Information you should know before you spend hundreds of dollars for a helmet.

     Gentex is the only American life-support equipment company making flight helmets approved by all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces including the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Army, as well as by the Coast Guard, NASA, and dozens of governmental agencies.

     Flight Suits is the only company authorized by Gentex Corporation to distribute Gentex flying helmets in the United States.

     You have probably found quite a few dealers advertising "Gentex" helmets.   The internet and aviation publications are full of these ads.  However, almost all helmet dealers are actually selling military surplus, used, or reconditioned helmets.

     Military pilots usually turn in their helmets when they leave the armed forces.   Crewmen often turn in their equipment when they are transferred.  The armed forces sell this used gear for pennies on the dollar at surplus sales.

     Helmet dealers purchase these obsolete, surplus helmets in bulk. They take them apart, repaint them, replace a few parts, and sometimes they even add parts they have made themselves.  Then they sell these helmets for nearly the price of a genuine, new, Gentex helmet.

     Some helmet dealers falsely advertise their helmets as new when they actually are military surplus.  The military may have stored the helmets in a warehouse for years and sold them for a few dollars each when they became obsolete.

     Of course, if you are a collector and want a military surplus helmet, you can find one from these dealers.  But don't let them fool you into thinking you are buying a genuine, new, Gentex helmet with up-to-date technology.

     Before you spend hundreds of dollars for a flying helmet, find out what you are actually buying.  Ask the dealer:

• Is your company an authorized Gentex dealer?
• Did you purchase the helmet directly from Gentex or Flight Suits?
• Is the helmet military surplus?
• Does it contain any military surplus or used parts?
• How long is the warranty and what is covered?
• Can I get my money back if I am not satisfied?
• How long do I have to send the helmet back if I decide I don't want it?

     Pay by credit card.  If you are not happy, you can stop the credit card payment.

     Check with Gentex to see which company is their authorized dealer.  Go to Gentex Corporation's web site to check their distributor list.