About Safety  and  E.N. 966 certification
Icaro 2000 presents one of the stringent tests performed on its helmets in order to obtain EN 966 certification for free flight and micro light sports.

Remember that the tests that have to be passed to obtain EN 1077 ski helmet certification are not as demanding as those for EN 966.
Please bear our recommendations in mind at all times: the most important is:

Never fly without a helmet; life is too important to risk losing it due to a senseless omission


Filmed by courtesy of Csi, Italy
  The severe drop test performed
for E.N. 966 certification
Helmet legislation
In the EU and Switzerland, it is obligatory to wear an approved helmet for each sports activity. Every sport has its own characteristics, and therefore the corresponding helmet is specifically tailored to the requirements. In the case of hang gliding, paragliding and microlight flying, tests are particularly severe. Every helmet should have a label inside specifying the standards for which it was tested, and in Europe the respective legislation is EN 966. Anyone selling a helmet has to ensure that it is certified for the sport in which it will be used. Selling an uncertified helmet is an offence liable to criminal prosecution!

All our helmets have been tested and certified by CSI, a company authorized by the Italian Ministry of Transport and recognized by the German TUV. This company issues certification for all helmets manufactured in Italy, including ours, which are designed especially for free flight, in accordance with European standards (EN 966). Our helmets were designed and built specifically to be as light as possible. However they optimize safety for hang glider and paraglider pilots, as shown by the information below.

Principles of head protection
The helmet provides protection by reducing the rate of deceleration of the head during an impact. This is achieved by absorbing kinetic energy. In the case of very minor bumps, the rate of deceleration is reduced simply by the gradual compression of the innermost polyurethane padding layer. In the case of a more abrupt jolt, deceleration is attenuated by the permanent deformation of the inner shell, made in expanded polystyrene. When the amount of energy to be absorbed is much higher, as in a violent impact, the only way of offering protection is by the controlled breakage of the rigid outer shell. In other words, a helmet shell that is too robust will not necessarily offer the best protection, and on the contrary it may actually worsen the situation by increasing the rate of deceleration through the rebound effect. The controlled breakage principle determines the optimal shell material and thickness, so that, in the case of a violent impact, it breaks while absorbing the maximum amount of kinetic energy. This same principle is used in the car industry. In the event of a crash, the front or rear part of the car will progressively collapse, absorbing the impact energy and maintaining the inner cell of the car intact, protecting the passengers. Therefore, it is normal that the helmet’s outer shell should break on strong impact in order to absorb the shock and prevent its transmission to the head. This is why, even though it may seem a contradiction in terms, a helmet must be handled and used with great care. During storage, it must not be exposed to strong pressure, above all in the chin protection and side areas, which are where the helmet should progressively break in order to provide the necessary protection in case of high impact. Likewise, if powerful pressure is deliberately exerted onto the helmet, the surface varnish may split. Cracks on the varnish around the facial area usually appear when the chin protection is strongly pressed backwards. In case of very strong impact, the helmet MUST break in these specific areas! The fact that a free flight helmet should be light is not concerned with just reducing the overall weight of the pilot-craft system. In fact a heavy helmet increases the risk of neck injury on impact due to the increased inertia.

Helmet structure
A helmet has an outer shell in a composite fibre material, and a crushable foam inner shell, in expanded polystyrene. The innermost layer consists of the comfort lining, made in expanded polyurethane and transpirant, non-allergenic textile. This part of the lining enables the helmet to be adapted to different sizes (by means of replaceable lining sections), and it makes it more comfortable. In some models, it may be removable and washable. The helmet may have vents, for internal ventilation and air circulation. The chin strap usually has a rapid fastening system, along with Velcro strips to prevent the ends of the straps from flapping about. The visor is a component that increases protection against cold air and intense sunlight. It is made in anti-abrasion thermoplastic material; it may also be anti-fogging. Just as for high-quality sunglasses, the visor is made of a series of high-technology layers, and so it should be treated with care in order to prevent scratching. The visor should be replaced when vision is impeded by small surface scratches.

