EP 11 Should I buy a Headset or Helmet?

All right, welcome back to Hogg's Daily Flight Brief. And this one is about helicopter helmets. Again, do your research is the first thing I'll say and pick what is right for you. We're out flying around today. We're not wearing helmets. I choose to not wear a helmet. Have I worn a helmet in the past?

Yes.

When I was required to flying in EMS for five years, I wore a helmet. I am sure it's like riding a motorcycle on a helmet. I suppose.

Right.

If you get in an accident, you're wearing a helmet. I'm sure that it's going to be safer.

Correct.

But I also like the freedom of headsets. Summertime especially, I want to have the doors off. And I'll be honest, I wear and people. I've been slammed on this in the past in videos and I don't really care. In the summertime, doors off. I'm wearing shorts and a T shirt. I don't care. And I'm wearing headsets. I'm not gonna go out in the summertime on a beautiful day and ride around with a big old headset on or a helmet on. And you know, I do believe in proper flight preparation, being as safe as you can, doing proper maintenance. Yes. Anything happened can happen. Yeah. On a beautiful day. I got ejected from helicopter destroyed itself on the ramp about 10 miles behind us. So of all people I know you can get in a helicopter accident. It can happen. I got ejected. Luckily, the seat. I went with the seat. The seat hit the ground. I was knocked unconscious and I rolled over. Thank God it did, you know, but maybe that is what's wrong with me. Maybe I did hit my head that day.

That could be it.

That might be the problem. I'm sure that they're safer. Do I want to wear one if I'm not required to 056 I'm not gonna. Is departing two seven staying in the powder. Any feedback on helmets, Chris?

I can honestly say that I have never worn a helmet, so I don't have a whole lot of input. I can only imagine that, you know, the reason for helmet wearing from the companies is because it is safer. If you get in an accident, it's gonna, like you said, riding motorcycle, it's gonna protect your head. So I think that's just a standard thing in utility work or EMS operations, that kind of stuff. You know, if they're doing jobs that are, I guess it's not more dangerous than instructing. But the other thing that I thought of about it is that, you know, most of the people that are wearing helmets, they're in a much bigger aircraft. They're not in a training helicopter.

Sure.

I mean, could you imagine if both of them, you and I were both wearing helmets in here? We'd be banging our heads and I'd be hitting the side of the door jam here and everything. Right. So, you know, you know, most of the time that you see guys wearing helmets, you're in a bigger aircraft, you're in a, in a Dolphin, or you're in an EC145 or you're in an MD500, you know, you're in a bigger aircraft, you have a little bit more room. And for instructing, we don't wear them because a lot of times, I mean, I know most of my students do not purchase their own headsets. They use what's in the aircraft. So, I mean, to go out as a new student and purchase a helmet, you're. What is that, 12, 15, hundred? Would think, if not more, depending on.

The make.

I mean, I don't know. So I can only imagine, too, that you don't see it in the instructing world because usually the flight schools provide the headsets, and it's just an added cost to a person who's already spending a lot of money training. And again, those are just my opinions, my thoughts. I don't really know why, you know, but I would think that that's gotta all be part of it.

I think you're right. I mean, especially cost.

Right.

So, again, slam me if you want. I'm sure they're safer. And if you want to wear a helmet, that's great. And if you, if it's in your budget to buy one, buy one. I'm sure a helmet is safer. I just don't choose to wear one.

And I agree with you. In the summer, I have to wear pants and like a polo shirt when I'm, when I'm constructing.

Sure.

But if I'm out flying on my own and having some fun. Yeah. And it's in the middle of summer, the doors are off. I'm probably in shorts and a T shirt and shoes now. I don't. I have not gone as far as to wear sandals as I'm flying. I don't do flip flops, but.

But I do wear.

I do wear these shoes, but, yeah, you'll find me in shorts and T shirts usually.

So again, do your own research. If a helmet's something you're interested in and it's. It's in your budget, go for it. But people ask what kind of Helmet should I get? I don't know. I mean, I can't make a recommendation for you. And as far as, like, headsets, I even go as far as they ask me all the time, what headset should I get, Kenny? You know what? I don't care if it fits on my head and it works, comfortable. I don't really care. A Bose is nice. You know, noise canceling is nice, but I grew up in helicopters without them. It's nice to have, but if you're on a budget most of the time, like Chris said, you don't even have. Usually the flight school will usually have headsets in the helicopter. That is the normal. Some places may not.

Right.

So you don't have to feel like if you're brand new, you gotta run right out by headset. Unless the flight school requires you to do it.

Okay, then go get one.

But I would again, I do a little research and figure out what's right for you, what's right for your budget.

And, you know, I just thought of this. It's just popped me. A lot of. A lot of the helmets are designed so you can put attachments on it.

Yes.

Ems, you know, night vision or.

Absolutely.

The military, night vision, infrared, that kind of stuff. So, you know, not only does it protect you, but a lot of those utility companies work it because you could put attachments on it. So.

Absolutely.

There you go.

And that's a good point because we did. I wore a helmet flying EMS, and we did night vision goggles. Even in the EC130, you're still like, you're turning your head and you're going. You're knocking the goggles into the side.

Yeah.

So you're like leaning over to do this. So. Yes. And even in a smaller, you know, helicopter, when you're in there, boom, you're banging your head in the side. Anyway, do your research. Pick what's right for you. There's nothing wrong with them. I'm sure they're safer. All right, so tomorrow or the next video we're gonna do. Oh, Chris came up with this one this morning. Do I need my fixed wing first before helicopter, which does still come up. And then does it save money doing the fixed wing before the helicopter? Two good ones coming up in the next video. Put your comments down below what you want to see. Pre Maneuver Maneuver Guide. Helicopter Maneuver Guide. Based on the helicopter flying handbook. Our operations manager, Brian Rutledge, fix it all up. A nice download. It's down below. Get it for free. Subscribe. Click the bell. I'll See you tomorrow. Peace out. Okay, let make sure. Helicopter, helicopter rental, insurance, 22. We got plenty of fuel.

Oh yeah, we got. We're good for another hour and a half. We need.

Okay, Sam.