The DOI/USFA aviation helmet standards provide a way to allow helmets (other than military helmets) considered for acquisition. Manufacturers can test their helmets within certified laboratories and testing grounds to fit the DOI aviation helmet standards. Those helmets that meet or exceed the expectations of the testing and standards can be issued a certificate of compliance. After this these helmets will be identified by the manufacturer and model type on the OAS website up to 30 days after receiving their certificate.
What Are the DOI/USFA Aviation Helmet Standards?
The aviation helmets standards specify that the helmet but be compatible within their operational environment. You must be able to communicate and see while the protective piece is in use. DOI ensures this by making test methodologies a requirement that must be passed for the helmet to be compatible with their standards.
The DOI also utilizes both hemisphere and flat anvils for impact testing "All impacts for performance assessments are conducted onto flat impact anvils. The hemispherical anvil was eliminated after ALSERP [Aviation Life Support Equipment Recovery Program] investigators revealed less than 3 percent of helmet impacts resulted from hemispherically shaped objects, while flat surfaces accounted for over 60 percent." USAARL Report No. 98-12, U.S. Army Aircrew Helmets: Head Injury Mitigation Technology (Reprint), Pg. 10.
The following is the sequence at which these tests take place:
Inspection
- Configuration and Associated Inspections, §5.1 ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2008 or MIL-STD-1916
- Labeling, §5.2 FMVSS No. 218 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 (Motorcycles))
- Vision, §5.3 FMVSS No. 218 Weight, §5.4 AFRL-RH-WP-TR-2008-0096 (Air Force Research Lab Tech Report)
- Headform Selection, §6.1 ASTM F2220
- Test Line, §6.2 FMVSS No. 218
- Conditioning, §6.3. FMVSS No. 218
Testing shall be performed in the following order:
- Retention System, Positional Stability Testing, §6.4 ASTM F1446
- Impact Attenuation Testing, §6.5 FMVSS No. 218 / The source document for Para 6.5.6 Peak Acceleration Requirements is not listed, nor is it documented within Ver. 4.3. I strongly suspect that Gentex specifications from PS-0025(0058) (SPH-5) were used because the requirements listed in Para 6.5.6 do not come from FMVSS No. 218, FNS PD 96-18 (HGU-56/P), or PS-0020 (SPH-4B).
- Retention System, Static Strength Testing §6.6 FMVSS No. 218
- Heat Exposure Testing, §6.7 MIL-DTL-847474A
- Adhesion of Shell Edge Covering Testing as necessary, §6.8 MIL-H-43925D
- Sound Attenuation Testing as necessary, §6.9 ANSI/ASA S12.6 / MIL-H-43925
- Communication Equipment Talk-Listen Testing as necessary, §6.10 MIL-DTL-27467B
Our Helmet Selection
We have a wide variety of different helmets available that are DOI certified. With this you know you are getting some of the safest helmets on the market. Take a look at our selection of helmets today to see the many different variations we offer! If you have any questions or want to learn more feel free to contact us.