Helmets - Air to Air

[Brett Goldsmith]

For anyone wanting suitable fire protection in GA aircraft, Nomex might not be the way to go!

When you have an ejection seat to whisk you away in short order only minimal fire exposure protection is needed, but what if you don’t? I fly competition aerobatic aircraft, most of which have the inverted fuel system between my knees, it’s enough to make ya really think about such things. I've got the GS/FRP-2 Standard Sumer Issue Nomex Flying Glove and the Nomex Flight Suit and all, but I couldn't help but to wonder how it'd do when covered in avgas, and for more than the few seconds that it takes to get out via an ejection system. Before buying anything that is simple Nomex, check out these links! Like CFI's, photographers may find themselves in the back of something like a Decathlon, getting out of that certainly wont take a few tenths of a second.

Here is a video comparing the various fire protectant materials on a mannequin (ouch): http://www.daleas.com/daweb.nsf/9069625328188531c12569350065cad5/a5a7ebe7f3ea8ecfc1256e2700289d93/$FILE/Antiflame%20Video%20English.wmv

http://www.beasafepilot.com/equipment.htm

[Jorgo]

Good point Brett.

Nomex will not stop you getting burnt by itself, but it least it won't melt onto your skin. It will let the heat travel through, so you have to provide LAYERS of protection.  The easiest way is through cotton undergarments.    Most military pilots wear at least a cotton T-shirt under their Zoom-Bag, however it's advised that a long sleeved T-shirt is better, especially when combined with cotton Long-Johns.   

Polyester and Nylon underpants (and stockings) melt real quick.

[KevinJackson]

Polyester and Nylon underpants (and stockings) melt real quick.

Are you speaking from personal experience? Is Mrs Jorgo aware she could get hurt? 

[tvrphoto]

Hey Jorgo, check it out...I wore a helmet!

The first is during a roll in a Mig-15, the second was taken the next day in the back seat of an L-39.  It's my best 'Sean Connery ignores the camera' shot.

The bad side of a helmet (much of which could have been prevented), they fall apart!  We were shooting a formation of a Mig-15, Mig-17 and the FJ-4B Fury over the Grand Teton mountain range.  On the backside of the range, the turbulence was quite violent.  My G-meter on landing showed we did +4 / -2 yet the shoot was nothing more than easy rolls.  During the turbulence, my helmet literally fell apart.  The cord to my boom mike became disconnected and bent causeing me to lose all comms from the back seat.  In my lap I found a knurl knob from the side of the helmet that literally unscrewed itself from the violence.  Fortunately, I retrieved the knob and reassembled the helmet before into turned into dangerous cockpit FOD.

Yeah, wearing a helmet is a must, but remembering to preflight all of your gear is even more important!!!

[Tonyz]

shooting a formation of a Mig-15, Mig-17 and the FJ-4B Fury over the Grand Teton mountain range.

Oh we gotta see some of those shots!!

[tvrphoto]

Being the consumate professional that I am, I shot them all with my micro-sized digital phone-camera.  Now I just have to figure out how to download the incredibly compact 826k images to the computer....

[Jorgo]

I TOLD you about those eBay helmets....

But on the plus side - look how more roomy they make the back seat of a Mig. You could take a 100-400mm with you.

[neil1861]

I think Tyson looks like Luke Skywalker when he wore the oversized Storm Trooper gear in Star Wars!  

All the best Tyson, at least you didn't look like chewbacca.

Regards

Neil

[tvrphoto]

Thanks Neil!  You must have missed my 'Stupid Guy Trick' thread...had the Chewbacca thing going there for a little bit.  But the force was with me and I got a new 'LightShaver'

[Brett Goldsmith]

Hey guys, Spencer Suderman posted some more pretty good info on his site about a Peltor Rally Race Helmet conversion for aircraft use. It looks like a great alternative to the Gentex helmets and sells for half the price. . . those of you in the market really should take a look!

http://www.beasafepilot.com/equipment.htm

[Jorgo]

News Flash: The Red Arrows do wear masks and G-suits (but not for the lucky backseaters).