Blender

Just installed it a couple of days ago, so only used it in the R44 so far. Based on current experience I expect good performance in other ships. Don't know (yet) firsthand how long the battery will last. Material from Headsets Inc. suggests about 20hrs. They also recommend better name batteries i.e. Duracell etc. and to avoid nicads for reasons already mentioned. I also carry a spare in my pocket. The racket inside my lid with the ANR off is now rather unpleasant!

Cheers,

Bought ANR upgrade for my helmet two years ago. Can't believe I flew all those years without. Mine is hard wired in my crop duster but when I spray in the Bell 47 I have a pocket battery pack. It will last a little over a day if I fly all day. Well worth the money.

best earseals
 

ok, it sounds like earplugs are a good idea but what about the earseals. ive got the gel ones but they dont seem to be that great. are foam or air ones better?

Best earseals I've used were Gel Filled, I think most manufacturers make them.
They conform to the contours of the head very well, and are comfortable over glasses or shades.

Our old DC headsets have gel seals, but the gel flows to the bottom of the seal. What's with that? Kinda like my saggy, middle aged gut!

The earseals I got with the ANR kit are gel also, but much stiffer. No flow with gravity. Kinda like... Oh, ferget that!

Active noise reduction Question
 

Hi everyone,

This is my first post... I have a quick question regarding ANR. I am considering installing ANR in my helmet. After a little research I found something a bit strange. The ANR system I am looking to buy is effective from 20 HZ to 800 HZ. However, I have read that most hearing damage occurs in that 700 HZ to 7000HZ range. Does that mean that.... Aside from a little more comfort, ANR does not actually help save your hearing. Certainly I am missing something.

Thanks

I think you've got it right; ANR protects in the low range, not the high end.

I bought the kit from Headsets Inc this summer and installed it in my Gentex helmet. There is a noticable reduction of noise with the unit turned on, but the biggest advantage is getting to turn down the comm and intercom volumes 25 - 50%. The comm is also *much* clearer.

The kit was missing a couple of minor parts, but I was able to cobble it together.

Correct, low frequency range only. MGB, certain engine noise ancilliaries are reduced thus making for a quieter working environment and a little way to supporting duty of care in the work place. However the baddy frequencies -engine whine, certain harmonics -these are what cause actual damage to the pilots hearing range (mid range I believe) and one can do very little about it at the mo'. I am told by the manufacturers that it is quite a technical feat trying to conquer the high freq problems

Super,

Here are a couple of past ANR threads:

ANR Redux

ANR Anyone

Cheers,

super72bb,

The reason why the ANR systems are only effective at the lower frequencies is locked in the principle that they employ. They sense the ambient noise, and its phase, and apply an exact inverse of that noise, the exact frequency and the opposite phase, to absorb the noise. Note with an ANR headset on, if you clap your hands, there is a distinct ringing for several seconds. That is the counter noise dying out as it fails to be reinforced.

As the frequency of the noise rises, the wave shape gets much more complex, and the calculations for the counter noise get nearly impossible (for today's computers).

None of the ANR's claim credit for helping reduce hearing loss, nor should they.

visit www.verticalflight.fsnet.co.uk

Consider the 'noise signature' of the aircraft you're flying when you make your decision.

What is the best ANR headset?
 

What is the difference between the DC 10-13XL and the Bose X?

I find both headsets very comfortable and don't know which one to go for.

Is there a difference in clearness of rt, longetivity, hard-wearness etc.

I would appreciate any information from people have experienced wearing these headsets.

J@mie :-)

I have used the Bose X for 3 years and while I have not flown with the D-C I did test this during a fairly careful comparison of various headsets I did in both a headset shop equipped with an aircraft noise source and in an actual plane on the ground.

My view is that the Bose is better overall. The total attenuation of both is the same. The D-C has more passive attenuation but a lot higher earcup pressure. The Bose appeared to reproduce speech more clearly.

While this applies to all headsets, with the Bose you especially need to avoid using glasses which are too thick at the point where they pass under the earcup.

I think the Bose is less sturdy than the D-C so it's OK if you use it yourself only and look after it. In particular, if you get the aircraft-powered version, the connectors are flimsy and break easily.

