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The Design
Weighing in at 4.9 oz. compared to approximately 12 oz. for the Bose A20 headset, the ProFlight presents Bose fans with a much lighter weight option yet retains exceptional noise cancel- lation the company is known for – specifically when flying turbine and quieter turboprop aircraft.
Designed with ear buds instead of over-the-ear cups, the ProFlight makes easier use of sunglasses or prescription eyewear. To accommodate different ear shapes, the headset offers three different sizes of ear buds. The silicon ear buds are molded to a soft “wing” that enhances retention in the ear. Two pads are located above each ear along with an overhead arch which provides support for the wired ear buds and mic boom.
Though the ProFlight’s ear buds provide some passive noise attentua- tion, it does not match the same level of passive noise reduction of the full size, over-the-ear headsets like the A20. This is one reason Bose does not directly market this headset for noisier aircraft.
Where the ProFlight shines is in its unique ANR design for lower noise cockpits found in turboprop and
turbine aircraft. I’ve found through my testing that the noise level in most light jets is around 80-86 dB, while turboprops like my Meridian are 96 dB and high performance pistons, such as the SR22, are closer to 100 dB.
The ProFlight headset achieves its proprietary noise reduction by incor- porating three acoustic profiles, each tuned to a particular combination of frequency attenuations or cancelling. Rather than a flat reduction of sound levels across the frequency sound spectrum, each profile is customized to provide attenuation at specific fre- quencies. In the “Low” setting, external bass frequencies are attenuated while med and voice frequencies appear to be enhanced or amplified. In the other two settings, “Med” and “High,” the attenuation profile changes progres- sively, with maximum attenuation of all frequencies experienced in the “High” profile.
Tap Twice for Your Passengers or Co-Pilot
Now, for probably the coolest fea- ture. Bose incorporated instant ANR reduction by way of double tapping either ear piece. If your ANR settings are set to “Med” or “High”, tapping twice on either ear bud instantly low- ers the ANR to “Low”, allowing for easier hearing of any sound such as a passenger talking. This eliminates the need to remove your earbud or fiddle with your noise reduction settings. Once you are ready to return to your previous ANR setting, simply tap twice again on the ear bud.
Comfort
Frankly, if a headset isn’t comfort- able, pilots aren’t going to use it for long – no matter the whiz-bang fea- tures it proclaims to offer. Over my career, I’ve used an assortment of de- signs and brands: earplugs, regular
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September 2018
TWIN & TURBINE • 27