Headsets
We use the ANR Bose Aviation X headset in both A109 and Gazelle. When compared to the passive David Clarks and Peltors (can't remember the model no.s) they replaced they are superb. Yes they are pricey, but you get what you pay for. The installed versions are less hassle because you don't have to replace any batteries (but this type probably won't suit you if you are aircraft-hopping). They are comfortable, rugged, the boom mic is easy to locate and overall, in my opinion, just about the best on the market.
God only gave you one set of ears - pay the extra and look after them.
We got ours from Alec at RGV Aviation at Gloucester; very freindly, helpful, reliable and reasonably well priced compared to the competition. We've had 7 sets from them now and have been using them for a couple of years without problem. J
God only gave you one set of ears - pay the extra and look after them.
We got ours from Alec at RGV Aviation at Gloucester; very freindly, helpful, reliable and reasonably well priced compared to the competition. We've had 7 sets from them now and have been using them for a couple of years without problem. J
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
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Cheers all
Thanks for the info will put it to good use. Just one more thing, i know that if you could you should probably buy two headsets for fixed and rotary but am not in a position to shell out loads of cash at the mo, so looking at what you lot have written would you say it would be better to buy a heli specific headset and convert it across for fixed wing ops. It seems the sensible thing to do at this point in time.
Quite interested in the Bose headset as i've got a lot of their kit already and have always been very impressed, bloody expensive though
Thanks for the info will put it to good use. Just one more thing, i know that if you could you should probably buy two headsets for fixed and rotary but am not in a position to shell out loads of cash at the mo, so looking at what you lot have written would you say it would be better to buy a heli specific headset and convert it across for fixed wing ops. It seems the sensible thing to do at this point in time.
Quite interested in the Bose headset as i've got a lot of their kit already and have always been very impressed, bloody expensive though
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Above and Below Zero Lat. [Presently at least]
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Bose...........
I'm still saving to replace my last one......but may stay with the Peltor ....until someone likes that one more than I do...[Don't leave them hanging on hooks]
To answer your query, I guess if your heading down the helicopter path, then gear yourself up for the higher noise levels of the helicopter, and use a Splitter Lead for your aeroplance.....
As I said before....personal choice.
Look at the potential conflict with different impedence mics between the two aircraft types as well.
To answer your query, I guess if your heading down the helicopter path, then gear yourself up for the higher noise levels of the helicopter, and use a Splitter Lead for your aeroplance.....
As I said before....personal choice.
Look at the potential conflict with different impedence mics between the two aircraft types as well.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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It may well be worthwhile, whatever you have now or intend to get, having a word with Headset Services on Shoreham Airfield. Apart from being stockists for all things headset, they do a very nice line in custom made adaptors and convertors and at a decent price.
Their site also gives a basic rundown on connector types, differences, etc.
And Whirly should you want an adaptor to use a UK Nato (brass) plug with a US Nato (nickel) socket, mine cost about £40 all inc from them.
Their site also gives a basic rundown on connector types, differences, etc.
And Whirly should you want an adaptor to use a UK Nato (brass) plug with a US Nato (nickel) socket, mine cost about £40 all inc from them.
HeliFirst
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Before Sep 11 I flew both Airline and Rotary.
You must think eardefender first when it comes to Helicopters.
I once used my Helicopter Peltor in the Avto RJ with adaptor and found I could hardly hear the engines!! Quite alarming!!
I usually used a light weight Headset in the fixed wing and Peltor in Helicopters.
Always use your 'own' Headset
I do not recommend Clarke
You must think eardefender first when it comes to Helicopters.
I once used my Helicopter Peltor in the Avto RJ with adaptor and found I could hardly hear the engines!! Quite alarming!!
I usually used a light weight Headset in the fixed wing and Peltor in Helicopters.
Always use your 'own' Headset
I do not recommend Clarke
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Thanks all for the added info, will contact both Headset Services and RGV
Think i will go for the Heli option and buy seperate one for fixed wing when i can afford it.
Cheers
Up & Away
Ahh right, just read yours....i have got a cheap headset that i use for fixed wing, i guess i'll just have to keep using them and buy a decent headset for Heli.
Think i will go for the Heli option and buy seperate one for fixed wing when i can afford it.
Cheers
Up & Away
Ahh right, just read yours....i have got a cheap headset that i use for fixed wing, i guess i'll just have to keep using them and buy a decent headset for Heli.
ANR Headsets
I'm sure the topic must have been covered before, but I guess like many I considered myself too old to benefit and thought the company might just issue me with one when safety rules caught up with reality - What was I thinking ??
Anyway, If I'm going to fork out myself for one, are they worth it, which is the best and and pro's / cons ?
