Hey all, first off this is my first post but I've been reading for a while. I'm a CFII working at a flight school working towards my MEI and a career in aviation, whether it is commercial or corporate or wherever the winds blow me.

I'm going to be purchasing a new headset and am thinking of an in-the-ear type headset. But since I've never used on I have a few questions.

I'm considering a clarity aloft or lightspeed.

1. What is TSO? and do major, regional and corporate rules require their pilots to have TSO certified headsets. If so this will almost make my decision for me.

2. Anyone with clarity aloft. Can you get custom ear molds? That is one of the features I like about the lightspeed Mach 1.C.

3. Anybody have any experience with both and have a preference? Or is there a better headset available?

Thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to your responses.

Most airlines require the headset used to comply with the tso requirements.

I use a ANR 850 and it works very well in every aircraft I have flown.

Technical Standard Order... No, not normally, but I do think there was some issue at SWA.




I have the TSO'd Clarity Aloft. You can get molded ear pieces any where in the world that sells hearing aids.



Get the headset that's comfortable to you, and for the plane you plan to use it in. I don't recommend the Clarity in a noisy prop plane (I use a Bose X for that). Even the noisier jets. Also, don't recommend it for crew aircraft that don't use an intercom (Boeing).

Finally, this probably does not belong in the Major forum.

There has been some FAA interest lately in non-TSO headsets at a few airlines (including mine) so you might want to go with TSO.

I use a telex 850 too, works great in a jet but for piston general aviation you probably want an over-the-ear headset like a bose or lightspeed to block out all that prop. Those are expensive.

I used the clarity aloft as a CFI in the seminole, functionally they were excellent, no problem at all with noise, they sounded great. Unfortunately the pieces that go over you ears dug into my skin and after a 4 hour cross country I shipped them back.

Then I got a pair of Bose which I loved. Used them for a little while in the ERJ but they were overkill, and I was worried about my flight case crushing them. So I sold those and bought a pair of telex 750s on ebay for $80 and used those + foam earplugs, worked great.

I would recommend getting a good GA headset and worry about a jet compatible headset when you get hired to fly that equipment. If you're a CFI now you know how uncomfortable a traditional DC esque headset can get after a long day. I would recommend either the Bose or Lightspeed Zulu. I recently purchased a Bose earlier this year using their 0% financing ($83 a month/12months). By far the best investment I have made.

I had been a long faithful to my DC's and was planning on getting a telex or something similar when I got to a regional. But after my furlough last year I realized I would be spending a lot more time in pistons. In the interests of preserving my hearing I've invested in the Bose. It should also work out as tax write off as an independent contractor.

I occasionally pull 12+ hour days in a piston single wearing Lightspeed Zulus. They are very quiet and very comfortable for that purpose. I tried a pair of Clarity Alofts in the same situation and found them a bit troublesome to put on, susceptible to inadvertent dislocation, and the noise level was so-so. However, they might be ok for jets and I did not try them there.

David Clarks. The are a bit uncomfortable after 6 legs, but if you're in a 700 or 900 and you can go "topless" it's not so bad, you only have to put them on for T/O, and descent/landing. I've had the same DC's for 20 years, and I really can't complain. Was going to buy some Bose, but decided to wait.

The real answer: whatever you like and your job lets you use. I understand some of the regionals actually specify only TSO'd headsets in their GOMs.

Bose. They cost a lot, but are worth the money in my opinion. Not only are they a great headset, but they have superior customer service too. I've used them in the pistons, dash8, crj, and now the E175. Many say it's overkill, but they are comfortable enough to wear for 8 hours of flying in a day, and I feel less fatigued compared to wearing the 750's. I tried the 750's in both jets with and without earplugs and ended up wearing the Bose in the end.

I've used the QC2 with the Uflymike on the ERJ145, Saab and in a mooney single piston and it was great. I bet the QC15 will sound even better.