Highlighted in AirBeat Magazine's Fall 2024 Edition
As someone who has had the privilege of working alongside Ron Abbott at Evolution Helmets, I've had the pleasure of learning how a moment of danger sparked a revolution in aviation safety and the birth of our company. Our story, featured in the recent AirBeat Magazine, is not just about flight helmets—it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation safety equipment.
The Defining Moment
It all started nearly 25 years ago, on a routine night flying for Air Evac Lifeteam in Muscle Shoals, AL, when Ron experienced a near-miss bird strike. He was not wearing a helmet, which was not uncommon at the time. This incident was a wakeup call for Abbott. He realized the critical need for accessible, affordable and reliable helmets in civilian and professional aviation—prompting a decision that would set the course for our company. Abbott's firsthand pilot experience and the gaps he identified in the market led to the birth of Helicopter Helmet, LLC, which evolved into the creation of Evolution Aviation Helmets or known around the world as Evo Helmets.
Quote from Abbott in the article in AirBeat: "Between calls while working the nightshift, I developed processes to repair and refurbish the helmets and sell them to other civil and EMS pilots in need."
Innovation at the Core
Driven by a passion to improve pilot safety, Ron transformed his insights into action. The company quickly grew, staring in facilities in Charleston, SC in a 1,500 sq foot building in 2009 to a 4,000 sq ft building in Johns Island, SC. After refurbishing thousands of helmets, the move to an even larger facility was needed to accommodate our expanding operations. Today, we continue to innovate, expand our product line and operate out of two buildings in Melbourne, FL, totaling 17,000 square feet!
Ron Abbott on Innovation: "We strive to be innovative, and consequently, we were the first to bring several needed upgrades to the helmet market."
Some of these pioneering advancements include the integration of the Bose A20 into our helmets, inventing a disconnect breakaway main communications cord for emergency egress, and developing a dual impedance switch—all of which have set new benchmarks in the industry.
"Some of the Helicopter Helmet and Evolution Helmet “firsts” include:
1. Installed the Bose A20 into helmets (the company holds the patent for the SPH-5 Bose Install kit). Incorporated the Fidlock Chin Strap Buckle, now common on most helmets.
2. Created a disconnect breakaway main communications cord for emergency egress.
3. Invented the Universal NVG Interface adapter for MSA Gallet helmets; the device is used on EVO flight helmets worldwide.
4. Incorporated an NVG battery holder for communications cable strain relief.
5. Developed a helmet-mounted dual impedance switch.
6. The EVO Flight Helmet was the first to be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) under the new Flight Helmet Standards adopted several years ago.
Expanding Our Horizons
But our innovations aren’t limited to just manufacturing. Recognizing long repair flight helmet wait times across the industry, we dedicated a significant portion of our plant floor to helmet repair services, providing support for all brands and models. Our capabilities extend beyond just helmets; we now also manufacture flight suits, flight jackets, and even the MK-1 Aircraft Carrier flight deck jacket.
Ron Abbott on Our Capabilities: "We have a complete sewing shop, paint shop, manufacturing floor and R&D. We stock parts for every brand of helmet and have a dedicated team with years of experience in repairing helmets. What we don't have, we make."
Global Reach and Responsibility
Our commitment to innovation and quality has also led us to become the exclusive distributor in North and South America for the Poseidon Emergency Breathing System (EBS) from Sweden. This role is not just about distribution, it's about ensuring availability, reliability and timely support for emergency breathing lifesaving equipment, tanks and breathers. We have the ability to fill and re-fill EBS apparatuses to 4,5000 PSI which many regular dive shops have a limit of 3,000 psi. Find these and all other aviation survival at www.aviationsurvival.com and www.helicopterhelmet.com.
A Continued Commitment to Safety
We've also ventured into the marine sector giving support for air and sea operations with the Life Raft Store, further diversifying our impact on safety equipment across industries. Abbott's deep understanding of the needs of offshore pilots has driven us to offer comprehensive solutions that enhance safety and performance. We are currently the largest distributor of Winslow life rafts and the world and you can find them at www.liferaftstore.com.
Ron Abbott Reflects on Innovation: "We are self-sufficient in that we require very little in finished products... Combined with our sewing shop and tooling that we have around the world made for Evolution Helmets, we can operate with no excuses on lead times."
Invitation to Explore More
To learn more about how Ron Abbott's encounter with a near-miss turned into a saga of innovation that continues to redefine industry standards, I encourage you to read the full article in AirBeat Magazine. Read the full story here https://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=832263
