FlyCom Helmet

[rcflier]

I bought a new Flycom helmet from the UK before I started schooling in my MTO. As I upgraded my Funke radio to a 8.33 version
I wanted to make sure it would work perfectly. So a very expensive helmet became even more.....

And I have to turn the mic volume up to max to even use it.

My instructor found out he couldn't use his Bose headset in the open MTO. So he bought a Microavionics helmet
which works perfectly - better than my Flycom.

So I wrote Flycom to ask why my helmet doesn't work like it should - and I was ignored completely!

Would I buy another Flycom helmet - what do you think?

I will give them one more chance to put things right, though. I'll now write them again.

Cheers
Erik

 

[loftus]

The biggest issue I have with headsets is not ambient noise getting past the earpieces, but any back-seat passenger's mike picking up a LOT of wind and engine noise (especially on takeoff), thus activating the intercom. I have tried various mike covers, but usually I have to turn intercom squelch WAY up to prevent this. I am thinking about getting a third headset – right now I just have two – the one I normally use for myself is a lot better in this regard than the cheaper one I had designated for passengers.

I have the same issue in my Aircam; wind noise in the mic is the problem, not ambient noise. Particularly a problem with passengers not used to properly positioning the mike etc. I already have PTT switches installed and turn off the intercom on takeoff and before landing when I have to communicate outside the aircraft. Ultimately I think helmets with a face shield will be the best option so I am researching these.

 

[Tyger]

An interesting article about helmet use, in general:

The Case For Flight Helmets - AVweb

A flight helmet doesn't look ridiculous in a Stearman, why should it in a Cirrus? Maybe because the more sophisticated an airplane is, the less likely you think you are to crash it.

www.avweb.com

 

[loftus]

An interesting article about helmet use, in general:

The Case For Flight Helmets - AVweb

A flight helmet doesn't look ridiculous in a Stearman, why should it in a Cirrus? Maybe because the more sophisticated an airplane is, the less likely you think you are to crash it.

www.avweb.com

Thanks for that, good points made. I'm definitely going to be shopping for a good helmet. Safety and crash protection, better passive noise reduction, and a good UV protecting visor to help with wind noise and protect my eyes as those cataracts start to form.

 

[Abid]

I bought a new Flycom helmet from the UK before I started schooling in my MTO. As I upgraded my Funke radio to a 8.33 version
I wanted to make sure it would work perfectly. So a very expensive helmet became even more.....

And I have to turn the mic volume up to max to even use it.

My instructor found out he couldn't use his Bose headset in the open MTO. So he bought a Microavionics helmet
which works perfectly - better than my Flycom.

So I wrote Flycom to ask why my helmet doesn't work like it should - and I was ignored completely!

Would I buy another Flycom helmet - what do you think?

I will give them one more chance to put things right, though. I'll now write them again.

Cheers
Erik

I used to be a huge fan of Flycom. I sold them with open cockpit trikes and gyroplanes and honestly made nothing of them. It was just the best helmet to protect my customer's hearing and provide protection to their head if they fell to the side or something. Dave Grey and his family owned Flycom and I could e-mail Dave or even call him in the UK and we could figure out small issues right on the spot. Later Dave passed his company to his son. He later on sold it to a bigger Avionics company who runs it now. It went downhill from there. From support, warranty or just plain being friends perspective. I switched to MicroAvionics as it is still run by a person who cares about this type of flying. Same deal. I hardly make anything from selling them but it is a convenience for my customers when they order a gyro to also get something that I know works.

I can tell you why you are having to turn up the volume on your Flycom helmet all the way with Funk radio/com. Its because the impedance in the Flycom helmet speakers is mismatched with GA standard radios. I do believe or at least I seem to remember that in the settings for Funk there is a provision to set Mic Gain. You need to play with that setting and reduce the volume of Flycom helmet to say 75%. It can be done. Its been a while but I think we did that for TAG at Bensen Days about 4 years ago with Flycom helmets.
The best quietest thing would be to use the Blackbox intercom wired to your Funk radio so your jacks and PTT plug into Flycom blackbox intercom. You cannot get it better than that. But Funk built-in intercom can also work nicely by setting things up properly in settings if I remember. Flycom also sells "GA" version of helmets which do not have this impedance mismatch.

 

[Abid]

I'm not a big fan of integrated helmet/headsets like Flycom, but I might be persuaded to try a MicroAvionics headset at some point, if you really do think their mics are that much better for open cockpits.

