first headset for pilot-in-training

[Plasmech]

I am looking to buy my first headset. The training center has "public" headsets however for sanitary reasons I would like my own....I am kinda weird that way I guess!

I see that there are two basic types of headsets...the older, LARGE, rather bulky full-muff headsets and a more modern looking, much smaller headset that mainly covers just the ear itself and not half the head. Cost ignored, which one is better? I definitely want one with noise cancellation for flying in old 'pistons (even new jets are rather loud with all the electronics running as well as wind noise).

Does anybody have a headset recommendation for a student pilot? I say student cautiously...I am not the type who likes to buy things twice, I'd rather get one that I can use and be happy with well into the future as opposed to an entry-level set that ends of sitting in my closet a year from now after I buy a better one.

I assume that the sets available in Europe are pretty much the same as what we have in the US (?)

[RTN11]

This has rather been done to death, perhaps try searching for old threads.

My opinion is that you can't go wrong with a david clarke, good value, robust, reasonable passive noise reduction.

I believe the plugs are the same for US/EU, two plugs - one fat one for the phones and a thinner one for the mic.

Having said that, there are the NATO plugs used by the military, and possibly another one for helicopters.

[taff_lightning]

Used to work in a large flight school and I'd say that 60% of the guys there used David Clarke's (Inc instructors), 35% avcom and 5% other. I have a set of DC's for light aircraft flying and I certainly have no plans to change them anytime soon.

[PlanetEarth]

My own personal preference is to go directly for a high end headset. You'll probably never exchange it, and I don't put a price tag on my hearing. Any damage to your ears, is irreparable.

For me: Either the Bose, or Lightseed zulu

[Plasmech]

David Clark..thanks for the advice. Yes, in the US, we have two plugs, one slightly larger in diameter than the other one. I assume one is for transmission and one is for reception.

[TR24]

I'd recommend Clarity Aloft, and as you're in the US i believe you can try them for 30 days and return them. They seem expensive for when they are buy i find them much more confortable that the DC's and Sennheisers my flying school has.

[Human Factor]

I would say your options are either to buy a cheap one and upgrade to a DC or whatever later on or spend the money now on a top-end set and stick it on eBay if it doesn't work out in the long run. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

[Plasmech]

What is the least expensive David Clark that has active noise cancellation? ENC I believe it's called.

[gileraguy]

you can get a kit to install noise reduction in any DC (i.e.13:10), I can't remember the name but it should be an easy search.

Get a set of phones on ebay if you want to save money, then fit the kit.