Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:37 pm Post subject: Helmets & Flight Suits
Hi all,
It has been very quiet on here lately so I thought I'd ask a question. I'm sure it has been well covered in the past but I figure there may have been some new products/advancements since then, so...
My questions are, what is the best helmet on the market & why?
And, what is the best flight suit on the market & why?
We use Alpha Eagle Helmets at work, and they are very good.
I think my Mil Mk4 is better at sound attenuation, slightly more comfortable, but heavier.
There are some really good flight suits around, and some really poor UK manufacturers who have been doing it for years and still cannot deliver a suit that fits and does not fall apart, my work one is bloody awful, so if you are buying be careful.
Joined: Feb 14, 2008 Posts: 888 Location: Stavanger, Norway
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:11 am Post subject:
Our Nomex suits are nothing to write home about so I wont bother talking about them.
However we are using the MSA Gallet LH250 with the Bose A20 ANR. Very happy with it, but the sizes are alittle different compared to Alpha, so definately try for size before handing over your money.
Going a step further (or perhaps off-topic?) neither flight suits nor helmets are particularly cheap.
Yet depending on what flying you are doing now, or in the imminent future, you may well find that neither are acceptable to your employer and therefore you can't wear them.
The flight suits and helmets that I have used have all been provided by my employer. Most of the other employers would not have been happy with me wearing such items even if I bought my own.
Mostly because:
1. Helmets (and fireproof clothing) unsettle the passengers when they see their driver wearing a crash helmet but they only have a pair of earmuffs.
2. The items don't fit the image the company wishes to project... you don't match the other crew, you don't match the company colours, you look scruffy etc.
While there are admirable personal safety reasons to wear both, employers usually take more heed of the above 2 points.
Cheers for the replies. It seems to be between the Alpha and Gallet. From what I can gather the Alpha seems to be a bit more robust and offer better protection but the Gallet is lighter. So a bit of a trade off but everyone I've spoken to that uses either of these are very happy with them. Has anyone got any info on prices and where to buy? Seems to be very difficult to find prices on the net.
Joined: Jan 21, 2013 Posts: 9 Location: Northamptonshire
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:35 pm Post subject:
Greg,
I could probably knock you up something temporarily with an open face motorbike helmet, an old headset, and a sheet of tinted Perspex. Some work with a jigsaw and some glue should get it about where it needs to be, let me know if you are keen and I will disappear down to the workshop and start work
I have some old overalls and some asbestos sheet laying around somewhere if you want the fireproof suit as well, you could model them for me for ebay??
If you are up for it and I will bring the prototypes on Sunday.
Josh
Cheers for the replies. It seems to be between the Alpha and Gallet.
Realistically, there are only 3 mainstream options:
1. Alpha, generally favoured by the Brits
2. Gentex, generally favoured by the Americans
3. Gallet, the "Apple" to the "Microsoft"
Joined: Jan 21, 2013 Posts: 9 Location: Northamptonshire
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:50 pm Post subject:
Is that a challenge? It might be a bit cold for stubbies and a singlet though. I might wait a bit longer before trying to make a tit of myself at Helicentre if that's ok.
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