Does CAP use flight helmets anywhere at all?

[RVT]

I'm about ready to sell mine, but before I do I thought I would ask.  I have never seen it done, or even a picture of anyone in CAP wearing a flight helmet, but thats not proof it never happens.

[coudano]

i've seen one used as a dunce hat before...

[researchdoc]

They used to wear them when we got the old AF Trainers...
We have one at NCWG.. it is blue with a red stripe front to back and the CAP seal on both sides... really looks nice...

[RVT]

They used to wear them when we got the old AF Trainers...
We have one at NCWG.. it is blue with a red stripe front to back and the CAP seal on both sides... really looks nice...

This one is a 90's era US Army helicopter helmet.  I was debating getting this:

http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/1251

To use it in our 206 but someone told me the impedance would not be correct.

[Hawk200]

They used to wear them when we got the old AF Trainers...
We have one at NCWG.. it is blue with a red stripe front to back and the CAP seal on both sides... really looks nice...

This one is a 90's era US Army helicopter helmet.  I was debating getting this:

http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/1251

To use it in our 206 but someone told me the impedance would not be correct.

You could try one of these: http://www.gibson-barnes.com/Communication+Converters/id/18/cat_id/55/prod_id/160/

Alternately, you could change out the commo bits to civil aviation impedance parts. Not hard to do if you pay attention.

[RiverAux]

I've heard that a certain recent very very high-ranking CAP member used to wear a flight helmet in 172s and 182s....

[RVT]

I've heard that a certain recent very very high-ranking CAP member used to wear a flight helmet in 172s and 182s....

What actually made me dig the thing out of storage was the thread on fire injuries.  I see no point in wearing a nomex flight suit if my hands and head are going to get burned.  Plus how often do you have to deal with fire in a Cessna that DIDN'T crash?

Wearing the flight suit make sense if I also wear the gloves and the helmet.  I'm not going to go out and paint MAVERICK on the front of it.

Actually since the converter costs $134 I doubt I will be wearing it anytime soon anyway.

[PilotBillFromTexas]

I don't wear a helmet but, I don't think that it would be a bad idea because we spend so much time 1,000 AGL where there are a lot of birds.  I'm thinking that a helmet or some kind of face protection might not be a bad idea if you're going to be down there for a long period of time.

Last summer I flew some missions that lasted all day long at 1000 agl.  (2 x 3.5 hours)  I saw a lot of birds at and above my altitude.   If I lose the front window then I'd like to have something in front of my face besides some swear words.

[RVT]

Last summer I flew some missions that lasted all day long at 1000 agl.  (2 x 3.5 hours)  I saw a lot of birds at and above my altitude.   If I lose the front window then I'd like to have something in front of my face besides some swear words.

I don't think our airplanes fly fast enough for a bird to make it through the windshield.  At least whatever small parts of it make it through the prop.

[FW]

CAP does not use or require flight helmets for use while flying CAP missions.  However, if you would like to wear one, enjoy; especially when the outside temps get over 80.  Other members will probably stare at you and wonder though...

[Major Carrales]

CAP does not use or require flight helmets for use while flying CAP missions.  However, if you would like to wear one, enjoy; especially when the outside temps get over 80.  Other members will probably stare at you and wonder though...

I don't know, if you like the helmet as an aviator (as in it work for you) I think that is a pilot preference, however, a helmet in a 172 might generate ridicule...as much as a GT member in full ALICE gear.  Yes, it's useful...but it might be considered overkill...just one man's opinion.

[RVT]

CAP does not use or require flight helmets for use while flying CAP missions.  However, if you would like to wear one, enjoy; especially when the outside temps get over 80.  Other members will probably stare at you and wonder though...

I don't know, if you like the helmet as an aviator (as in it work for you) I think that is a pilot preference, however, a helmet in a 172 might generate ridicule...as much as a GT member in full ALICE gear.  Yes, it's useful...but it might be considered overkill...just one man's opinion.

Agreed & agreed.  I would not go out and buy a $1000 helmet for CAP.  However, I already HAVE one.

Group 1 has five 182T's and two 206 btw.

