Headsets for open cockpits

[India Four Two]

km,

The 80 knot blast came straight into the cockpit and was amplified by my mouthpiece

This may not be the case for your flight, but I had a similar problem in a Stearman earlier this year, where the noise was coming from the instructor's mike. He had a "hot mike" but mine was a "push-to-talk intercom". Of course, when I pushed the button, the noise was even louder!

[18greens]

Kev, reading your post took me back 6 years to the 10 hours I spent in the tiger moth at the tiger club. I couldn't believe the ringing in my ears after 20 minutes.

I was advised to go to headset service and get an old fashioned leather flying hat. Properly fitting earcups solved the issue immediately - no more tinnitus. Cost was about 220gbp. Money well spent. (Still could not believe how much spit came out of the mouth piece after flying) .

In my day you had to get a dynamic microphone, but chuffer seems to be saying elecret is the thing now. Enjoy the mighty tiger.

Its interesting to reflect they used these headsets until the early meteor days.

[Mark1234]

kev, best thing is to just google the etymotics. They are simply 'ipod' type headphones of the flavour you stuff in your ear. What's 'special' is that they're designed to block out outside noise, and do so very well.

They would however be standalone - you'd put hour regular headset over the top, and plug the ipod headphones and the mic into the aeroplane, leaving the headset 'speaker' part unplugged. Not sure how I'd feel about the extra cabling etc. Of course this won't help at all if the mic is 'open' and the noise is coming through the mic!

I've not flown a tiger to judge, but I suspect the leather helmet or proper bone dome, coupled with decent headset/earcups (I use DC 10.14s), and the earplugs trick might be the most appropriate way forward.

[Human Factor]

I have a Gentex HGU-55 bonedome (for Yak flying) with a set of THESE soldered in parallel with the earpieces. You put the ear pieces in, the bonedome on, then plug the earpieces into the socket on the side of the helmet. The existing speakers still work if you don't want to use the earpieces (handy with a rear passenger if they don't have the same system and need the radio turned up). It allows me to fly with the radio volume turned down to minimum and makes a huge difference.

[bodypilot]

I deal with the one extra cable by.... ignoring it! The *massive* difference that the earbuds make is worth it.

I use some of the smaller buds so that I can wear the regular headset or helmet over the top. Makes for more passive attenuation and always comes with a mic!

This is also a cheap solution - although I am not 100% these are exactly the same they are close to what helps me in my open (and very loud) cockpit

Sony MDR EX35LP/VB - headphones - In-ear ear-bud, Binaural - Blue, violet

[Tmbstory]

Tiger Moth Flying

I just wonder how we managed to fly the Tiger Moths with only Gosport Tubes for communcation between the crew. A few hand signals as well.

A great Aeroplane and enjoyed my time in them.

Tmb

[kevmusic]

I just wonder how we managed to fly the Tiger Moths with only Gosport Tubes for communcation between the crew.

Yup. Mentioned that earlier. I wonder if some of the problem is that the crew now both have mics, amplifying everything that goes into them.

[kevmusic]

I have thought up a very low-tec solution. This was to use my foam drum teaching earplugs under my bog-standard spamcan Sennheisers, inserted into a new leather helmet from Pooleys. Cool 1930s aviator? No way! I look like an extra from Dr Who and the Cybermen.

The theory was that if I can teach, converse with and hear a student drummer battering away to backing tracks whilst wearing said earplugs, I should be able to hear the R/T and radio over the tight passive attenuation of plugs and headphones, if they were turned up high enough. The earplugs and protective seal should filter out the wind noise. The problem would be in the mic picking up and amplifying the ambient noise. It has a muffler, but that's only designed for breath-noise.

Did it work? Beautifully. Exactly as hoped! The R/T came through loud and clear (relatively) and I could hear the radio - though in the air the radio developed a fault, so I couldn't do a full test on my 'system'. And after we landed there was no extra tinnitus. The only problem was, as foreseen, the noise through the mic; but it only showed up when I turned my head and peered out into the slipstream. Not very good for lookout!

[Genghis the Engineer]

I'd recommend looking at either Lynx or Communica gear. Both are designed specifically for microlights: which are both open cockpit and hellishly noisy at times.

I've used both, and whilst I own Communica (having got a good second hand deal a few years back), would for preference go for Lynx which I think is a bit more robust. The headsets work well in an open cockpit, and both companies do helmets to go with their headsets.

Most GA equipment is designed for quieter, draft-free cockpits, and tends not to be as good for an open cockpit aeroplane as headsets and helmets designed specifically for microlights.

If buying a helmet, make sure you have a visor latch, otherwise in a lot of cockpits the visors can occasionally decide to ride up at irritating moments.

If you want to browse, then your best bet is to go to Popham on the May bank holiday weekend when the big microlight fly-in is on.

G

[HappyJack260]

Have a look at a Campbell Aero Classics helmet. Looks like the traditional leather helmet, except it has a kevlar/carbon fibre shell. Very good noise reduction, and you can get it with a leather face mask for open cockpits or the real warbird look. I wear mine in the Pitts with canopy and without, and have also used it in a Tiger Moth. Highly recommended.

[Subhuman]

I will also vouch for the self-powered Lynx Headsets. We use them in a fleet of Stampe's and they are fantastic. no real fatigue after 6 hours flying (over the course of the day). Only niggle is having to charge them up every night.

Lynx Avionics English Site

We have 6 pairs and haven't had a single problem with any of them. You will need a helmet mind, as the fit isn't solid enough to take a slow roll or any negative G.

[rusty sparrow]

using standard in ear anl audio buds with air radio

Any problems with the low impedence of standard audio headsets working with standard aircraft transceivers?

[volvodriver]

Hi

I'm currently flying in an open cockpit and sharing a sydicate lynx system with others - bit messy from time to time!

Can any of you tell me any downsides to connecting a standard NATO plug on a Mk10b helmet into this system through the Lynx marketed adaptor?

i.e. Will it work?

Cheers

VD

[angels one five]

Like HJ260 I have a Campbell Aero Classics helmet which I wear when I fly my Turbulent " topless ".
I find it is very good for reducing the engine noise and it is warm ( even in the NZ winter ) and comfortable too.
Here is a link :

Campbell Aero Classics NZ Ltd