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| I used to fly that plane! |
Craaaack! Yep, that's what I heard when putting on my headset when trying to leave Coldland aka Michigan yesterday. I decided to save this blog post for later because I could not wait to share yesterday's sunset pictures. I'm not used to the cold Michigan weather anymore and I did not miss it! After the day after Christmas snow left seven inches on the ground, the FBO ramp was white and the jets blended in. The bright sun caused everything to shimmer.
Upon arrival, we loaded the plane with all our Christmas goodies. It was like a game of Tetris to fit it all in and not break anything. The battle RC helicopters I had bought for Bob would now serve as my headrest. There was about three inches of snow on the plane as well as a nice layer of ice. We adorned our gloves and began wiping away until the FBO lent us a broom. A credit card would later scrape off the remaining ice as we went around the plane with a focused eye.
The plane was ready and fueled. The weather was double checked. My headset lay upon my lap while Bob put the keys in the ignition. Annnnd...it didn't start. The propeller turned ever so slowly, but just couldn't get fast enough to start. It was just too cold and we needed to preheat. Out we hopped from the plane and somehow managed to fit a hose that was meant for a jet into the wheel well. We waited by the loud preheater hopping around in the cold for 15 minutes.
As we got seated in the aircraft again, it was now happy and started up without any complaint. Even with the engine roaring, as I went to put on my headset I froze at the loud noise I heard coming from between my hands. Craaaack!
"No way!" I thought. Ok, maybe I swore, because I knew I'd be a little more than perturbed if the sound was what I thought it was.
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| Wish we had that for our driveway! |
It was. My beloved Lightspeed headset (which Bob had passed onto me on my first birthday we had celebrated together) had become brittle in the cold air and cracked straight through the top. It now has a 'hinge'. Luckily, it held together for the flight and kept the noise cancelling seal well enough. I'm not sure how much longer it will and I don't believe duct tape on a headset is very fashion forward for an aviatrix such as myself.
I heard Lightspeed has good customer service so hopefully they can fix it without an extreme cost to me. I have been wanting to upgrade for awhile now, so maybe it is finally the time. I favor the noise cancelling on the Lightspeed, but prefer the lightweight and the look of the Bose. Unfortunately, money is a factor in this decision so I may have to go the duct tape route for awhile.
What is your current or dream aviation headset?
I've found nothing as good as my Halo - http://www.quiettechnologies.com/.
ReplyDeleteLess than an ounce, and fantastic noise reduction. I've tried a bunch of the actives and I just don't get it. In-ear passives don't take batteries, are significantly cheaper, lighter, more comfortable for longer trips, and do just as good (and better depending on whose numbers you believe) at noise reduction.
Some like the Clarity Aloft, I don't because the frame is too rigid and doesn't fit my head and their ear tips are more expensive.
I've steered half a dozen other pilots to them over the past two years I've had mine and nobody's taken advantage of his return policy.
The only downsides I'll bring up: not everybody can deal with something in their outer ear. If you're ok with foam earplugs, you'll be fine with this. And second, I can't use it when I fly Young Eagles because it's not a good quick-on/quick-off headset. Everything else, it's the only thing I'll use.
Awesome, Adam! Thanks for the suggestion. I had looked into the Clarity Alofts before because they were reviewed on the podcast and loved how light they are. I'm sure I could get used to it being in my ear. Haven't heard of the Halo, I am checking out the link now :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Great price! I'd be skeptical if you hadn't recommended them.
ReplyDeleteBy modern standards the site definitely looks sketchy / old school. But he and his wife are in the same place every year at Oshkosh when I go buy to buy a year's supply of new tips whether I need them or not.
ReplyDeleteThe owner (Phil) is a pilot, audiologist (the guy you go to for hearing aids - so he knows his way around the electronics used inside) and at least when I bought mine he built the handsets himself by hand. Mine actually had the label accidentally put on backwards so I got another label to replace it via mail the next week.
My halo is the only piece of gear in my flight bag I'd miss on every flight if it disappeared.
Thanks for all your input! I am definitely intrigued and may have to take the plunge. I don't have much to lose. The price is unbeatable. I'll keep you updated! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll 2nd the QT Halos. I bought my wife one too and she loves it too. I still carry a spare regular headset which came in hand this week after getting over an ear infection!
ReplyDeleteGood point in regards to the ear infection, Geoff! Do you find you have to change the ear pieces often? I guess it depends how waxy your ears get? LOL :)
ReplyDeleteThey last a while. I just find myself trying to get my hands a lot cleaner after preflighting. It's handy to still have on kid in diapers so the wipes sure are handy!
ReplyDeleteHey Girl.......Happy Happy New Year...!!!!
ReplyDeleteMissTWA
I fully intend on buying a Halo - I've never heard anything but great stuff about them. I actually tried one on at OSH and the sound quality was awesome.
ReplyDeleteThat aside, I also had to have one of mine fixed by Lightspeed a couple years ago and their service was indeed top-notch. Came back looking better than the day I bought it (used).
So, whichever route you go, hope you've got a functional headset again soon!
Well then, I think we have a winner! I am sending the Lightspeeds for repair in after our flight today, but fully intend to order the Halo in the near future!
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