Choosing and purchasing a helmet
When you purchase a helmet, the most important consideration is ensuring that the helmet is exactly the right size. Therefore it is important to take your time when choosing a helmet. Try on several different sizes, and for each, fasten and adjust the chinstrap. The helmet should not be so loose that it moves around, but neither so tight that it exerts continuous pressure on your head. In the former case there is the risk of it sliding down and obstructing your vision in flight, and of slipping on impact, exposing parts of the head that should be protected. In the latter case, the inner layer of the helmet is already compressed, reducing its capacity for absorbing impact energy. Therefore, when trying the helmet on, try to pull it off, moving it back and forth: if it tends to slip off or move around, it is too large. Lean your head forwards, grip the helmet’s rear edge, and try to pull the helmet off. If it slides off, it is not suitable for the shape of your head. Another important factor to be considered is the choice between full face and open face helmets. The full face helmet provides protection for the chin area. If, while trying on the helmet, it does not perform satisfactorily for just one of these criteria, you should try another size or another model. Never purchase a second-hand helmet, even if the price seems attractive. There is no way of discerning its real conditions (whether it has been involved in an accident, etc.).

Using the helmet
Once you have chosen the most suitable helmet, make sure that you wear it correctly. For safety, it should always fit snugly, and the strap should be tightly fastened. Remember that the helmet should be worn at all times when practising your sport, in order to exploit the protection that it provides, whatever impact may occur. Though it is true that a helmet can never guarantee total protection for the head when subject to the forces produced by whatever type of impact, this is no excuse to forego wearing a helmet. Before using the helmet, read the instructions and follow the suggestions provided on how to attain a correct fit. Do not use the helmet without fastening the strap. An unfastened helmet will fall off during the first impact, leaving the head defenceless for successive impacts. It may even fall off during flight. Do not fasten the helmet using just the Velcro strips. The Velcro that may be present on the strap is not the principal fastening device: it serves purely to stop it flapping in the wind. If you keep your helmet in your harness pack, don’t sit on it, and ensure that it is not exposed to pressure under the weight of other packs and bags. To ensure maximum performance, never modify your helmet, whatever the circumstances. The helmet can be seriously damaged by paints and varnish, by all types of chemical solvent, and by excessive heat. Therefore do not add painted decoration; do not wash with petrol or solvents; and do not leave your helmet exposed to the sun. If the helmet is a model with a visor, change the visor if vision is unsatisfactory due to surface scratches. A helmet does not have a fixed lifespan. In the absence of any minor or major impacts, a helmet will continue to offer optimum protection for many years. However, it is a good rule to replace it after five years, so that you can benefit from the additional protection provided by the latest generation of helmets. As in all fields, performance of these products is increasing continuously as a result of ongoing research and development – such as that conducted by Icaro 2000. If the helmet undergoes an impact, whether minor or major, it must be replaced even if there is no visible damage. In fact the inner shell will have suffered a degree of permanent deformation, because it has absorbed the impact. Likewise, if the helmet suffers a sudden blow – such as falling from a table onto a hard floor – microscopic cracks may develop in the outer shell, reducing its capacity for absorbing a more serious impact at a later date.

In case of accident
If you witness an accident, keep calm. Report the accident immediately, if possible by phoning for an ambulance (dial 118 in Italy) or the appropriate mountain rescue team. Never move an injured person, unless this is absolutely essential because of a situation of greater danger. Only medically-qualified personnel know exactly how to deal with injuries. If the spinal column is damaged, moving the injured person could damage the spinal cord, causing permanent paralysis. If the victim is wearing a helmet, do not remove it, but just open the visor to facilitate respiration. Keep the victim calm, and, if possible, cover him/her. Shock provokes shivering and a sensation of cold. Do not give the victim alcoholic drinks. Stem the flow of blood from wounds, protecting your hands with gloves or similar, throwing them away later if they have been soiled with blood. Do not apply tourniquets: if you place a tourniquet in the wrong position, you could worsen the situation. Never put the victim into a private car. Wait for the ambulance.










Buy
           Icaro on line shop

Important informations about our shop
Helm
About ordering helmets online

The size of a helmet is always described by the inner circumference of the internal padding.
Nearly all our helmets have internal padding that can be replaced by different sizes of padding, to increase or decrease the overall helmet size.
Only the models Cut3, SkyRunner and Kusna have fixed padding sizes.

