No, it's not.

The adapter now has a small ear bud that you can use whent he QC2 batteries die or when it breaks.... and the entire adapter is TSO'd... the QC2 headset is not TSO'd, and the only people who can have the QC2 TSO'd is Bose, and they won't.

The combination is nice, it works well, but for airlines that have specs requiring TSO'd headsets, this combo doesn't fit the bill.

Scroll up a few posts, people ARE getting violated/busted for it.

Saving a few bucks on a headset isn't worth the ding on my ticket and the carpet dance in the CP's office just because somebody gets a hair across their *** and doesn't like the things...

Yes it is. The headset is TSO'd. The headband is not.

"The adapter" as you see it is the headset. You use the ear bud ALL the time (or you do if you want to use the headset as it's intended for TSO), not just when the battery dies, when 'the headband' breaks, or when you don't have something else plugged into the jack (like another audio source, such as an iPod or DVD movie).

The combo does fit the bill (it's TSO'd), people are not "getting violated/busted for it", there are no posts on this thread talking about anyone who has been busted (scroll back all you want, to the beginning, like I did. There's only discussion that a single poster has seen less QC2's on Southwest [before the TSO and the reason for the TSO]), and why would you fear a "ding" on your ticket or a "carpet dance" for using a TSO approved headset - something that is not required by the FAR's, but is required by some airlines?

A QC2 w/ UFlyMike (used the way it is intended) is no more 'risky' than using a Bose X or David Clark or Telex 750. Do you worry about someone getting a "hair across their ***" about those headsets?

In the end, the only thing that matters is - what is Southwest's current position on using the UFlyMike now that it's TSO'd? Do they now require the headband to be TSO'd too? Since this is on the regional thread, I'll post it on the majors thread to get the response.

After researching their website, it looks like the UFM adapter with the earbud (the only way it is TSO'd) is $300. the Bose QC2 headphones according to Amazon are $300 unless you get a used pair. That's $600! You can get a set of Telex 850s which are unquestionably TSO'd for about $400 new. Doesn't sound like it saves you money at all really by going with the UFM.

I would rather pay the 600 bucks for the Uflymike than use a free Telex 850... 850s hurt and the audio clarity sucks in my opinion.

The headband IS the QC2.... if your not wearing it, turned on, then what's the point...... and the QC2 is not TSO'd

The mike adapter and earbud are TSO'd, the combo includes the QC2, which is not TSO'd.

Guess you missed this post....


if it's in FM-1, and/or AOM-1 then its the same as a FAR.

Sniper, I normally agree with about 98% of your posts.... this one falls in the other 2% I guess.

The couple of times I've flown with people using the headset, I noticed one thing: the background noise picked up by the mic is almost unbearable! One time in particular (in a light twin), I could barely make out the person's voice over the engine noise the mic was sending through the intercom.

From the reviews, this must be a great setup. But unless they've improved the noise canceling in that mic, don't be surprised if your flying buddy keeps asking you to repeat yourself.

I understand that there is a gain adjustment, probably never be used by your buddy...

You guys are gonna crucify me for this, but...aren't we supposed to be attentive and alert to all aircraft and ATC communicatons instead of listening to music or whatever else? After all, this is our office. Okay, go ahead, blast away. I can take it!

My wife listens to music in her cubicle ;)

If needed, I will mention that next time I fly with somebody using the set!

The Telex 5x5 is TSO'd, agreed? Virtually all of the pilots who use the 5x5 use a custom ear mold and either have the mic boom clipped to the ear mold using a piece of plastic, or clipped to their glasses/sunglasses. Either way, the custom ear mold, the plastic piece and/or the eye glasses are not TSO'd (they're not original to the headset). Nor is the headband that is used with the UFM, the QC2.

If you're worried about using a non-TSO'd headband, than here's some other headset stuff I'm sure you're not doing:

• in-ear headsets with custom molds or different ear pieces than they originally came with
• a rubber band around your 'mic muff' rather than that black 'rubber band thingie' that comes with the headset (DC especially)
• don't use the mic muff @ all (you lost it)
• aftermarket gel ear seals
• ear plugs (not TSO'd, nor TSO'd as part of a 'system' to be used) along with your headset
• aftermarket NR

I'm just saying, if you, as the reader, are concerned about the QC2 not being TSO'd as a headband, than you are really taking the TSO'd requirement to heart - which is fine, you are well on your way to a potentially fulfilling career in government.;) However, this 'everything must be TSO'd' thinking should be universally applied. Any headset that doesn't use 100% OM components and isn't used 100% in the way it was intended when TSO'd is no longer TSO'd, not just the one headset that will almost certainly use a non-TSO'd headband.

I did. Egg on my face right there, huh? :)

I agree. I'm aware of only 1 carrier that specifically prohibits the use of non-TSO'd ANR devices in their manuals - Southwest (great post by a Southwest guy on the majors forum that uses his UFM/QC2 without a battery every time he gets line checked @ Southwest!). Every other carrier out there (that I'm aware of - fee free to correct me) that does have a TSO requirement only requires the "headset" to be TSO'd - the UFM is the "headset", and, if used properly, it is TSO'd. Thus, there is no reason to fear being violated.

My wife is around 20%, and my friends around 70%, so . . . I'm more than happy to take 98%.:D