Bose QC2 w/ Ufly Mic - earbuds now required by FAA

[Weasil]

Bose QC2/UflyMike Combination-TSO Status Alert​

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]

Our CMO has stated that the Bose QC2 headset/UFlyMike combination is not TSO’d for aviation use. This is due to the fact that the headset portion will fail completely when the battery fails. There is NO passive voice capability. While the Uflymike boom mike is in fact TSOd, but the Bose QC2 is not.​

In order for this combination to meet TSO requirements, the Bose QC2 Headset/UFlyMike combination must be used in conjunction with the TSO’d earbuds. Any noise attenuating headset must have manual reversion capability if the battery fails. Supplementing the Bose QC2 with the earbuds meets this requirement per the ACO and MIDO.

Looks like you have to now buy earbuds from Uflymic if you want to keep using this headset. Does anyone know if you can use the earbuds and the mic without the Qc2 headset or do you have to basically have two headsets on now to use this thing?
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[kf4amu]

Just turn on the freakin speaker!

 

[belchfire]

Why don't you cheap fracks just buy some real honest to God aviation headsets in the first place?

Geeze...

 

[Flybywire44]

Oh my batteries died... You've got 1!

belchfire this is a regional forum you trust fund baby!

 

[BigLebowski]

I don't use this headset but have a general question...

Can you just plug in your earbuds for something like your ipod and wear those under the headset or do you have to buy the buds from UFM?

Just ranting now...this is rediculous. The majority of headsets that pilots wear are not TSO approved. Just a few examples are BoseX, Clarity Aloft...I was amazed at how few headsets actually meet TSO approval.

 

[Headwind]

Why don't you cheap fracks just buy some real honest to God aviation headsets in the first place?

Geeze...

For me it has nothing to do with being cheap, I like them. Don't want to use anything else. They work great in the CJ-1 and I don't like Bose 10's. I also have Telex 750's and David Clark's.

 

[CheeseDick]

I don't use this headset but have a general question...

Can you just plug in your earbuds for something like your ipod and wear those under the headset or do you have to buy the buds from UFM?

Just ranting now...this is rediculous. The majority of headsets that pilots wear are not TSO approved. Just a few examples are BoseX, Clarity Aloft...I was amazed at how few headsets actually meet TSO approval.

bose x aviation headset is TSO'd C-57a & C-58a.

You'd only have spent $200 or so more on the bose x after you count the quiet comfort 2, the uflymike and the earbuds...Not to mention the qc2 eats batteries, so that'll eat up the money saved. And the bose warranty on their aviation headset is 5 years.

i think southwest won't let you use the qc2 due to the non TSO'd nature of the qc2 headset.

 

[mynameisjim]

You'd only have spent $200 or so more on the bose x after you count the quiet comfort 2, the uflymike and the earbuds...Not to mention the qc2 eats batteries, so that'll eat up the money saved. And the bose warranty on their aviation headset is 5 years.

My QC2's were $300 and the uflymike was $200. The Bose X is listed at $995.

 

[SSDD]

So has any other POI had anything to say about this,or is it just Skywest's?

 

[BigLebowski]

k...so can you just plug your regular earbuds (ipod ones) into the qc2 for the backup...or do you have to buy the ones sold by uflymike?

 

[PBRstreetgang]

k...so can you just plug your regular earbuds (ipod ones) into the qc2 for the backup...or do you have to buy the ones sold by uflymike?

Mikes! Yikes

 

[CFI2766]

k...so can you just plug your regular earbuds (ipod ones) into the qc2 for the backup...or do you have to buy the ones sold by uflymike?

I'm too lazy to post the actual TSO, but yes, I believe that you can use any earbuds that will fit into the outlet on the Uflymike, as long as they are powered by the aircraft system, and not by their own power source.