If the helmet that you buy has the interchangeable internal padding and is not a perfect fit, we will send new padding components free of charge, regardless of where you buy the helmet. Just send a mail to staff@icaro2000.com
Spec
Special information's for Paramotor & Microlight pilots helmets

We sell all helmets for paramotor & microlight pilots with ear cups Peltor OP II just to filter out engine noise.
The ear cups are included in the price of the helmet.

If you wish to buy an electronic headset at order time we will reduce the price of any electronic headsest by € 25.- that represents the value of the ear cups. We will assemble the electronic headset perfectly to the helmet.

We sell only headsets designed to be fixed to the shell of our helmets.
For safety reasons, we do not sell the helmet to pilots who wish to use a conventional arching headset worn under the helmet.
Your head would no longer be well protected! See our page about headsets.

Air band radios: due to the growing commercial airplane traffic, today in many countries the free airspace is shrinking and you need to communicate with the air controllers. For this reason we recommend to buy or to use radios with aviation air bands.

Radio Connectors: today there are so many types of radio equipment on the market that we are unable to continuously stock all headsets with the suitable radio connector.
For this reason, please allow us 2-3 weeks delivery time so that we can send you the headset with the right radio connector.
We will inform you by e-mail should there be any delay.

View the exact radio connectors suitable for nearly all radios. If you have any doubts about the exact connector or radio type, please write us a mail.

Imp
Important ordering & shipping information's

  • The prices quoted are applicable worldwide
  • Low handling & shipping charges:  € 10.- worldwide (applicable only to retail customers, not for dealers)
  • For EU customers, VAT is included
  • Local taxes that may be payable outside EU are excluded
    • Sorry, we don't know the local taxes of each country. Please ask a local transport company like Ups or a custom office.
  • We ship worldwide using a recorded delivery postal service.
    • If the ordered item is on stock, you will receive the pack within 1, max 2 weeks.
      As soon as we have sent you the parcel, we will let you know the delivery tracking number by e-mail.
      You will be able to follow the tracking on internet.
    • If the ordered item is not immediatly available, we will advise you by mail
  • Payment by all major Credit cards or PayPal
  • Secure SSL transaction with PayPal
  • 1 Icaro Cap for any purchase!

  • In some countries, import duty may be very high.
    For example Brazil applies a 100 % import duty
    Before ordering from these countries, we advise contacting us by e-mail at staff@icaro2000.com
  • If you are not entirely satisfied by the item you have received, we will replace it with another at no extra charge.
    You just have to send us back the original item at your own expense.

Faq
F.A.Q.   Frequently asked questions

  • Is there any chance for you to send me the ordered item as a gift ? I think this way I won´t pay the local taxes.
     
    • It is not so safe to send the goods as a gift.
      For example the brasilian customs is really very severe in this matter.
      Some years ago we sent a helmet to Brazil as gift. The customs opened the parcel, they visited our web site, they found the helmet name and they asked the customer to pay the local taxes referring to the price there was on our web site.

  • Can you send the ordered item with a lower invoice?
     
    • Sorry, no
      In Italy we are obliged to issue the invoice with the real value.
      In any case it would be dangerous also for you in your country.
      If the customs checks on our website the real price of the ordered item you could incur a heavy fine.
    •
The names and the logos Icaro, Icaro 2000 & 4fight are registrated trade marks
      For all of us at Icaro 2000, the name “4fight” has nothing to do with war.
In fact, we believe in peace and in man’s wellbeing. That is why we started manufacturing helmets for the protection of those who take part in extreme sports.
For us, “4fight” refers to the struggle with fear that we all go through at moments in which we accept a challenge.
An internal fight towards self-improvement and the attainment of seemingly impossible goals.
Our company is committed to continuously improving the safety, comfort and design of our products.
Therefore we reserve the right to modify the characteristics in any way, without any prior notice.

Nearly all photos on this website can be downloaded without any restrictions.
There is only a copyright if you read the name of the fotographer near the picture.

Icaro 2000 srl, Italy    vat nr. it 01265610129