Sport Pilot Talk

N918KT

I don't know if I want to buy a new headset yet, but after taking another lesson in the 162, the static on the radio frequency occured again as soon as we took off and climbed out. I even turned off the air vents in the 162 before taking off and the problem still occured.

I don't know if I want to buy a new headset now, but if I did, I would definitely buy the exact same make and model that I used as a rental from the school. Problem is, I don't know what model exactly or if I remembered that the rental headsets I used for the first 2 lessons are the same model. But judgeing from the light green color, I can tell that it's definitely a David Clark headset, just got to remember which model I used.

I don't know if my flight school has headsets in the pilot shop physically but I know that they do have it in their online pilot shop.

But if they do have it in their pilot shop, can I try on their headsets before I can buy them? If possible, can the headset itself simulate what it would sound like like when in the air, like if it has realistic static simulation or something like that? That way, I can know whether that particular headset would cause problems or not when flying.

theskunk · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:51 pm Post subject:

Kevin,

I'll pitch it to you this way -- If you have a headset that you like for comfort and noise cancelling prior to take-off in the c162, but causes issues once you're in the air, I'd actually send a note to the manufacturer of that headset.

In regards to your specific question about trying them on - I'm sure nobody would mind, but unfortunately you're not likely to get a 'good feel' for how they are going to feel after 2-3 hours of continued flight. Keep in mind, also, that pretty much all of the headsets out there are going to cancel a bit of noise on the ground, and it won't be until you're in the air or on take-off that you really see 'how they do'. The one upside is that if you purchase a new set of lightspeeds or bose or even the new ones that were launched at kosh this week to compete with the two, you now have a companies reputation on the line to help you make them work.

I just ordered a set of bose a20's - if i get their top of the line headset and they aren't 100% perfect, or don't function in my specific application, bose will likely bust their butt to help me out before i bad mouth them at my school and have everybody running over to lightspeed. Within the aviation industry, especially on pilot gear, word of mouth and experiences of others really seems to be king. I'm not suggesting that everybody NEEDS a 1100.00 set of headphones, but when you work out an agreement with your instructor to let him use them on his long haul for-hire flights and they just live in the airplane, for free flight time, you really don't argue ;)

I'd say call the pilot store, maybe they'll even let you take up 2-3 sets and try them one after the other during flight.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

Kevin, although I'm not a pilot shop or associated with one, I try to keep one or two each of various headsets around my school for the students to try out in flight. I presently have David Clark, Sigtronics, and ASA in my office. Can't afford to have Lightspeed or Bose in stock, but that's irrelevant, since most of my students can't afford those anyway. :wink:

There are some very good, large pilot shops that have racks of headsets plugged into intercoms for you to try. One that comes to mind is in Lancaster PA. Tell your CFI you want to take a trip there when XC time comes around, and you can check them all out. (There's also a really fine iIalian restaurant on the field, so be sure to go at lunchtime!)

designrs · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 144

Bose is offering a 0% financing plan with payments of $91 per month.
You don't even need to "apply" for credit, just have a valid credit card,
and they will bill you every month for a year.
A great way to get into a high-end headset if you want it.
I believe they offer a 30-day money back guarantee for "trial".

Also, one of the biggest catalog pilot shops has a wonderful return policy on all of their products.
Just return the product and packaging in perfect resalable condition for a prompt refund.

gmohr · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 63 Location: Augusta, GA

We just purchased Bose A20's at AirVenture 2011. After testing Zulu's and
Sennheiser' and David Clark's the Bose won hands down. My wife and I
made decision based on wanting to protect our hearing. At 56 and after
21yrs in the Army I know my hearing has suffered some loss. I want to
protect what I have left. The tests in the airplane have proven to me that
this purchase was very worth the cost.