Purple Nugget

Since I'm getting early parole on the 727, moving on to quieter jets, I'm looking at getting an in-ear molded headset. In doing research and talking to guys that have them now, it looks like there are 2 good options available. They are the "Plantronics MS-50" and the "Telex 5x5 Pro III."

I've found reviews of each, but none comparing the two. It seems that they both will be about the same size; the Telex looks like it may be a little lighter and has adjustments to the microphone gain, but more expensive.

Does anyone have any input as to the difference?

I currently have a Sennheiser ANR model, and love it. Great RJ headset, but not for a company that doesn't use the aircraft's intercom. I'm looking at the "One ear open" models. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

subicpilot

Don't know anything about the Plantronics, but I can tell you that I bought my Telex 5x5 Pro III when I got hired in '96 from Shirley Meyers...she's the vendor in the Memphis area (I can get you her number if you want it. There should be some flyers around the crew lounge bb's) She did the custom ear pieces too. I absolutely love it and have had no problems with it whatsoever, other than leaving it in the a/c a couple times. Great piece of gear.

ECQLO

Purple Nugget. I have been using the MS200 for couple of years now. I bought it for about 150.00usd

Bohica

This begs the question. Why don't we use the intercom at FedEx? Anybody know? In my former life we used the intercom to talk to each other and had the radio(s) over the speakers. Worked pretty well.

Just wondering why we insist on yelling to one another at FedEx.

hyperone

Purple Nugget, "Since I'm getting early parole on the 727, moving on to quieter jets, I'm looking at getting an in-ear molded headset."

Why? I don't know about the Bus, but very few folks use headsets on the Maddog. For the most part, it's quite enough in the cockpit to hear each other using normal, conversational volume. My advice would be to wait until after your IOE to evaluate for yourself, whether or not you'll need a headset.

Purple Nugget

Bohica, "Because that's the way we did it on the Falcon!" Has always been the answer I get. I think it has something to do with the way FedEx set up the intercom as a jumpseat to cockpit communication system on the fly. So if we used the intercom, the jumpseaters would be part of the conversation. That's ok though; I have the documentation I need when my hearing does go out, so Fred will pay for my hearing aids.

hyper, waiting is a good idea, but I've been asked for Christmas present ideas, and thought it might be a good one. I know people in the Maddog loose them at 180, but I still like having a smaller, personal model. You know, Coodies and all.... I'm heading for the 757, which is quiet, but I'm still looking for that personal "Big jet" headset.

boost

Personally I just use the provided headset and take it off at 18 and then use the speaker and hand mike. I have used the telex 5x5 pro and it works well if you get a good mold for your earpiece. I think that it gets pretty old having a big thing in your ear for a long time though.
Also you should be aware that it comes with both one and two plug configurations so make sure that you get the right one. I know the company provided ones have two plugs (mic and headset) on the md. I'm not sure if there is a plug up there for the single plug models or not.

CloudSailor

Albie, if you're on this thread, how is it that you use the Bose X without FedEx using the intercom. Do you have to yell to hear yourself over the ANR when you have them on? The intercom isn't used on the 727?

Falconjet

Cloud: The guys in the Boeing with the nice, noise canceling headsets just leave one ear exposed like everyone else. I'm not sure what the benefit of those headsets are in the Boeing, but maybe your outboard ear will not be damaged from all the noise.

I read the owner's manual for one of the Sennheiser and it says that it doesn't offer hearing protection. I guess it masks the noise so you don't hear it but the damaging sound waves are still hitting your eardrums. This seems more dangerous to me than not wearing hearing protection, because at least without the protection you know when you are being exposed to potentially damaging sound levels and will hopefully put your fingers in your ears!

Personally, I wear the foam earplugs from the moment I get into the crew bus until I am back inside the bus or a building away from the ramp. Since I am wearing hearing protection all the time there really isn't much of an advantage to wearing a noise canceling headset for me. The cheap, very lightweight headsets in the jet are more comfortable than a heavy, closed ear headset that you are going to only be able to half-wear anyway.

Ironically, I flew Falcon 20s in the CG and we used headsets and the intercom to talk to each other and the crewmembers in back. We monitored the radios over the speakers. Seemed to work just fine, and you always had some hearing protection on.

I have been rabid about hearing protection since I started flying and wear foam earplugs to mow the yard, ride my Harley, use the shop vac, you name it, and it has done wonders to protect my hearing. I wear them in the Boeing and I am able to hear the other pilots just fine over the roar, at least as well as I could if I weren't wearing them. I have tried both ways and I won't fly without the ear plugs.

For whatever that is worth.

FJ

MaydayMark

Hey FalconJet ... did you fly with me last month? I had an f/o who, like you, wore foam earplugs the entire flight. I understand the whole "hearing conservation" thing. I'm one of the few guys I know that ALWAYS wears foam earplugs when I'm OUTSIDE the airplane (and like you for noisy home activities). The MD-11 is the quietest airplane I've ever flown, hearing protection is not required.

Here's the problem ... this f/o did NOT hear a single thing I said the first time I said it. His response was inevitably, "Huh?" The second day of the trip, I pointed out to him that he couldn't hear sh*t with his earplugs in (actually, I thought it was my best attempt at CRM and that he would surely remove them, he didn't). IT WAS DANGEROUS and I will not permit it the next time I fly with the guy.