A quality pair of aviation headphones is a necessary expense for general aviation (GA) pilots. Earphones facilitate crucial communications and protect users' hearing from the harmful effects of engine noise. To maximize the benefits provided by ear sets, aviators should be prepared to spend sufficient money to obtain high-caliber headphones.
Reputable aviation headsets can command a fairly expensive price. As such, pilots should take every effort to protect their investments and maximize the longevity of their earphones. By following the suggestions outlined below, aviators can increase the chances their headphones will soldier on for years to come.
1. Use a Headset Case: A headset bag is an inexpensive way to reduce the chance of damage to your earphones. Headset protection can consist of a padded headset bag, an external hard shell case, a flight bag, or some combination of the three. Headset cases help protect your earset if dropped and keep it out of the elements during inclement weather. Many headphone vendors include cases with headset purchases. Otherwise, several options are available for purchase from the popular pilot shops. Whatever your choice, consider a dedicated headset case a cheap form of insurance to protect your investment.
2. Don't Leave Your Headset in the Aircraft: Many pilots, particularly aircraft owners, opt to leave their headsets in their aircraft at all times. While not necessarily a bad choice, it does come with additional risks. For starters, a high-end headset will probably attract attention from other airport users. Leaving it in the aircraft could attract vandals. Besides theft, a headset left in the aircraft is subject to the effects of heat, cold, sunlight, and moisture, particularly if the aircraft is parked on an airport ramp for extended periods. Even if hangared, most hangars are not climate-controlled. Take your headset with you when not flying to reduce the possibilities of theft or climate-related stress.
3. Unplug When Not in Use: If you choose to leave your headset in the aircraft, be sure to unplug it after each flight. A plugged-in earset is a tripping hazard, particularly among passengers new to GA. In addition, the tight confines of GA cockpits allow plenty of opportunities for headphone cables to get caught in seat rails, slammed in doors, or otherwise unintentionally damaged. By unplugging and wrapping up the cables after each flight, you reduce the risk of damaging your cords.
4. Go Wireless: In connection with #3 above, consider using a wireless headset. Wireless headsets negate the tripping hazards and cable damage their corded brethren might incur. Wireless models also remove the possibility of connection problems due to faulty cables. For your next headset, consider the benefits offered by wireless models.
5. Don't Hang Headphones on the Yoke: Hanging earphones from the control yoke is a common practice in GA cockpits. Unfortunately, it's not the best practice for the headset or the aircraft. During preflight operations, pilots must be able to move the control surfaces from inside and outside the cockpit. A headset positioned on the yoke can impede control movement. In addition, movement of the control surfaces, whether by the pilot or wind, can knock a headset into the floor. This introduces the possibility of an aircraft occupant stepping on the earset. For the sake of the headset and the aircraft, refrain from using the control yoke as a headset hanger.
6. Don't Place Headsets on the Dash: Like the control yoke, the dashboard is not a good place to set your headphones. The main concern here is that the headset might scrape the windscreen, resulting in nicks and scratches. A headset left on the dash can also absorb a significant amount of sunlight and heat, leaving it too hot for the user to wear. Over time, repeated exposure to excess sunlight will fade the earcups and possibly degrade other headset components. Avoid these possibilities by ignoring the dash as a headset holder.
7. Never Leave a Headset in a Seat: Leaving earphones in an aircraft seat is an invitation for trouble. If you ever fly with non-pilots, the chances are good they will leave an impression on your headset, and not in a good way. Most GA aircraft aren't known for being particularly easy to board, especially for back seat passengers. For new passengers, boarding a light aircraft is awkward to say the least. Your passengers will likely have their arms, knees, and posteriors in the aircraft seats, though not necessarily the seats they're trying to board. Leaving a headset in an unoccupied seat is like placing a target on it. Though you might get lucky the first few times, fly with passengers enough and a headset will get bent, squashed, or otherwise destroyed. To avoid this, have passengers board and get strapped in before handing them their headsets.
8. Keep Your Earphones Clean: This is an often-overlooked strategy for keeping your headphones in prime condition. Keeping your headphones clean is a simple task that requires minimal effort. From repeated use, your earphones accumulate sweat, dust, hair, and other unpleasant grit. Wipe them down periodically with a damp cloth to remove these unwanted accumulations. This simple action will keep your headset looking pristine long after its first flight.
Aviation headsets are invaluable tools for cockpit communication and noise reduction. High-quality models are easily worth the investment, but can represent a sizeable expense for aviation consumers. Follow the steps outlined above and you're likely to maximize the potential return on your headset investment.
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