As a past gyro pilot from the days when instruction simply wasn't possible
and a licensed "Stuck Wing" pilot as well as helo rated, I chose to wear a
helmet. I only needed it in the gyro to attenuate the noisy engine. I
never wore a helmet in the "Stuck Wing" simply because I didn't have one.
However when we encountered the rotor off the Sierra wave one day I could
have used the helmet to keep my head from beating on the canopy of a T-34.
I chose to wear the helmet in a helicopter because in a crash and even with
zero forward speed, the blades can contact something outside and start
flinging shrapnel about. Also the chief instructor of the test pilot school
has said he doesn't feel too safe in a helicopter where the pilot is not
helmeted. His example was a bird came thru the windscreen and the helmet
with visor saved the pilot from serious injury and the passengers from a
sh--ty ride with an unconscious pilot. Also a widely experienced bush pilot
of my acquaintenance requires his pilots working for him in the " Stuck
Wings" to wear helmet, Nomex suits and gloves. This highly experienced
pilot has a bunch of stories that supply good reasons for insisting on these
safety items.
"Jim Stewart" wrote in message
.. .
Jim Stewart wrote:
Gig 601XL Builder wrote:
virtuPIC wrote:
Yes, I confess. I don't know much about rotorcrafts. Especially
regarding gyrocopters my knowledge is even more limited.

However, on the net I just stumbled over UFO HeliThruster. Rumors are
that it is rather stable. The manufacturer not only sells kits but
also (FAA-?) certified planes.

If I would buy such a certified HeliThruster, fit it with the
necessary instruments, and give it an N-registration, would I be
allowed to fly it IFR given that I had the necessary pilot
certificates? Would I be allowed to fly it outside US?

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
virtuPIC

With the certified probably not. With the EX-AB sure, if you can get the
DAR to write the limitations correctly.

If you do this let us know. We are always looking for a deal on good
used avionics and salvage is usually a pretty good place to look.

LOL. I was wondering how you'd bring
it all together in the end...

You might also want to ask yourself why
so many of the pictures show pilots wearing
helmets....