by Department of Defence

Pilots are trained to analyze and perform complex tasks with astonishing precision. For some reason when it comes to Pilot Headsets, we do not do that well. Some of us just pick the most expensive brands; trusting the old saying, “you get what you pay for”. But price is definitely not a reliable indicator of a good headset.

Many of the most well-known companies are well-known because they spend so much on advertising to get, you guessed it, well-known. For every expensive headset, there is at least one inexpensive headset that performs just as well, if not better. If you choose to go ahead and spend the top dollar for your headset, you just lost the money to fly a few hours in your favorite aircraft. But next time you see an ad from that company, you can be sure you helped in making that ad get published.

Given you want your headset to work even when your co-pilot is taking a nap, base your decision on the following criteria:

– Durability: This is a hard criterion to asses. The best you can do is to check the reviews online and see what kind of warranty is offered by the manufacturer. Ideally, your headset comes with a few years of Replacement Warranty. This means if your headset stops working for any reason, they will simply send you a brand new one. No need to wait for repair to get your old, smelly headset back.

– Comfort: A heavy, constant pressure can make the nicest pilots grumpy. Headsets that weight over 20 ounces should be avoided at all costs – unless you are training your neck muscles. Silicone Gel ear seals or leather will provide the most comfortable feeling over your ears. A comfortable cushion at the top is mandatory regardless of baldness. You know you have an excellent headset when you forget you have it on during a flight.

– Noise Cancellation: Your headset should provide a minimum of 20 decibels of noise cancellation. The higher the noise cancellation, the quieter your cockpit will seem. If your headset has ANR – which requires batteries, you will enjoy additional noise cancellation for your constant cockpit noises such as engine noise.

Unfortunately, finding out the above is not quite possible without trying out the headset. Check Pilot Headsets sold on Amazon.com or Ebay.com as these places provide real reviews from people who actually bought and use one. In additional, find a company that provides a 30 day return guarantee just in case you and the headset don’t get along well in the cockpit.