I bought the buds from uflymike and they appear to be nothing more than simple, in-ear speakers. They are certainly not TSO'd by themselves. The earbuds are the cheapest part of the setup; just buy the ones from Uflymike to make sure of fit and compatibility. Though I did buy the buds, I've used them exactly once to make sure that they would work should a Fed decide to inhabit my jumpseat. In a pinch, I would simply turn the speaker on to hear the radios if my headset went out.

In this setup, the QC2 is simply a headband to hold the mike and earbuds: thus, no TSO is required for the QC2.

I've used both the Bose Aviation X and the Uflymike setup, and I love the uflymike setup. It's much lighter and more comfortable than the X. The light blinks on the headset when the battery is within a few hours (5?) of going out, so there is not much of a chance of the headset failing on you when you don't expect it to. I picked up a QC2 from Ebay for $150; there is no reason to buy new QC2s.

And just in case someone decides to question me on this, I printed out the TSO and keep it in my flight kit. Right next to my aircraft decorating collection and supplies.

 

[asapilot]

Some clarification

Guys, let me give you a little clarification on this...

First, the CRJ was not certified with headsets, so you can use any headset you want while flying it, even those sweet Radio Shack units you guys have at SkyWest.

Second, you are not in violation if you use the QC2s. The violation occurs if you lose continuous communication with ATC. This is possible with the QC2 because if the battery dies, you lose all audio. However, if they're functioning properly, no violation has occurred. This is true of any headset that functions this way, not just the QC2.

So, what are your options?

1) Buy the earbuds so you have backup in the event of battery failure.

2) Get a different headset.

3) Turn the speaker on. You don't have to crank it, just have it on enough so you'd hear if something wasn't coming through your headset.

 

[DoinTime]

Guys, let me give you a little clarification on this...

First, the CRJ was not certified with headsets, so you can use any headset you want while flying it, even those sweet Radio Shack units you guys have at SkyWest.

Second, you are not in violation if you use the QC2s. The violation occurs if you lose continuous communication with ATC. This is possible with the QC2 because if the battery dies, you lose all audio. However, if they're functioning properly, no violation has occurred. This is true of any headset that functions this way, not just the QC2.

So, what are your options?

1) Buy the earbuds so you have backup in the event of battery failure.

2) Get a different headset.

3) Turn the speaker on. You don't have to crank it, just have it on enough so you'd hear if something wasn't coming through your headset.

Its not an issue of aircraft certification. Its an issue of the individual carriers ops specs. If the carriers ops spec requires a TSO'd headset then that is whats required. There is no second guessing that in front of a fed. The assertion of there only being a violation if the non-TSO'd headset fails is completely false too.

Though I did buy the buds, I've used them exactly once to make sure that they would work should a Fed decide to inhabit my jumpseat.

Thats a great compliance culture you have there. Do you only comply with other requirements when someone is looking over your shoulder?

 

[asapilot]

Its not an issue of aircraft certification. Its an issue of the individual carriers ops specs. If the carriers ops spec requires a TSO'd headset then that is whats required. There is no second guessing that in front of a fed. The assertion of there only being a violation if the non-TSO'd headset fails is completely false too.

What you say is correct, but is not exactly the whole issue here.

First, there is no specific regulation that requires TSO'd equipment be used. Obviously, OpSpecs are regulatory and must be complied with. Were there a requirement in the OpSpec for the use of TSO'd headsets, not using them would be a violation.

Aircraft can be certified with specific headsets. Were those headsets TSO'd, then a TSO'd headset would be required for that aircraft's operation.

The CRJ was not certified with a headset. Additionaly, SkyWest's OpSpecs do not require TSO'd headsets. The last place that could make it regulatory is the carrier's approved Operations Manual. Currently, SkyWest's FOM does not require TSO'd headsets to be used.

The regulatory issue then becomes completely seperate from the TSO issue. The issue is can you maintain two-way communications in the event of battery failure. Technically, you'd only be out of compliance during the time from the battery failure until you push the speaker button, but someone could get picky about that.