I think the Bose is far more comfortable although this may not be apparent on short trips.

haedsets
 

Don't know about ANRs but I'm a David Clark fan. One thing I learned the hard way...get the best hearing protection you can buy. It's tempting to think that there's no appreciable difference between a bunch of headsets all rated at 22, 23, or 24 decibels, but that one extra db protection makes a difference after a long day, or after a few hundred hours.
Also, I find David Clarks compatible with every aircraft type I've flown, and every other colleague pilot's (other type) headset.
However, like I said, never tried ANRs.

Thank U
 

thanks for that very useful advise!

Recommendations for a head-set
 

To all

Doing my ATPL (H) and (A) and need to buy a head-set for heli's, could anyone recommend a make, model and where the best place (cheapest;) ) is to get it from. Just one more thing, probably being a complete idiot, can you use a heli headset in fixed wing. I could do without having to buy two different and very expensive headsets.

Cheers All

Rotormad:}

rotormad,

You can use a f/w headset in helis if you get a converter bit to stick on the end of it. The only problem is there are two different types. I got one off ebay for about £12, only it turned out to be the wrong one; works for a few R22s in this country, but not most of them. I can't remember any details, except you want to get one with a silver coloured bit on the end, not the gold coloured bit, which is what I got.

I don't know if this makes much sense, but I'm sure someone who knows more about it than I do will post something which does.

not that i am an expert as i have only been flying for a year and a half. i use a david clark h10-13h with the gel seals and find really comfortable although not cheap. i have an adapter p/n 18253g-05 which splits into the two plugs for the flaps stuff and had no problems. www.davidclark.com will have a list of approved suppliers. they do have the adapters that go the other way but i dont know the part number. ( i am only flying fixed wing to get a cheaper instrument rating and not jumping the fence)
hope this helps.
helipilotnz

I normally use a headset I built myself, but David Clark makes excellent headsets, & has a great warranty & customer service. The H10-56 makes a good helicopter headset. I don't like the ENC headsets, because most of the noise from a helicopter is high-frequency, from the engine & transmission, & ENC headsets can't deal with this. They work fine for lower-frequency noise, but I don't think they're worth the extra money you'll pay. As others have noted, all you need is an adapter to convert the helicopter plug to a 2-plug configuration for fixed-wing, or vice-versa.

Tools of the Trade.....
 

If your going to be a constant user of the Head Set.....my only solid advice......don't buy cheap.

The rest is personal choice.

My experience has only been with the Alpha and Gentex helmet, David Clark, Bose, Peltor and Telex headsets.

The Peltor in my view for Helicopter folk stands out head and shoulders above the rest.....
But beware if wish to use the Peltor ANR and you are wearing a Mark 28, 50 or Switlik Jacket, as this Peltor has a solid long plug that protrudes vertically from the bottom of the earcup, and every time you turn your head the plug snags on the top of your jacket [perhaps my neck needs to grow longer!!]......Non ANR Peltors have the cable protruding from the side of the ear cup, which are fine with your jacket.

David Clarke has been around for years, and generally have a good reputation, their units are a little heavier but solid and robust.

If your rich.....go and try a Bose....US$1000 if you shop around.....but excellent performer, and fully expect to have it stolen???....the ANR is excellent.

There is a difference between ANR and ordinary headsets.......it is noticable when you turn the ANR system off.........a set of ear plugs under a good headset is also good....so ANR or not is personal choice.

If your swapping between High and Low impedence radio systems, [eg B412 - B206] either have two mics or a dual impedence system in your headset or helmet....there are kits that are commercially available as a retro fit....if you drop a case of beer on your Techs bench, he should be able to install it for you.

Using a non helicopter headset in a helicopter is another compromise best avoided.....non standard plugs and non coil leads are a hassle.....also different NRR.

Yes there are "Splitter Cables" available that will take a Helicoptor U174/U plug to match the dual plug aeroplane system, and a different "Splitter Cable" to take the Aeroplane dual sytem back to the Helicopter U174/U [go to the accessories page of the David Clarke web page for more info]

Buy a High Quality Headset as you start your first job, and it will serve you faithfully for years and tears.