Thanks
Anyway, If I'm going to fork out myself for one, are they worth it, which is the best and and pro's / cons ?
Thanks
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
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I don't think they're worth it, but many will disagree with me. My chief complaint is that they can't deal with high-frequency noise effectively, & often have a lower NRR than passive headsets when the ENC is turned off, thus the high-frequency noise is worse with them than with a passive headset. Perhaps not true for all models, but in any case make very sure the passive NRR is at least in the 20+ dB range. I've tried ENC, and they work really great without the engine running, and to filter out the main rotor noise, but that isn't the noise that will hurt your hearing. Stand outside the helicopter, unloading passengers with the engines running, & see what I mean. The ENC will be much louder than a good, well-fitted passive headset. You could wear earplugs with it, but then what's the point of the ENC?
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Your best bet would be to buy a David Clarke headset with the helicopter lead and then buying a GA splitter lead. Why? because the only difference is that the helicopter one has the curly lead reducing the chances of it getting caught up in the cockpit, it also has the nato single plug on the end of it so you just plug the splitter on the end and it then has the two GA leads coming off it. The other way around you will get a loop that will catch. Helo lead option is always a bit more money but worth it. David Clarke is a well known brand with easy access to spares and over the years I have seen SLC come up with all sorts of interesting ways to try to destroy them. Again as others have said don't buy cheap.. Look out for a second hand one in 'new condition' around flying schools or ebaymotors.com in the aviation accessories section.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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How about the David Clark H10-60 one headset with an interchangeable lead!!!
1. The price DC wants for the extra cord.
2. If you wear a survival vest or anything like that, the long plug catches on it & suddenly you can't turn your head. I have one of these, but it stays in the box for this reason.
Join Date: Dec 2002
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ANR Conversion
I've just converted my pair of David Clark H10-13H headsets to ANR. Superb.
The conversion kit is approx £100 per headset from Adams Aviation (manufactured by Headsets Inc, USA) for the DIY package. Adams will do the work for you for £30 per set - well worth it.
So for a £300 headset plus £130 you can have an excellent ANR headset. So, if you have a pair of David Clarks, don't start buy another set. The figures for performance reckon about 85% of the performance of a Bose set. Passive is not noticeably different either.
I take the point about high frequencies, but in my noisy B47, the increase in comfort is dramatic and well worth it. I've heard many warnings about 'don't use ANR or you won't hear the noises you need alerting to' but in my view the discomfort comes from the low frequency rumble whioch ANR removes brilliantly. The higher frequencies still get through and can be heard more cleanly.
As someone who flies an old girl without a governor and needs the noise 'clues' more than most, I think ANR is brilliant.
Also, if you get the chance and it's your aircraft, fit the panel mount power to save on batteries.
The conversion kit is approx £100 per headset from Adams Aviation (manufactured by Headsets Inc, USA) for the DIY package. Adams will do the work for you for £30 per set - well worth it.
So for a £300 headset plus £130 you can have an excellent ANR headset. So, if you have a pair of David Clarks, don't start buy another set. The figures for performance reckon about 85% of the performance of a Bose set. Passive is not noticeably different either.
I take the point about high frequencies, but in my noisy B47, the increase in comfort is dramatic and well worth it. I've heard many warnings about 'don't use ANR or you won't hear the noises you need alerting to' but in my view the discomfort comes from the low frequency rumble whioch ANR removes brilliantly. The higher frequencies still get through and can be heard more cleanly.
As someone who flies an old girl without a governor and needs the noise 'clues' more than most, I think ANR is brilliant.
Also, if you get the chance and it's your aircraft, fit the panel mount power to save on batteries.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Alderney or Lancashire UK
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If you leave Peltors in a hot cockpit, in the sun the ear cushions shrink permanently and fall out. I have three pairs that have done this. (various ages and models).
My Pilot DNC ANRs work very well, have 2 plugs and with UK and US Nato adaptors will fit all variants. I have come across R22s and Enstroms with both types so if you are going to rent aircraft it is as well to have both adaptors so it makes sense to buy a headset with 2 FW type jacks and 2 adaptors.
My Pilot DNC ANRs work very well, have 2 plugs and with UK and US Nato adaptors will fit all variants. I have come across R22s and Enstroms with both types so if you are going to rent aircraft it is as well to have both adaptors so it makes sense to buy a headset with 2 FW type jacks and 2 adaptors.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Why are Heli headsets different from FW headsets?
I'm just curious.
Why can't you use one set in both?
Is it just the plugs are different? Do helis use only NATO plugs. Is it a cruel scam to get you to buy another headset when you move from fix to fling?
I would have thought, given the low number of radios/intercoms sold that there would not be room in the market for helicopter radios and FW radios.
Someone tell me why???