UL-200 headset and MM020A-N helmet from MicroAvionics works very well (they are separate). It has a specific ANR and very good passive noise reduction with Peltor ear defenders and a noise cancelling mike.

But UL-200 may have to be changed to GA-200 in your case because our setup allows me to set up Mic Gain separately to balance the impedance mismatch that your GA intercom may not be able to do.

 

[Sv.grainne]

Like I said earlier, nothing I could do with radio setups made my helmet work at all. I gave up, took the audio module out of the helmet and installed a David Clark mic. All good now.

Support from FlyCom. None...

 

[rcflier]

A few days ago I made a complaint about my microphone via Flycom's website.
And I got a prompt result! Nick Colman wrote me he remembered my first complaint
which he thought had been taken care of. He made excuses and gave me two choices:
Me sending the helmet back to fix it or them sending me the correct microphone, so I can make a switch.
Because of Brexit I'll take option two. If I should have a problem making the exchange I have
a very electronics capable friend.

Just wanted you to know it looks like the issue is being resolved.

Cheers
Erik

 

[Sv.grainne]

That's great. He made the same offer to me after about 2 weeks. I had already modified my helmet.

Bobby

 

[mark biddle]

A few days ago I made a complaint about my microphone via Flycom's website.
And I got a prompt result! Nick Colman wrote me he remembered my first complaint
which he thought had been taken care of. He made excuses and gave me two choices:
Me sending the helmet back to fix it or them sending me the correct microphone, so I can make a switch.
Because of Brexit I'll take option two. If I should have a problem making the exchange I have
a very electronics capable friend.

Just wanted you to know it looks like the issue is being resolved.

Cheers
Erik

Erik i would be really interested in how it goes with the new mic as i am still having the same issues with my flycom

 

[Chook]

Erik i would be really interested in how it goes with the new mic as i am still having the same issues with my flycom

Mark which PS engineering intercom are you using? PM1200?

Regards......Chook.

 

[mark biddle]

Hi Chook, yes pm1200 intercom. I thought i had it sorted but still getting a problem with the mic cutting off while talking.

 

[GyrOZprey]

AHA ...I too have issues with the FLyCom mic cutting out after 3 sec while my passenger talks! Works fine on older Funk version of radio ... but the newer ones with different matched harness ...seem to have issues with FlyCom helmets! (and the side tone is not there!)
I have used a newer Flycom M helmet the past year with the newer Funk system ...but for passengers needing the L size helmet ...I have problems! Once a good combo ... now just annoying!

 

[DavePA11]

I had to use Flycom intercom with the Flycom headset. Never go it working with any others…

 

[Chook]

Hi Chook, yes pm1200 intercom. I thought i had it sorted but still getting a problem with the mic cutting off while talking.

Mark are you using another type of headset helmet with a passenger?

My thoughts are more often than not are firstly you must use MATCHED helmets although your complaint of mic switching off during xmission is certainly something to do with the squelch setting.
I once ordered a pair of helmets for a gyro install from Flycom and had all sorts of feedback and signal level problems. Further investigation found that they had supplied me with one GA helmet and one ultralight helmet although the invoice showed them to be both the ultralight series.

Regards.........Chook.

 

[Sv.grainne]

Squelch has nothing to do with intercom.

 

[Sv.grainne]

My situation was in the front with my FlyCom with instructor in the back with a different setup. Could hear him fine and the radio but my mic audio extremely low. Removed the active circuit and replaced the mic with a David Clark mic and fine now.

 

[Tyger]

Squelch has nothing to do with intercom.

The term does apply if you are using a voice-activated intercom – higher "squelch" means a higher sound threshold for activation. That's what Trig calls it on my system.

 

[rcflier]

Erik i would be really interested in how it goes with the new mic as i am still having the same issues with my flycom

Hi Mark.
The new mic is stuck in customs. So I have to pay sales tax and handling fee whenever customs get around to it...
I paid for a GA upgrade and the mic was a gift - which some technician forgot to install. BTW, thank you Brexit.
Cheers
Erik

 

[mark biddle]

Hi Mark.
The new mic is stuck in customs. So I have to pay sales tax and handling fee whenever customs get around to it...
I paid for a GA upgrade and the mic was a gift - which some technician forgot to install. BTW, thank you Brexit.
Cheers
Erik

Hi Eric, you are right about getting stuff delivered, it's a real nightmare these days and real bad being way down here in New Zealand. my flycom was a new ga helmet but i have got to thinking that it may have the wrong mic installed like you. Not to sure how to do a reading on the mic so if any one knows that would be very help full.