Headsets (TSO etc)
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: England
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Headsets (TSO etc)
Hi PPRuNe,
I am in the situation right now where I need a new headset. Currently flying pistons doing my IR but am wanting a replacement of my currently falling to bits DC's. I'm looking for something that will transition nicely into hopefully flying jets in the future, depending if this "shortage of pilots" ever arrives.
I'm somewhat confused about the rules and regulations which airlines and our dear friends at EASA impose upon us with regards to headset standards. Whilst I know some US carriers require a TSO standard headset, some do not and for the life of my I cannot find info on European carriers. I am in the UK if that makes a difference with the CAA.
I'm really interested in the Clarity Aloft headset (they do a TSO version for about £150 more), or possibly a Bose QC15 with Uflymike conversion, but would 1) this be against the rules of the major carriers (I'm talking RYR probably here) not to have TSO certification and 2) is it something that ever gets checked out?
Bose A20 and that are lovely, and I know many like the telex or senheiser headsets, but the in-ear ones are attractive to me right now due to their light weight and the fact my thicker-frame glasses cause issues with traditional headset designs.
Many thanks, hopefully someone can shed some light on this.
I am in the situation right now where I need a new headset. Currently flying pistons doing my IR but am wanting a replacement of my currently falling to bits DC's. I'm looking for something that will transition nicely into hopefully flying jets in the future, depending if this "shortage of pilots" ever arrives.
I'm somewhat confused about the rules and regulations which airlines and our dear friends at EASA impose upon us with regards to headset standards. Whilst I know some US carriers require a TSO standard headset, some do not and for the life of my I cannot find info on European carriers. I am in the UK if that makes a difference with the CAA.
I'm really interested in the Clarity Aloft headset (they do a TSO version for about £150 more), or possibly a Bose QC15 with Uflymike conversion, but would 1) this be against the rules of the major carriers (I'm talking RYR probably here) not to have TSO certification and 2) is it something that ever gets checked out?
Bose A20 and that are lovely, and I know many like the telex or senheiser headsets, but the in-ear ones are attractive to me right now due to their light weight and the fact my thicker-frame glasses cause issues with traditional headset designs.
Many thanks, hopefully someone can shed some light on this.
Join Date: Jan 2010
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What I think is that if the headset will be a part of the certified aircraft configuration (part of the Aircraft Illustrated Part Catalog) a TSO/ETSO is required.
Please note that if the carrier is EASA registered, an ETSO might be necessary.
Please note that if the carrier is EASA registered, an ETSO might be necessary.
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Well, I'm not an expert on what is regulatory in Europe but here is what I know about the FAA:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...rpretation.pdf
The way I read this FAA interpretation is that so long as there is uninterrupted audio when power is removed from the ANR, then no regulations are being violated even under part 121 (Gulfsteams do not operate under Part 121 as they are not certified to carry more than 19 passengers). Specifically:
"Aircraft equipped with ANR headsets which rely on batteries to provide flight crewmembers with the capability of communicating with air traffic control, crewmembers, or passengers must be capable of providing uninterrupted communications as required in § 121.318 and 121.319. Any failure of the headset to provide this communication capability due to loss of power would be contrary to the provisions of § 25. 1309(a)."
The Bose QC25s do not lose audio when the batteries die so even if I were Part 121, you would not be in violation of 25.1309(a).
As for the G550 and installed equipment. I do not think the aircraft was certified with headsets installed and therefore there is no regulatory requirement to even use headsets.
In the MMEL, 0 headphones are installed and 0 headphones are required so long as hand mic and speakers are operational.
Again, I'm not an expert on European requirements so perhaps a fellow PPrune member can add clarity pointing to specific European regulations requiring the use of TSO headsets.
Cheers!
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...rpretation.pdf
The way I read this FAA interpretation is that so long as there is uninterrupted audio when power is removed from the ANR, then no regulations are being violated even under part 121 (Gulfsteams do not operate under Part 121 as they are not certified to carry more than 19 passengers). Specifically:
"Aircraft equipped with ANR headsets which rely on batteries to provide flight crewmembers with the capability of communicating with air traffic control, crewmembers, or passengers must be capable of providing uninterrupted communications as required in § 121.318 and 121.319. Any failure of the headset to provide this communication capability due to loss of power would be contrary to the provisions of § 25. 1309(a)."
The Bose QC25s do not lose audio when the batteries die so even if I were Part 121, you would not be in violation of 25.1309(a).
As for the G550 and installed equipment. I do not think the aircraft was certified with headsets installed and therefore there is no regulatory requirement to even use headsets.
In the MMEL, 0 headphones are installed and 0 headphones are required so long as hand mic and speakers are operational.
Again, I'm not an expert on European requirements so perhaps a fellow PPrune member can add clarity pointing to specific European regulations requiring the use of TSO headsets.
Cheers!
