Zach -

Quick question for you... Which school and/or CFI are you learning from at KSMO? I've *just* about budgeted enough money to begin classes later in the summer and am looking for flight schools in the LA-area.

-Chris
(19 year Mac user and developer)
 

Zach-

Re Headsets

I was in the market for one recently as well. Tough question as everyone has different likes and budgets. I work at EAA and even with all the resources I have at my disposal, I will admit that there is no easy way to figure out what you want short of trying friends headsets. I tried about 8 different headsets before buying and that jus scratches the surface of what is out there. I ended up buying one that I did not try.

My advice:
Buy a basic passive one first. You might be perfectly happy with it and save some cash. At a minimum it will be a big step up from the ones you're given from the FBO.

Attend AirVenture Oshkosh - Great excuse to attend the World's Greatest Fly In plus you'll get the best price and can try on multiple models. If you can't attend, have a friend who goes buy it for you.

I bought the Peltor Nordica Sport Aviation Headset - MT22H52A-01
It comes in different colors. Very basic passive headset but very light. I picked it because it was light, inexpensive, and had high passive noise reduction. I've been happy with it so far and have no regrets. At AirVenture I think you could buy it for about $99. I've seen it advertised anywhere from $119 to the list of $159.

Hope this helps.

Charlie Becker
 

If you really want a lightweight headset, the in-the-ear products may be an option. I've not used one, but some people like them.

My first headset was a Telex 5x5 Pro II, which I still have somewhere. This is an in-one-ear unit. I got a small plastic tube from a hobby store, poked a hole in a foam ear plug and glued the tube to the ear plug. The other end of the tube literally screws onto the headset's audio output port. Put a real ear plug in the other ear and -- viola! -- instant lightweight, passive headset. I could even use a full-size Jepp hood with it. Try that today with the large ear cups and thick, padded headbands from, say, LightSPEED.

YMMV...

- Jeb
 

Hey Zach

So when I started flying I wanted ANR headsets too but was on a bit of a budget. My CFI told me about these.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/skycomIIANR.php
I got a pair and have been using them for almost 2 years now. I love them. They are great for a cheep headset and they are ANR to boot. I know one day I will upgrade to something really nice and when I do I will hold on to this set so my passenger can have ANR as well. I don't think you can go wrong with this head sat. Check it out.

Good luck.

-Will