[Al Sayre]

I've got a couple from my time on AD, but I wouldn't wear one in CAP unless it were a requirement.  We humans give off the most heat from our heads and putting anything on that keeps it in is generally not a great idea if the temp is > ~60deg F.  I wouldn't even want to contemplate flying a 3.5 hr CD sortie when it's 95 deg at 1000 Ft with a brain bucket.  I think the likelyhood of heatstroke between that and the nomex would be several orders of magnitude higher than the likelyhood of a fire or birdstrike.  JMHO

[Eclipse]

CAP does not use or require flight helmets for use while flying CAP missions.  However, if you would like to wear one, enjoy; especially when the outside temps get over 80.  Other members will probably stare at you and wonder though...

I don't know, if you like the helmet as an aviator (as in it work for you) I think that is a pilot preference, however, a helmet in a 172 might generate ridicule...as much as a GT member in full ALICE gear.  Yes, it's useful...but it might be considered overkill...just one man's opinion.

Might?

[blackrain]

I've got a couple from my time on AD, but I wouldn't wear one in CAP unless it were a requirement.  We humans give off the most heat from our heads and putting anything on that keeps it in is generally not a great idea if the temp is > ~60deg F.  I wouldn't even want to contemplate flying a 3.5 hr CD sortie when it's 95 deg at 1000 Ft with a brain bucket.  I think the likelyhood of heatstroke between that and the nomex would be several orders of magnitude higher than the likelyhood of a fire or birdstrike.  JMHO

Unfortunately, especially after looking at some CAP members at the last SAREX, being overweight and out of shape is the biggest threat to their well being. Heat tolerance is a lot less as well.

I have hit a small bird (lark size) in a 172 a few years  ago right after rotation. Right through the prop and made a mess on the windshield. I also remember passing more than a few Red Tailed Hawks at 1000 AGL in the summer and thinking those could cause more of a problem depending where they hit. Ducks and Geese add a whole new dimension depending on the season and amount of standing water in the area.

[PilotBillFromTexas]

All good points. I wonder if just wearing safety sunglasses might be the best protection in the case of a bird strike.  It would give some protection of the face and eyes but not make your brain boil.

[PilotBillFromTexas]

I did a little research on the whole bird strike topic just to see if there was any hard data on it to see if it is a rational fear or not.

The FAA has a searchable online database on wildlife strikes.  Pretty cool!  Who knew?

http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov/wildlife/database.aspx

It looks like there was only one case of a bird strike in a C-182 in Texas in 2010.  It was a "Gadwall" which is a duck and caused only minor damage.

In previous years it looks like most of the more serious damage came from hitting deer and cows.  None of them at 1000 AGL. 

[SarDragon]

There's a guy in SoCal who wears one, and the chatting behind his back is amusing to listen to. He has other issues, too, that also generate chit chat.

[SarDragon]

CAP does not use or require flight helmets for use while flying CAP missions.  However, if you would like to wear one, enjoy; especially when the outside temps get over 80.  Other members will probably stare at you and wonder though...

I don't know, if you like the helmet as an aviator (as in it work for you) I think that is a pilot preference, however, a helmet in a 172 might generate ridicule...as much as a GT member in full ALICE gear.  Yes, it's useful...but it might be considered overkill...just one man's opinion.

Agreed & agreed.  I would not go out and buy a $1000 helmet for CAP.  However, I already HAVE one.

Group 1 has five 182T's and two 206 btw.

Group 1 where?

[bosshawk]

CAWG, I believe.

[SarDragon]

Then that info is incorrect.

According to WMIRS, CAWG has six 206s - 1 ea in Gp 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and one in NJ for maint.

[ßτε]

Then that info is incorrect.

According to WMIRS, CAWG has six 206s - 1 ea in Gp 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and one in NJ for maint.

The one in NJ is usually assigned to Group 3.
The one currently in Group 3 had been based in Group 1.

[RVT]

Then that info is incorrect.

According to WMIRS, CAWG has six 206s - 1 ea in Gp 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and one in NJ for maint.

N206JK and N9420R are both 206G models, and they both belong to group 1 CAWG.

[ßτε]

In case you haven't noticed, N9420R is currently with Group 3 and not Group 1.
Granted, it is only temporary.

[SarDragon]

I was going to mention that, it wasn't a battle worth fighting.

[cap235629]

Then that info is incorrect.

According to WMIRS, CAWG has six 206s - 1 ea in Gp 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and one in NJ for maint.

N206JK and N9420R are both 206G models, and they both belong to group 1 CAWG.

Uh No. All Aircraft belong to CAP and can be reassigned at the stroke of a pen.  When units/regions/wings forget that, it causes MANY problems that are usually corrected with a stroke of a pen.  Funny how that works..........

