Blue tooth headset flightgear

SMALL AND BLUE-TIFUL, THE HEADSET REVOLUTION

Bluetooth wire-less technology comes to aviation

THERE’S A revolution coming to aviation headsets – they’re getting smaller and they’re getting Bluetooth. Three new headsets were announced last month with the fi rst, LightSpeed’s Mach 1, looking like something from a science fiction movie. The Mach 1 is constructed from magnesium alloy and the entire headset weighs just 1oz. According to LightSpeed, the Mach 1 is “lighter than your car keys yet provides the noise canceling performance of a full size headset.

Tiny, digital speakers produce rich, full sound and the featherweight boom contours to your face for easy communications.” On one side of your head, the combined earpiece and microphone is similar to a handsfree mobile phone unit. It is connected to a second earpiece (by wires) and both earpieces are finished in a replaceable blue foam which pushes into your ear rather than sitting on the outside. It’s a bit like wearing earplugs and the Mach 1 is claimed to have a Noise Reduction Rating of 29db which puts it ahead of many GA favourites such as David Clark’s best-selling H10-30 noise attenuating headset (which has a rating of 24db). Whether you can get on with objects sitting inside your ear is a personal thing, but the lack of headband and ear cups is appealing, as is the light weight. Other features include the ability to plug in a CD or other music playing device, and a mobile phone.

Price of the Mach 1 is $525 (about £290). Web: www. lightspeedaviation.com A more conventional aviation headset equipped with Bluetooth has just been launched by Peltor called, appropriately enough, the Bluetooth Headset. It looks just like a normal headset but has no wires to plug in. Instead, it requires a Bluetooth adaptor which is specific to the radio manufacturer. The Headset can transmit and receive up to 50ft away from the adaptor. Web: www.peltor.com

OTHER PRODUCT NEWS IN BRIEF

GLASS FOR KITPLANES
Glass cockpits are all the rage in new aircraft and several systems are being launched for kitplanes including one from Pesches Variometer. The German company’s VP-EFIS system has a 10in diameter TFT display showing all the usual primary flight instruments as well as having an integrated GPS system with a moving map. Pesches says it makes warnings clear by projecting the actual heading and altitude of the aircraft and reporting obstacles or restricted airspace on that particular heading. Web: www.peschgesvariometer.de

NOT SUCH A DRAG
LOADING an aircraft so that the centre of gravity is slightly aft (rearwards) is said to give a more effi cient cruise because less elevator trim is used, thus reducing drag. How do you do that though? Momentum Interactive’s 'Weight and Balance Visualizer' is software available for download from their website that offers quick and simple load calculations with lots of visual reminders and warnings. The basic program costs $24.99 and $9.99 for additional aircraft modules. There’s a demo version on Momentum’s website: www.momentum-i.com

WORLD DIRECTORY OF LEISURE AVIATION
The 2005-2006 edition of World Directory of Leisure Aviation has just been published, price £5.95 from Borders bookshops, newsagents or online from www.widola.com.
This enlarged edition has specifi cations of over 1500 aircraft including photos, descriptions and a mass of technical data of a variety of hang-gliders, paragliders, microlights, ultralights, homebuilts, paraplanes, para-motors, ultralight gliders, gyros, helicopters, and certified light aircraft. The Directory — updated annually — includes a guide to engines and accessories for lightweight recreational aircraft, a calendar of international events, and contact details for a number of national and international sporting bodies.

DON’T BE DURR-TY
Stubborn stains on your aircraft? Get ‘em off with Sporty’s Airplane Cleaning Kit, price $54.95 plus P&P. Produced by airliner cleaning specialists Arrow Magnolia, Sportys says the chemicals used are safe to use on any aircraft finish, metal or composite. The kit contains three types of concentrated solutions: Carbon-X stain remover tackles grease, fuel stains or exhaust deposits. Fleet Wash makes easy work of washing and rinsing, and the Poly-Glide Polish protects the exterior and is even claimed to reduce drag. Web: www.sportys.com