As a pilot, you know that your flight helmet is one of your most critical pieces of gear. It's where you mount your communications, it helps shield your ears, it provides a mount for night vision goggles, and it protects one of the most important parts of you: your head. That means it's imperative for you to have a helmet that can both withstand the rigors of flight and is still comfortable for you to wear. That means getting a tough yet light helmet. Does such a thing exist? Let Evolution Helmets guide you to the best lightweight flight helmet on the market: the EVO XPH Carbon Fiber Helmet.
Helmet Standards
All aviation helmets in the United States must meet certain requirements to be approved by the Office of Aviation Services. Each line of flight helmets is put through a battery of tests to ensure that they are rugged enough to withstand normal operating conditions. These trials include the retention system, impact resistance, heat exposure, and sound and communications tests. All aviation helmets must also include certain components and characteristics, from shell and visor to certifications and labeling. These standards include a weight objective, which "should not exceed the recommended helmet system weight of 2.27 kg (5 lbs.) to prevent neck strain and fatigue."
The EVO XPH Aviation Carbon Fiber Helmet
The EVO XPH Carbon Fiber Helmet is a new and innovative aviation helmet design. Its shell is constructed of Kevlar and Fiberglass. The shell is very thick at 3 millimeters, twice that of any other brand of aviation helmet. The only ones in its class that equal its thickness are the EVO 052, 152, and 252. You might think that the thickness of the shell would make this helmet very heavy. However, due to the composition of the helmet shell, the EVO XPH is actually very lightweight without sacrificing resilience to penetration and impact. This quality ensures your comfort on long flights, reducing neck strain and helping to keep you alert.
Other Features
Communications
The lightweight and durable design of the EVO XPH isn't all this aviation helmet has to offer. Each EVO XPH comes ready to fly with its own communications. This feature includes an innovative Quick Release Communication Cable System, ensuring that you won't waste any time with your communication cable if you have to make quick egress from the aircraft. This cable can easily be swapped out between different aircraft. The helmet also has its own night vision goggle (NVG) battery mount, so there is no need for Velcro straps to attach NVG batteries.
Configurations and Customization
The EVO XPH is offered in two different configurations: an NVG version and a non-NVG version. The NVG version is slightly more expensive, but the price is well worth it for the versatility of night flying. Each version is a Dual Visor helmet and comes in your choice of clear, yellow, or gray lenses and optional chrome gold for bright days. Evolution Helmets offers a wide range of options for you to customize your EVO XPH. You can choose from a menu of numerous different features, including:
- Helmet size, ranging from medium to XXL
- Helmet color, including olive green, FBI gray, and your own custom color among others
- Helmet finish, including matte, gloss, metallic, or pearl
- Visor cover color and finish
- Lense configuration for inside and outside lenses
- NVG options
- Microphone
- Cord connection
- Cord preference
- Ear cup preference
- ANR option
- CEP/CME option (cannot be combined with Bose)
- Mike Lite/Lip Lite
- Name/lettering on the helmet and color for the name/lettering
- Color of helmet bag
- Additional options, including flex boom, volume control, impedance kit, skull cap, earcup spacer kit, and Bluetooth options
Warranties
Evolution Helmets cares about the quality of the products our customers receive, and that's why we package our EVO XPH with three different warranties. This includes a 1-year warranty on helmet functions, a 2-year warranty on the communications components and communications cord, and a 5-year warranty on the earphones and microphone. Please note that these warranties do not cover abuse or wear items including but not limited to Edge Roll, Liner, Ear Seals, and other components that come into contact with the wearer's face or head.