David Clark 13.4s and the Mighty Beech

[Cardinal]

Anybody used straight Dave Clark H10-13.4s (non-ANR) in the 1900? Will I be headed for deafness or should I scrounge and swap for some H10-60s?

 

[shamrock]

I used a 13.4 in the 1900 (as did most everyone I flew with) for a year and a half without any trouble. That being said, I would have bought the ANR version if I knew I would be on the 1900 for a while and more importantly, if I had the money. (News flash! There's not a lot of money in 1900 flying.) After 6 or 7 hours I would be pushing the earcups to my head to try to kill some of the noise, but up until that point I didn't have too many complaints.

Bottom line, If I could afford ANR then I would do it but it's not an absolute necessity. Just be careful about trying ANR because you'll have a hard time going back if you do.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

This thread reminds me of the David Clark ad in AOPA and Flying. The 1900 F.O. who would use nothing more then his 13.4's in the 1900. Anyways, can't help you on the 1900 cause its alot louder then the Be90 but I used my 13.4's in the BE90 and never had a problem.

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks shamrock. Actually that ad in Flying kinda sparked my question, it paints the aircraft as a noisy beast. I'm thinking an F27 or something would really set the standard. Anyway, I'll try em out, thanks.

 

[AirDoc]

Used to fly the Jet Stream with standard D/C (non-ANR) headsets, later switched to ANR. BIG difference, probably stopped the hearing loss entirely.

Now in the EMB-145, I use good foam ear plugs in combination with the ANRs.

I'm trying to save my hearing. After having flown a quiet jet, not the -145 it's hard to appreciate just how loud turboprops are.

 

[becket]

I used 13.4s in the beech for 2.5 years. By themselves, I didn't think they were sufficient, as I don't think any, even ANR, headsets are suffiecient in that noisy SOB. I used foam earplugs as well as my DC 13.4 and I thought it worked great. That way, when you shut down and do a walk around a noisy ramp, you already have ear plugs in.

 

[ClassG]

The advice to wear earplugs under your 13.4's is good - uncomfortable, but good. It'll save your hearing in the long run. I wore 13.4 for about 2500 hours in the Bzatch, sometime with ear plugs, sometime without. Problem is, Disney radio just doesn't sound the same with those plugs in. Also, it's kind of hard to keep up with all voices trying to talk to you at once (ATC, your partner, the other pilots on company freq who always want to tell you a joke when you're on short final, etc.)

If I went back and did it all over, I'd spring for the ANRs. I got to borrow a few here and there over the those years in the 1900 and was hugely impressed with the "comfort" you get without having to turn the speaker volume in your set up all the way.

Even got to wear the Bose set one day, and even though they're WAY too expensive, they almost seemed worth the $950.

Good Luck.

 

[AK737FO]

Say Again?

I wore the 10-20's for many years in the B99, B1900 and the ear killing CV-580. They worked well and stayed comfy even on the long days.
I tried a friends 13.4's for a few days. Didn't like them at all. They were a lot louder than the 10-20's. They are just to light weight and don't seal well around the ears - especially with sun glasses on.
I would go with noise cancelling if you can afford them. If not, then try the 10-20's.

 

[TurboS7]

Here I jumped on this thread thinking we were going to talk about the Mighty Twin Beech. DC's are all I ever used and twenty years later I can still hear fine.

 

[throttlejockey]

Only one plane I know that is louder than the 1900 - The Junkscream.

in the Junkscream I use the H10-13.4 Headsets with Howard Leight Ear plugs. Nothing Beats a set of Howard's (EAR's Suck).

Don't spend any extra money on ANR unless you can get Daddy to pay for it. If you are a FO on the 1900 you can't afford to buy that fancy stuff.

Use what you have on hand and buy a box of Howard Leight ear plugs.

My $.02

Here is a direct link to the disposable earplugs website. The MAX plug and the Laser Lite plug are great:

http://216.120.94.37/cgi-bin/WebObjects/HLSite.woa/wa/page?key=disposable