Why can't you use one set in both?
Is it just the plugs are different? Do helis use only NATO plugs. Is it a cruel scam to get you to buy another headset when you move from fix to fling?
I would have thought, given the low number of radios/intercoms sold that there would not be room in the market for helicopter radios and FW radios.
Someone tell me why???
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Great White North eh!
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Question answered.
You have actually answered your own question.
There is no difference in the radios between RW and FW.
The plug on the end of the headse cord is different. I fly RW and FW. The cord that drapes across my left knee in the C172 I don't want draped across my left knee in a Bell 206 - something to do with using the collective.rolleyes: Most helicopters have the radio jack in the overhead panel or rear bulkhead for that reason.
I have a DC headset and HU5 helmet, both with curly tails, with different mics. I sometimes have to swap the mics because of the radio setup but not because it is FW or RW. For FW I have a 3' extender and adaptor with the dual FW plugs. Works a treat.
:
There is no difference in the radios between RW and FW.
The plug on the end of the headse cord is different. I fly RW and FW. The cord that drapes across my left knee in the C172 I don't want draped across my left knee in a Bell 206 - something to do with using the collective.rolleyes: Most helicopters have the radio jack in the overhead panel or rear bulkhead for that reason.
I have a DC headset and HU5 helmet, both with curly tails, with different mics. I sometimes have to swap the mics because of the radio setup but not because it is FW or RW. For FW I have a 3' extender and adaptor with the dual FW plugs. Works a treat.
:
aspinwing,
I've got a DC headset for helos but also do a bit of fixed wing flying.
I priced a commercially available adaptor lead only to find it was going to cost about $180 Aust to go from the NATO helo plug to the 2-pronged FW thing. Seems a ridiculous price for a couple of bits of wire and 3 plugs, but I guess aviation components are always costly.
Was your adaptor plug much cheaper than that?
I can use a soldering iron after a fashion, so if I could get hold of the bits I'd be happy to make one up.
Where did you get yours, if I may ask?
I've got a DC headset for helos but also do a bit of fixed wing flying.
I priced a commercially available adaptor lead only to find it was going to cost about $180 Aust to go from the NATO helo plug to the 2-pronged FW thing. Seems a ridiculous price for a couple of bits of wire and 3 plugs, but I guess aviation components are always costly.
Was your adaptor plug much cheaper than that?
I can use a soldering iron after a fashion, so if I could get hold of the bits I'd be happy to make one up.
Where did you get yours, if I may ask?
Join Date: Jul 2002
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The reason for the difference is the same as most things in aviation - tradition. Fixed-wing started out using (and many still have this) a speaker in the ceiling or somewhere, and a hand-held mike. You can plug headphones in & listen, while still using the handheld mike. Helicopters don't really permit that - you need both hands free, thus the integrated helmet or headset. The U174 plug originated in the military, the primary users of helicopters. When fixed-wing pilots started using headsets, they needed something that would fit what was already installed, thus the separate plugs for mike & speakers. Too much installed base for both to change either.
I've built my own adapter, & it's pretty simple. I had a jack from somewhere in the military, long ago, & bought the fixed-wing plugs. The speaker plug is a standard 1/4" plug, used for guitar cords, etc, available at any electronics place like Radio Shack in the US. The mike plug is smaller, & I broke down & bought a plug from an avionics place for a few dollars. The cable came from Radio Shack, IIRC. It's 2-pair, or 4 conductors. Any cable with 4 or more wires in it will work. You just have to deal with the split/splices, but rubber tape works very will with this. Mine isn't elegant, but it works, or did the last time I used it, several years ago. Being a humble helicopter pilot, I can't afford to pay to fly airplanes very often.
I've built my own adapter, & it's pretty simple. I had a jack from somewhere in the military, long ago, & bought the fixed-wing plugs. The speaker plug is a standard 1/4" plug, used for guitar cords, etc, available at any electronics place like Radio Shack in the US. The mike plug is smaller, & I broke down & bought a plug from an avionics place for a few dollars. The cable came from Radio Shack, IIRC. It's 2-pair, or 4 conductors. Any cable with 4 or more wires in it will work. You just have to deal with the split/splices, but rubber tape works very will with this. Mine isn't elegant, but it works, or did the last time I used it, several years ago. Being a humble helicopter pilot, I can't afford to pay to fly airplanes very often.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Headsets, Inc. of Amarillo, TX makes an ANR kit that drops right into a David Clark headset or most any helmet. If you can use a soldering iron just a little, you can do it yourself. You do have to drill one hole in the dome, to allow the power cord to come out, but that's the only mod you have to do. Remove the existing speakers, & the kit drops right into the dome, and the earseals hold it in place. The existing wiring is soldered to the kit parts.