220 Headset
 

I'm new to the 220. I thought you folks at B6 might be a good source of info re: personal headsets for use on the Canabus. Over at Delta, everyone seems to have their own opinion - many varied ones - to the point the only common ground is "I just use the shipset," which is a Telex on-the-ear. I'm not sure what model, don't care, because I fell out of love with it during in my first 20 hours in the airplane). I hate on-the-ear because of the pressure they place on the ear structure; comfortable at first, but after two hours they hurt! Maybe I just have weird ears.

Over-ear seems like too much for this airplane, plus I kissed turboprops goodbye 25 years ago and have spent my career avoiding the noise of the 737 - all just to bid adieu to the clamp. So I am leaning toward an in-ear solution, like Plantronics (now called Poly) MS50 or Telex 5x5. I think the A220 slipstream noise is a bit much for hours (going topless above 180) of unprotected exposure, so I seek something comfortable and quiet "enough" for continuous use, utilizing intercom. The culture of the fleet seems to lean toward full-time hot mic use anyhow. These two somewhat "old school" units I mentioned are single-sided affairs and I'd want to add opposite side audio via a Y splice and additional tubing/earpiece. I've seen guys do that on other aircraft, but I have no idea where to go for the parts. I'm not against ANR, but I am a cheap pilot that doesn't see the need for a four-figure device on this relatively quiet plane. Not a fan of batteries or extra modules either.

Thanks for any tips you can offer regarding mods to the headsets I listed or suggestions of a better solution.

I use the shipset, David Clark pro….works well on the A220. Some bring their own headset.

I don’t fly it but I sat in the jumpseat on one of ours recently while I was on a deadhead just to check it out (and not deal with or listen to the 2 hour delayed pax in the back).

Anyway, I plugged in the observer jack with my Bose QC25/Ufly rig I use in my plane. It was way more than adequate and that headset is comfortable for hours. It’s a very well designed and comfortable flight deck.

I used my QC35/UFlyMike in the jumpseat of one, and have used it in the 190 and 320, and it works well in all applications.

I Use the Bose Pro Flight Series 2 and am very happy with that. I tend to put it on early and have one earbud in for the radio and one out for internal discussions. When I was on the A320 it worked well to keep one in and one out when the other guy preferred to take his headset off. Its a bit pricey but I feel the noise cancelling makes the day less fatiguing. Downside form the QC25 or similar with a uflymike is that the pro elite really isn't going to allow you to detach the mic as easily and use it when on a DH.

Exactly, I wear the Bose Pro Flight Series 2 all the time, one in one out at cruise. It's so light you forget your wearing it and it's very nice for those who wear glasses, no pressure on your eyeglass frames. NR and bluetooth are great.

Does the plane supply power for noise canceling (like the E190), or does one have to use batteries (like the A320)?

Bose A2

GP

I use my Bose QC15/UFlyMike combo. Works great, and I find it much more comfortable than the DC shipset, but I don't like ear pads that sit on your ears.

Great and cost-effective solution.

I happen to have a non-aviation Bose. I think it's a QC35. I had sort of dismissed the UFlyMike concept due to the lack of TSO; their website has stated "in the works" for at least 1.5 years, so I'm assuming it's not going to happen. I'm not smart enough to change my habits or headsets if a Fed or company line check guy show up, so I stick with by-the-book on everything I can. Is it irrational fear to think an unapproved comm set-up could get me in trouble? I was once chastised by a Fed in a single pilot 135 op for placing a sunshade film on the windscreen; Fed "where's the TSO stamp on that shade?" Me: "burned off by brutal sun rays that would have scorched my corneas if not for the dark film protection." He was serious and was not amused. Then I turned due east into a harsh early morning sun and asked him which was safer for my operation, with or without said unapproved airplane accessory? I also let him hand fly and land the mighty Navajo, and he forgot all about the TSO B.S. The point is, there are people who care about such petty matters. I assume UFlyMike and the consumer-grade Bose have not caused you any grief?

Thanks to all who share their 220 headset thoughts.

Neither JetBlue, nor the FAA, require a TSO’d headset. I’ve never switched mine out when a fed has been on my jump. Does delta really care? Guess it wouldn’t surprise me.