Headsets have a wide range of cost, quality, and features. When it comes to doing your PPL flight training, you’ll want to make sure that your headset is suitable for you. Read on for our top tips when choosing and our breakdown of the most common headsets available today.
Quality
Good quality headsets perform noticably better than poor quality ones. They also tend to last longer, with fewer performance issues. When you try out a headset (which you should aim to do before buying one), you should take note of the microphone performance, the sound quality, and the comfort off the headset on your head. Your instructor will be able to help you do this. Once you’ve tried a couple you’ll get a feel for what’s right for you. You should also assess the strength and “feel” of the unit in your hands – if you drop it do you think it will survive or will you be buying a new one?
Many well-established brands such as David Clark (There are other good brands too!) provide a wide range of headsets at different price points that are all of good standard. The features are less important than the overall quality
Sound Reduction
Linked with quality, the sound reduction of the headset must reach a certain standard to be safe to use. Some headsets, typically the more expensive ones, provide even more noise reduction to better protect your hearing and improve your comfort in flight. AOPA have produced an interesting article on the effect of Active Noise Cancellation in aeroplanes
Features
There are loads of features available on modern headsets, many of which are really useful, some less so. You need to consider:
- Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) – ANC is the better than Passive Noise Cancelling (PNC) for long term hearing protection. It uses the headset speakers to cancel out the external noise. ANC is also better for short term comfort, since the headset won’t have to clamp as tightly over your ears
- Cushioning – Different headsets have different padding on the earcups and the headband to make them more comfortable. Some have modular pads that can be removed and replaced/upgraded with softer cushions, which can make a big difference
- Bluetooth connection – Not recommended for use in lessons, some headsets have the capability of connecting to your phone to make phone calls on the ground. This adds quite a lot to the cost for a relatively small benefit
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitoring – On the face of it, CO monitoring sounds like a great idea. The problem with using it in flight is that many light aircraft (including common training aircraft) regularly accumulate a small (safe) amount of CO while running. The headset warning activating can therefore cause alarm or distraction where in reality there is little to no risk. Other ways of monitoring CO are available for use in flight
Cost
The advice generally with any flight equipment is to pick two of the following:
- Low cost
- High quality
- Lots of features
You won’t find a headset that fits all three, it doesn’t exist. You need the find the balance between them that suits you. We recommend starting with a budget in mind, then trying different headsets from within that budget until you find one that’s comfortable. Noise reduction should be the next driver, then features if you really want them.
The exception is if you can find second hand headsets available from a trusted seller. You may have a friend who got you into flying, or an instructor, or another mutual friend, who is selling a headset. For the most part if headsets work, they are fine. There isn’t much to break. I have a pair of David Clarks that I bought second hand for half the retail price, and they’re still going strong.
However when you start looking at higher grade headsets, be mindful that there won’t be a warranty for second hand ones. If you’re looking at top of the range equipment for a slight discount second hand, you may be safer buying it new.
See more on budgeting for your PPL
Top tip – Spares
When you fly with a family member or friend after you have got your PPL, you’ll probably need a spare headset for them to use in flight. This is a good opportunity for you to buy a headset at the lower end of the price range to see how you get on. If you like it, buy a second when required for your passengers. If you don’t, keep it as a spare for the passengers and buy yourself a more comfortable/better one when you pass your exam!
Ready to start looking?
Why not start at Pooley’s and use code PPLGUIDE for a discount off most of their range of products?
