Didn't the SHAR guys used to have little ANR boxes issued to them?

As did the Tucanos, using a system mounted in the helmet with a seperate battery box in a pocket somewhere (and no modification to the aircraft).

As the launch customer for the Grob 115 series in Canada {My wife and I owned a few flight schools, since sold to staff and customers, old age the only reason} I just cant belive that the RAF finds them to be too loud in the cockpit, we regulary flew eight hour aerobatic days, all are still passing our six monthly hearing tests, in fact the quack tells me Im in the top 5% of tested pilots, however if one looks at the hearing results for kids trying to join the CAF the results are bloody scary, the end result of boom boxes, loud rock and spending most of the day with plugs blasting into their ears,It all sounds a bit contrived, just like the "no pax flying" in DC3s!

When did the Tucano have ANR?

5/6, that's a good question. I don't remember that...

Clunckdriver: What model of Grob was it? I think the issue relates specifically to the 115E, which has different engine and prop to the other models.

At a guess, some time in late 08 or early last year.

It's the frequency ...
 

Clunck, I was equally sceptical as my hearing has not changed in 9 years of flying the machines. But it's the frequency (80-100Hz) that's important as most hearing tests don't go that low: the RAF tests from 8kHz to 500Hz.

McD

ANR
 

Is it the case that certain marks of RN Seakings have ANR, but others (such as RAF SAR cabs) do not. If so, where's the duty of care? If not, I'll get my coat.

It's a sign of the times. Years back when people were flying Shacks/Nimrods/SHARs or any number of other noisy beasts, society was not a litigious one. Now, sadly, it is. An expert somewhere has decreed that the Tutor is too noisy for prolonged exposure (it's the same for the Hawk T1 rear cockpit), so to prevent the litigation when someone blames their hearing loss on flying said aircraft, they are changing the way it is operated to mitigate the risk.

Whether we agree or not, it's not the same world as it was even 10 years ago - we have to live with that and work around the problems. IMO, life would be simpler (and cheaper) if people accepted that things they choose to do are not risk free - but that's never going to happen these days... :ugh:

Sorry to take so long to reply, hard drive melted! We operated the 115C and the E model, one with two blade fixed pitch, the other with three blade C/S prop, back pack chutes, no hard hats.I did my time in the back seat of Harvards and both seats on the B25 instructing, now they were noisy! I always used ear plugs in these aircraft, also plugs, hard hat and ANR when spraying in the Ag Cat, my wife says my only hearing loss is "selective", such phrases as "take out the garbage" "plow the snow" seem to get lost between ear hole and brain!