[RVT]

I was going to mention that, it wasn't a battle worth fighting.

I didn't say anything about the physical location of the aircraft, just that its on my books.  Until someone does that magical stroke of the pen, I have to submit reports on it.

[SHARKMAN]

So here is a link to a picture of a PR wing pilot in his life support equipment. And as a note, I had my life saved by my flight helmet in Oct 2008 when our HH-60( Army medevac Blackhawk) impacted a hillside in Northern Iraq. My head slammed sideways into the forward section of the gunner's window, splitting my helmet, and giving me a severe concussion. But not splitting my noggin. So I guess it'd be your personal preference. I know this is an old topic, but I figured it was poignant. http://www.flighthelmet.com/support/custpic/cp025.htm

[Flying Pig]

There's a guy in SoCal who wears one, and the chatting behind his back is amusing to listen to. He has other issues, too, that also generate chit chat.

He'll be the one laughing when someone knocks themselves silly flying in the mountains when they catch a gust of wind.  I think that in SAR/Mountain flying the wear of a standard issue helmet should be required.  But nobody is going to pay for it.  The CHP (Calif Highway Patrol) airplanes fly with helmets also.  I am trying to get my agency to buy me one of the military issue ones.  I have an MSA Gallet that I can wear but its for the helicopter.  Works fine in the plane but its a bit big.  I also wear it so I can use my NVGs.
I think its interesting that helicopter pilots everywhere use helmets, airplane pilots, sometimes performing the same missions do not.  I was flying the mountains looking for weed one time and caught a completely unexpected and violent gust that smacked my left eyebrow against the door frame so hard it left a bruise.  Would have been nice to have a helmet.

http://www.gibson-barnes.com/Gentex+HGU-55_E+Fixed+Wing+Helmet/id/18/cat_id/30/prod_id/446/

[PHall]

There's a guy in SoCal who wears one, and the chatting behind his back is amusing to listen to. He has other issues, too, that also generate chit chat.

He'll be the one laughing when someone knocks themselves silly flying in the mountains when they catch a gust of wind.  I think that in SAR/Mountain flying the wear of a standard issue helmet should be required.  But nobody is going to pay for it.  The CHP (Calif Highway Patrol) airplanes fly with helmets also.  I am trying to get my agency to buy me one of the military issue ones.  I have an MSA Gallet that I can wear but its for the helicopter.  Works fine in the plane but its a bit big.  I also wear it so I can use my NVGs.
I think its interesting that helicopter pilots everywhere use helmets, airplane pilots, sometimes performing the same missions do not.  I was flying the mountains looking for weed one time and caught a completely unexpected and violent gust that smacked my left eyebrow against the door frame so hard it left a bruise.  Would have been nice to have a helmet.

http://www.gibson-barnes.com/Gentex+HGU-55_E+Fixed+Wing+Helmet/id/18/cat_id/30/prod_id/446/

Nothing stopping you from buying your own. Just make sure the comms are compatible with the airplane.

[RVT]

Nothing stopping you from buying your own. Just make sure the comms are compatible with the airplane.

My 1990's era US Army helmet needed a $100+ adapter to use it in a Cessna.  I did have a regular helicopter adapter, and when I tried that I could hear but not talk due the impedance mismatch.

I still think that the Nomex flight suit by itself is pointless.  You need the helmet & gloves to go with it.

If I get 3rd degree burns on my face & hands  I I don't care about the rest of me, its over.

[Flying Pig]

What I get a kick out of is when we do ride alongs at work.  We have our flight suits, gloves, helmets, aircrew vests with life preservers, leather boots....the whole get up.  The riders jump in with their jeans and t-shirts.  I had an old lady once who went on a ride.  She was a Grand Jury member, probably 70.  She asked, "Do I get any of that stuff too or am I just on my own."  I told her "Madam Grand Jurer, your on your own."  She laughed.

[lordmonar]

That was the point I made about the old PCR 60-1 supp that mandated nomex. 

If you are going to supplement something for wear as a "safety" item then we should wear something that prevents the majority of injuries during an air plane crash.....blunt force trama to the head.

But as you pointed out.....it is easy to get a flight suit for free or very cheap.......even a used or surplus flight helment will cost a $100 or so just to modify the comms.....and new....you are looking at $600 just as a starting place.