Noise Canceling Headsets and Engine Issues

[reece.t]

Hey I'm looking to get a noise canceling headset (Bose X), but I'm a little concerned about the safety of flying with them!

If you're using noise canceling headphones and experience rough running or some sort of issue that would generally be detected by hearing the abnormality in the engine, won't this go unnoticed and possibly lead to some serious repercussions??

[Northbeach]

What kind of equipment are you flying; helicopter, airplane, piston, turboprop, single, twin, turbojet?

When I was flying piston single and twins I was happy with David Clarks. On the business jets I loved my Sony headset (I don’t think it is currently in production).

Flying the Boeing 737 series, noise canceling is highly recommended. Our airline has over a thousand crews. Most of the first officers I fly with have the same set up as I do. It is the Bose Quiet Comfort II with the “U Fly Mic” adaptor. The adaptor was developed by a now retired Southwest Airlines Captain (who is a PpruNe contributer. He will probably be along here soon). I am completely satisfied with the arrangement, and when it wears out I will buy another one (it is showing no signs of wearing out after 3 years of continuous use).

As far as your concern that the noise-canceling headset will mask a potential problem by not allowing you to hear it, I guess it is a possibility. However, you will adapt to the “new normal and much quieter” level of sound, and should still be able to be in tune with your aircraft.

I have flown with and without noise canceling headsets. With the noise-canceling headset I am far more rested and alert at the end of the day, than I am if I have flown without the benefit of noise canceling headsets. Personally, I would not worry about better headsets masking the noise associated with a potential problem.

Here is the link to the “U Fly Mic” adaptor.

http://www.uflymike.com/

I am not compensated for recommending this product nor do I have any commercial arrangement with the manufacturer. I just think it is by far the best headset available for commercial jet pilots.

Northbeach

[reece.t]

@Northbeach

Thanks heaps, very helpful stuff. I'll be flying single and twin engine piston planes for a while. So you can still hear the engine, but it's just much quieter?

[Northbeach]

I was quite happy with my David Clarks when I was flying piston singles and twins. Some years ago my usual headset was unavailable for a few days of flying and I brought out my David Clarks and flew with them again. I was amazed at how heavy they felt after using a much smaller headset flying turbojets.

The few people I have talked to who own the Bose Aviation X have said that they thought it was fairly heavy. At a thousand US dollars it is expensive as well. Bose makes good products, but there are better aviation headsets available. The Bose Quiet Comfort is a noise canceling headset designed to have your IPod (or whatever) connected to it. “U Fly Mic” technology/product simply plugs into this docking bay and you are up and running at approximately half the price of the Aviation X.

I notice many of the passengers who fly on our planes have Bose headsets for their own convenience when they fly. In the US there are Bose sales booths in many airports selling their product, I don’t know about OZ. In any case you should be able to have a set of noise canceling headsets demonstrated before you buy. It does not eliminate all the outside noise, but there is a significant, noticeable and very pleasant reduction in background noise when the headset is turned on and begins its noise canceling function. As I mentioned you will experience a “new normal” ambient noise level in your aircraft. That new normal will not be silent but much quieter than flying without headsets or without noise-canceling headsets.

Perhaps somebody in your neck of the woods (out in the Wup Wup-I love that expression) or around your aerodrome has a set you can try before you part with your hard earned cash.

Take Care,

Northbeach

[welliewanger]

Noise cancelling headsets do not make it silent. You can still hear what's going on, it's just quieter than if you just have passive cancelation. And much more comfortable.

For piston engine work, the Bose Quiet comfort probably won't cut the noise down enough. The Bose-X is excellent, but pricey. There are very few flaws in their design.

[mblackey]

"For piston engine work, the Bose Quiet comfort probably won't cut the noise down enough."

Actually, the Bose QuietComfort works very well except in the noisiest of piston aircraft, e.g., C-185, Maule with big engine, open cockpit. In anything else, it is nearly as quiet as the Bose X. The difference in hearing protection is primarily from the difference in size between the QuietComfort and the X. The X is nearly twice the size.

Bose has a 30 day return policy. We recommend you try them in your aircraft... just put them on and wear them. If they cancel noise to your liking, you're set. If not, return them to Bose.

Mike