors say you can get em in fleet squadrons, but no VT is going to order one for a stud.

 

[squeeze]

We can get the Zeta's in the PR shop at Meridian... you guys at Krock getting stiffed?

I dunno....I bought mine in Primary when they refused to order one for me, so I didn't bother asking here -- already had one.

 

[Bevo16]

We got those cool kits at the HT's, but you have to ask for them. Those jel filled ear cups are the best. I don't know how I made it as long as I did with those crappy plastic ones.