Helicopter/Airplane Helmet MSA Gallet LH250 Baseball Style Sun Visor Mod
by heli__guy in Workshop > Repair
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Helicopter/Airplane Helmet MSA Gallet LH250 Baseball Style Sun Visor Mod
I find that when flying directly into the sun at the very early hours or twilight hours, the glare of the sun is unbearable. Even with darkly tinted visors, the experience is fatiguing and also makes reading the gauges and GPS challenging at times due to the reduced contrast.
I decided to mod my helmet, MSA Gallet LH250 in my case, with an aftermarket sun visor and thought it would be helpful for other pilots to share the info.
Supplies
Tools required:
- 2.5mm Allen wrench (used to remove temple visor knobs).
- Drill (preferably drill press).
- 5/32" Carbide Drill Bit for Carbon Fiber see picture below (for more info see this excellent article:
https://www.elevatedmaterials.com/drilling-carbon-fiber/ - #1 Philips Screw Driver
- ¼" wrench
- If needed a screw cutting/terminal crimping tool to cut screws down to the correct length, something like this: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/klein-tools-multi-purpose-6-in-1-tool/1000421422 see picture below
Parts required:
- 3 × countersunk 4-40 screws 5/16" length (head tip to thread end)
- 3 × locking washers (star washers preferably, or split washer)
- 3 × 4-40 nuts
- 3 × Male Snap Fasteners.
For example: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/outbound-snap-fastener-kit-0765640p.html#srp
- Aftermarket Helmet sun visor, I got mine on Ali Express, very cheap but shipping takes several weeks:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vehemo-3-Snap-Motorcycle-Cycling-Helmet-Peak-Top-Sun-Shade-Visor-Shield-Black/32832586387.html
items available on Amazon with faster shipping but at a higher price, for example:
https://www.amazon.ca/Core-Vintage-Helmet-Visor-Black/dp/B00F5ZMWLK
Remove Outer Visor Guard
- Remove Allen screws from visor adjustment temple knobs.
- Pry gently both temple knobs away from the helmet and swing up the outer visor guard it should then be able to lift up out of the helmet.
Drilling Fasteners Into Outer Visor Guard
- Mark the location of the 3 snap fasteners along the bottom edge of the guard.
- Support the visor guard with scrap wood on the drill press and drill the 3 holes.
- Drill the 3 holes.
Attach Snap Fasteners
- Attach snap fasteners with hardware.
- If screws need to be shortened use the screw cutting tool (see photos of tool)
Reattach Outer Visor
- Attach the rear part with two pins first
- Then swing the guard down whilst pulling temple knobs out slightly.
- Once the temple knobs are in the temple holes, you will need to rotate the knobs slowly until they "click" into place.
- Then reattach the temple knobs screws using the 2.5mm Allen wrench
- Sun visor can now be easily installed on the helmet, using the 3 snap fasteners.