Are Helmets Mandatory for Helicopter Pilots?
If you have ever flown in a helicopter or watched pilots conduct flight operations, you may have noticed that some pilots will wear a helmet while others will only have a Adapter headset. As pilots in fixed-wing aircraft do not use helmets as well, one may wonder if there are benefits to utilizing such protective equipment or mandatory rules that dictate their use. In this blog, we will discuss helicopter helmets and their functionality, answering the question of why some pilots wear them while others don’t.
For most helicopter operators and companies, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet during standard flight procedures. Nevertheless, many commercial pilots and private fliers will still utilize them. For some pilots, wearing a helmet can depend upon the nature of flight. For instance, many pilots may wear helmets for every flight to protect themselves, just as one may for riding a bike. While not mandatory for certain instances, pilots may want further protection for their cranium in the case that any accident occurs. Helicopters skid tube parts will often operate at low levels and over dangerous terrain, and rotary wing aircraft are not as capable as fixed wing aircraft at carrying out gliding landings during an emergency. As a low height accident can be very survivable, having a helmet simply increases pilot safety.
In some instances, the choice between wearing a helmet or not can also come down to perception. When conducting passenger flight operations, some pilots may choose to only wear a headset during the flight. According to some, this can alleviate the tensions of passengers, allowing them to feel more comfortable and not that they are in unsafe conditions because the pilot has a helmet and they don’t. Additionally, such operations are often much simpler than aerial work, thus the decreased risk permits less protection.
Beyond personal preference, the reason that some may not use helmets is due to their price. On average, a helmet can cost upwards of $3,000, not including any additional accessories that the pilot may want or need for a particular operation. As such, some pilots are pushing for companies to help cover costs, allowing them to have increased safety and the benefits that accessories bring. For instance, the visors of helmets can be simple but useful, allowing for pilots to shield their eyes from sunlight and glares without the need for sunglasses. For night flights, a helmet may also have night vision goggles attached, permitting the pilot to see their surroundings with ease. As a last benefit that can aid pilots during flight, many helmets will have noise cancelling capabilities, ensuring that pilots can hear communication better without the loud operations of the rotorcraft taking over.
While helmets are not necessarily mandatory for most companies and flights, they can still offer various benefits that make them very advantageous when conducting aerial work. Nevertheless, the use of a helmet will often depend on the pilot and their preferences, as well as their financial ability to procure such components. As increased safety is always beneficial, one should consider utilizing a helmet if they can for more protection.
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