Visor with Dichroic patch

The visor on a flying helmet serves a number of important functions and most helmets are equipped with two visors with an air gap in between; a clear and a dark called respectively the Blast or Display Visor and the Glare or Laser Visor. Visors are usually made of a polycarbonate material and will have a neutral density coating. The most obvious use is to protect the pilot’s eyes from glare and the Glare Visor will do this; a transmission of 15% is typical. This visor reduces solar glare, UV and blue light and thermal transmission. Some systems may have a third visor for laser protection although this function can be incorporated into the Glare Visor if desired.

The second major function is to protect the pilot in the case of ejection particularly from the massive windblast shock as the pilot’s head comes clear of the cockpit. This is the role of the Blast Visor which may also be used to reduce solar effects and on a Helmet Mounted Display this visor may be used to reflect the display image from the optical system back to the pilot’s eyes and as such may have a dichroic patch or more special transmit/reflect coatings over the whole surface. Penetration protection is also provided by the Blast/Display visor and the test involves firing a .22 calibre Fragment Simulating Projectile at the test visor which must survive 3 impacts without penetration.

 Both visors must be optically of high quality so that there is no distortion of the outside world nor spurious reflections.