Helmets

I have worn a military helmet for wave flights, also.

For a self portrait at 21,000 feet, see
http://www.soarelsinore.org/graphics/126Jock.jpg

The helmet protects the noggin, also from the cold! During one flight
at 23,000 feet, the temp was -40, and that's where C = F, burrr! A
drafty (even with good canopy seals) 1-26 offers none of the (scant?)
insulation offered by glass birds. I later went to 28,300 feet, and
only my feet were cold.

That said, a helmet like this could be a liability, not a safety
feature, during hot summer thermaling.

Perhaps the way to added protection is for us to innovate before they
regulate: some bright and creative person could come up with an
active cooling lightweight head protection -- connect the helmet to
your Camelback? Integral visor with better eye protection than Sun
Tiger sunglasses? (And added protection during those annoying
birdstrikes...in my 1-26, I'm always hit from behind...). Integral
communication suite (mic and phone, connection input for your iPod,
cell phone, sat phone and the voice recognition features of WinPilot
12.6 on your turbo iPaq 9995). If you've got TCAS, the helmet can
project targeting (er, I mean advisory) information on your helmet
mounted visor cueing system. The built-in video recording device
would provide even more excitement on OLC...coming to SeeYou version
8.2: out the window video submenus...

Of course, they'll need to be stylish: Bad Boy, No Fear, racing
stripes...customized to your liking...

Just when you thought soaring couldn't get more expensive, the $975.00
helmet requirement will most certainly doom the sport.

While I feel so "cool" wearing my helmet, I think everybody would be
safer if they spent the money taking a couple more pattern tows to
practice landings (and off-field landings, too), or spent a little
more time getting some dual with a Constant Flight Interruptor (CFI),
even if you're a triple-diamond, thousand-k, two-time open class
champion.

So when are the champion race pilots going to start advocating this?
(Instruction, not helmets). I have to give a nod here to longtime
safety proponents like Knauff & Striedek (okay, I've left a few more
out, but I'm a 1-26er, so there).

-Pete
#309