I trained under an "old-school" instructor who used a boom mike and speaker for communication. His rational was that you could hear the airplane, and that was important. Sure enough, on my first solo in IMC at night while I was fumbling with maps I let the right wing drop. It has the increasing pitch of the wind around the airframe that alerted me to my mistake. Do any of you fly without headsets in your RV's? I had no real problem with the noise in the Cherokees I'm used to and don't really like wearing headsets.
Van's Air Force
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Speakers vs. Headphones
- Thread starter jpowell13
- Start date
Sid Lambert
Well Known Member
You'd probably be deaf in a matter of hours. RV's are pretty loud compared to some other GA aircraft. Buy a good set of ANR headsets and you can hear the changes in wind and hear more changes in the engine. I've flown my RV with my headsets off and it's unnerving.
Reminds me of a visit I made to Santa Paula Airport (KSZP) during the monthly open hangar day several years ago. I wandered into a hangar to check out a nice-looking Champ. The owner was on a tirade about "real pilots", which in his opinion excluded anyone who wore a headset. I asked him if he'd ever tried one. He replied "...what?"
John Clark
Well Known Member
What? Was that for us?
Very true and sadly funny. I am a 15K hour, 64 year old pilot with nearly normal hearing thanks to headsets and wearing ear protection on the ramp.
John Clark ATP, CFI
FAA FAAST Team Member
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA
Very true and sadly funny. I am a 15K hour, 64 year old pilot with nearly normal hearing thanks to headsets and wearing ear protection on the ramp.
John Clark ATP, CFI
FAA FAAST Team Member
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA
L.Adamson
Well Known Member
Depends if you like something in your ear.........or not. I don't, yet many many prefer the Halo style. I use Telex Stratus Digitals, myself.
L.Adamson --- RV6A
headsets
I've never tried the "in the ear canal" type but probably should before I buy something new. I've had a set of Avcomm headsets forever, but it seems like I have more trouble understanding ATC than I used to.....probably age. Anyway, I have two sets of David Clarks and two sets of Avcomms and I prefer to use the Avcomms. They are much more comfortable and are just as clear as the David Clarks. I think I'll sell them all and buy either Quiet Technologies Halos or Lightspeed Zulus. I'd like to try the "in the ear canal" type before I buy something new though. I don't want to make a mistake. Lightspeed is offering $150.00 trade credit for an old set on a new Lightspeed Zulu set. Sort of leaning in that direction and will make the decision at Sun n Fun at the demonstration booth I guess.
I've never tried the "in the ear canal" type but probably should before I buy something new. I've had a set of Avcomm headsets forever, but it seems like I have more trouble understanding ATC than I used to.....probably age. Anyway, I have two sets of David Clarks and two sets of Avcomms and I prefer to use the Avcomms. They are much more comfortable and are just as clear as the David Clarks. I think I'll sell them all and buy either Quiet Technologies Halos or Lightspeed Zulus. I'd like to try the "in the ear canal" type before I buy something new though. I don't want to make a mistake. Lightspeed is offering $150.00 trade credit for an old set on a new Lightspeed Zulu set. Sort of leaning in that direction and will make the decision at Sun n Fun at the demonstration booth I guess.
RVbySDI
Well Known Member
I have used headsets for years. Including the Bose X ANR headsets. Since I completed the RV I have been flying with the Quiet Technologies' Halo headsets. If we discuss the difference in sound quality on its own merit for a minute, there is without a doubt no comparison. The Halo is much much more quiet than any other headset I have used.
The idea of "liking something in your ear" only comes in to play if one is to decide that the "yuk" factor is going to outweigh the performance factor of these headsets. If given just a few minutes to overcome any notion of uncomfortableness with having something in the ear, I bet one would find they really aren't as bad as one thought they would be. They do work as advertised.
Two Thoughts:
1) Since you asked specifically "In an RV" - yes, there is a big advantage in that all the RV's have a canopy that lets in LOTS of sun - being able to wear a broad-brimmed hat to ward off the dangers of sun exposure is a very nice advantage of the in-ear headsets.
2) When I was studying the halo's, my Flight Surgeons looked at the data and said I'd have better noise protection with them than with the ANR's on the market.
Paul
headsets
I've used "in the ear canal" ear plugs quite often in the past while around loud cars, but I've never used a headset as such. I never had a problem with the "yuk" and a broad brimmed hat is a must since I am bald. If Quiet Technologies Halo is good stuff, I think I'll give it a try. They appear to be much cheaper than most of the ANR headsets. Thanks for the advice fellows.
David Watson
I've used "in the ear canal" ear plugs quite often in the past while around loud cars, but I've never used a headset as such. I never had a problem with the "yuk" and a broad brimmed hat is a must since I am bald. If Quiet Technologies Halo is good stuff, I think I'll give it a try. They appear to be much cheaper than most of the ANR headsets. Thanks for the advice fellows.
David Watson
N8RV
Well Known Member
I had an old-style Bose headset in my Yankee and loved it. So, when I was deciding what to get for Smokey several years ago, I bought the Bose X and hard-wired them into the plane both front and back.
Since then, there are several other manufacturers who make excellent, comfortable ANR headsets. Go to SNF or AirVulture and try on several brands. See what trips your trigger.
I watched the video for the Halo. Interesting. One good thing about that headset is that it would force you to keep your ears clean!
Since then, there are several other manufacturers who make excellent, comfortable ANR headsets. Go to SNF or AirVulture and try on several brands. See what trips your trigger.
I watched the video for the Halo. Interesting. One good thing about that headset is that it would force you to keep your ears clean!
jetjok
Well Known Member
Just in case you had any further thoughts about not using a headset in your RV, and to follow John's message; I am a 18K+, 52 y/o pilot with absolutely abysmal hearing in the lower freq range.
The damage was likely done early on with 2K+ hours in piston twins without the protection of a headset. It sounds ridiculous, but back in the day, it was not "manly" to wear a headset and in my case we felt that we needed to be able to hear our passengers (prisoners).
Inclusive in my hearing loss was many hours of running a chainsaw in my teens to earn flying money.
As another poster has stated, the RV is a fantastic plane in all regards, with one of the few exceptions being it is LOUD!!! A headset is a requisite piece of equipment, and will allow you to hear the plane, the radio, and in the long run will greatly reduce fatigue making for a safer operation!
This is the kind of information I was looking for. Sounds like the Halo style may be best for me. Don't know if others have the same problem, but "ear muffs" tend to make my ears ring after a time. Also, I'm trying to keep my 6A light and uncluttered. Halos look better in that respect as well.
RV Wannabe
Well Known Member
Clarity Aloft is another in-ear option. More expensive, but have the ipod plug in capability.
I have not seen the Halo in person, so cannot speak to those. I do like my Clarity.
Mark
I have not seen the Halo in person, so cannot speak to those. I do like my Clarity.
Mark
