NATO headset plug p/n AM671

[Mooncrest]

I have picked up a number of used pilot headsets and most of them have been fitted with this brass plug. Assuming the headsets had been used in civil aircraft, does anyone know what aircraft types these are likely to have been ? The only aircraft I know for certain that was fitted with the appropriate socket - p/n AM626 - is the BAe ATP. Everything else, apart from the latest Airbuses and Boeings, is twin plug configuration.

Thankyou.

[wrench1]

Originally Posted by Mooncrest

I have picked up a number of used pilot headsets and most of them have been fitted with this brass plug. Assuming the headsets had been used in civil aircraft, does anyone know what aircraft types these are likely to have been ? The only aircraft I know for certain that was fitted with the appropriate socket - p/n AM626 - is the BAe ATP. Everything else, apart from the latest Airbuses and Boeings, is twin plug configuration. Thankyou.

Provided your headsets have mics and have a single plug for both connections look to helicopters for their use as most helicopters use a single connector. Not familiar with the AM671 spec but for comparison with single plugs here look at the U-93A or U-174 connector/plug used in military/civilian helicopters. Regardless of the connector, be sure to check the headset impedance, mic type, etc before plugging them into a live system.

[Mooncrest]

Thankyou wrench1. The most recent I've bought is a British classic, the Astrolite. It has 2 x 300 ohm earphones series wired and an amplified (to carbon level) 300 ohm electromagnetic microphone. It has an approval number label WR721. I've had at least one like this before except that there was no microphone amplifier and there were a couple of resistors wired into the earphone circuit.

[wrench1]

At 600/300 ohms definitely set up for civilian use. Here's link I just ran across on your side the pond when looking for more info on the AM671. Perhaps drop them a line for some answers?
Headset Services Limited - Headsets, Helmets and Handsets

[Mooncrest]

Thankyou again wrench. I think it's likely this particular plug and socket arrangement would have been fitted to early British airliners such as the Viscount and Britannia. Ideally I would need to hear from an engineer or pilot familiar with some of our old and older airliners.

[dixi188]

Scratching the memory banks here, but I seem to remember Viscounts with NATO sockets and BAC1-11s with NATO and RJ55/68 twin sockets. I assembled some of the audio panels as an apprentice.
I made up a lot of splitter cables for private pilots in the mid 1970s as there was a mix of sockets on light a/c. Also modded some aircraft to one or the other, or both.
I think the BN Islander had NATO.
Airlite 62 was the common headset at the time.

[Mooncrest]

Thankyou dixi. It's as I expected - older British-built airliners and the Islander too. I expect many of these aircraft had Airlite 62 headsets or perhaps the old Amplivox Jetlite. There was very little choice in the UK at one time. Shame the Astrolite is discontinued but the 62 goes on.

[dixi188]

I may be wrong about the Islander as all the cockpit photos seem to show two sockets.
I still have the hand mic from G-AVCN. I forgot to put it on board when it went back to Britten Norman about 1975.

[Mooncrest]

No problem dixi. I don't have access to any of these aircraft anyway, Islanders or whatever, so your word is good.

[ivor toolbox]

I seem to recall the ' shed' ( shorts 360) was also single plug headset

Ttfn

[NutLoose]

Moon Adams do a range of adaptors, see

https://www.flightstore.co.uk/pilot-...t-adapters-c95

Also Mendelssohn’s

https://www.gps.co.uk/accessories/he...-1-71-118-485/

[Mooncrest]

Thankyou ivor and nut. IIRC, the groundcrew headset socket on the 360 and ATP was also a NATO. They're very robust units - both plug and socket- but expensive. The price of the adaptors is astounding.

[dixi188]

Used to have problems with push-back crew tugging the plug out by pulling the cable. Even with a cord to take the strain, headsets were often in for repair.

[Mooncrest]

Originally Posted by dixi188

Used to have problems with push-back crew tugging the plug out by pulling the cable. Even with a cord to take the strain, headsets were often in for repair.

An age-old problem.