Student Headsets

[benjaiiimin]

Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone had recommendations on good headsets for someone flying at a student level.
Any advice is much appreciated.
Cheers
Ben

[iFabio2]

I bought the flightcom 4dlx. Cheap and worth every euro! (and so much better of some pricey and well known brands)

fabio

[wheelbrace]

iFabio2 has a point - but if you intend to go down the IR route I would suggest from the outset that you get as good a quality ANR headset as possible.

I went down the cheap route and discovered that minimal distraction is the name of the game - you have enough against you without dropping all else to try to decypher the garble coming from the controller.

Then again, sometimes it is the controller...:bored:

[iFabio2]

Then again, sometimes it is the controller...:bored:

and/or the radio equipment of the aircraft :ok:

fabio

[benjaiiimin]

Cool. Thanks for the advice guys. I am not worried about spending a bit more upfront if it stops me from having to purchase a new pair in 2 years time. :ok:

[flyhelico]

get a d. clark...mine is 20y old, and i still use it!

[wheelbrace]

...but we have come on a good few years since Vietnam.

Despite their long track record, I do not subscribe to the 'DC is best' mindset; they are great for passive noise reduction but I believe there are lighter and more comfortable sets with ANR on the market.

I would urge you to look at this in depth - there are new models out there that will blow your previous conceptions away.

If I was to go from the start, I would be checking out the new generation of 'in ear' buds; no battery packs and moulded to you personally. Give the cans to your passengers!

If you can, try to speak with someone who works in a heavy machinery plant - they have a strict statutory requirement to prevent hearing loss which doesn't exist in aviation.

If you try to save now, you will pay later when you realise the difference. Ask your instructor if you can try his/hers. They will probably say 'no', but nothing ventured etc.

[IrishJetdriver]

Flew with a guy who had "ear bud" type headphones. Every time he swallowed you could hear him over the intercom and it sounded like you were inside his head. Really really irritating on a long day. I believe he gave them up after suffering ear infections. I use DC ANR headset in a 737 and generally don't even turn on the ANR now they're so good. Bulky, yes, dead comfortable with glasses, yes. I always preferred a headset where the ear cup went around the ear (DC) as when wearing glasses or sunnies headsets that sit on the ear tend to press the bar of the glasses between the headset and your head. Maybe I've got an odd shaped head though!

[UncleNobby]

David Clark H10 13.4 - well built and a good price.

[redsnail]

Ben,

You're probably going to be using these headsets for a while so go for the best you can afford. As it's quite likely you'll be operating in remote areas for a couple of years you'll need something robust.

I used DC 10-30's for years. ANR was a pipe dream when I started. Ended up using ear plugs + the DCs when I was operating an Islander. They worked.

The DCs never let me down even after years of working in the Kimberley region in Australia. Heat, humidity, dust and salt didn't affect them.
They handled the abuse just fine.

Bottom line, protect your hearing at all times.

[adverse-bump]

David Clark H10 13.4 - well built and a good price.

seconded, no question about it. go for the DCs

I had mine for 6 years, got over 2000 hours on a tp out of them when I broke them (my fault, no the head sets!)

decided to go for the bose x as a replacement, but im using them everyday, no need to spend 800 quid if your just flying cessnas

[gkh72]

Hi Ben, Im just starting out too on my CPL journey and have gone for the Bose X. The weight saving as well as radio clarity are amazing with ANR and would never go back to the flight school DC jobs. Spend the money on a good pair now and you won't regret it!:ok: