Helmet Fire

By Ens. Aaron Metrick

he turnaround period between the T-6A Texan II and the mighty T-1A Jayhawk is relatively short for student naval-flight officers. As I stepped to the plane for my second flight (my first low-level, visual-navigation flight), my brain was about maxed out, running through the new procedures, techniques, and turn points. I finished my walk-around and started to set up my “nest,” while the pilot completed his walk-around.

As I put on my headset, my ears felt hot. From my impressive 1.5 flight hours of experience in the T-1, I knew the headsets were not down-pillow comfortable, but this feeling was different. Not giving it much thought, I just assumed the headset was a little tight, and I was not going to complain about a slight nuisance to my comfort. I certainly had plenty of other more important things to think about.

We ran through the checklists, and I paid no attention to my headset or ears. I completely was zoned in and focused on getting airborne and onto the victor route. The very few seconds I wasn’t busy, however, all I could think about were my ears. Again, I just attributed that problem to the headset being too tight, my ears being too large, or the headset incorrectly positioned. I was fully occupied with all my procedures and trying to apply them for the first time. Applying turn geometry while figuring out the winds and putting in speed and time corrections for being early and

Little did I know, in this instance, the fire was literal.

late to my points, I certainly had some of the famous helmet fire. Little did I know, in this instance, the fire was literal.

After hitting the target and heading home without incident, the instructor was encouraging. He said for the first low-level flight, I had done well. “That’s great,” I thought, as I played around with the headset, trying to loosen it and put it in a less-painful position. As we came into the terminal area, course rules were shut down for weather, so I pulled out the good ol’ approach plate, Volume 19, and briefed the low TACAN. Again, I was so focused on getting everything done, I ignored the headset problem.

As we finally taxied back and shut down the engines, I removed my headset with the anticipation of a child at Christmas. I immediately touched my ears and was welcomed with fluid. “My ears really must have been sweating,” I figured. They still felt like they were on fire, but I paid little credence to that possibility.

Back in the student ready room, I realized something might be wrong. Everyone started to gawk at the identical, and rather unappealing, burn blisters I had on each ear. I went to the bathroom to check for myself, and sure enough, I had two large blisters. I still just figured it was something wrong with me; maybe I had worn the headset wrong, maybe I hadn’t loosened it correctly, or maybe my ears just were too big.

Not until the next day, when I talked to my flight commander, was I convinced the problem wasn’t me. She said there must have been a malfunction with the headset that had let me have such an “enjoyable” flight. I obviously should have recognized the problem and immediately spoken up. I had experienced nothing like that on my first flight (an observer hop), or during the introductory-flight syllabus (IFS) where you wear the same style headset.

Even on your first flight in a new plane, don’t become so focused on any one aspect that you become oblivious to other problems, such as your ears burning. If you ever do feel something not quite right, it’s best to speak up.

Ens. Metrick was a student at VT-4.

Naval aviation always has stressed the importance of a good aircraft preflight. But how many of us thoroughly inspect the gear we fly with and wear every flight, like flight suits and gloves. The headsets in this aircraft are “pool issue” and probably have as many flight hours as the aircraft. This incident proves it wouldn’t hurt to spend the five seconds necessary to look over your headset before putting it on. The headset manufacturer had no other reports of similar incidents. The David Clark headset model H10-76, which draws less than .1 amps of power, is use extensively by the military.

Stress is part of the training environment, but this type of stress is not intended. This situation is one reason we discuss “training time outs” every brief. Don’t try and override what your body is telling you. If it looks hot and feels hot, there is a good chance it is hot. Maybe it’s just me, but I have a gut feeling, after this article is released, these ears will be burning for a long time.—Lt. Joe Huffine, safety officer, VT-4.