EMB 145 Noise Question...

[thisguy]

Im close to finishing training in the EMB 145 and i was trying to get an idea how noisy it is in the jungle Jet. I used the telex 5x5 with a custom earmold modification for both ears when flying the D328jet and fell in love with it, but im told the emb is much worse for noise. So any of u that fly the emb use the little telex?...or do i need to dust off the old green monster better known as the David Clark???

 

[MJG]

What ? Can you repeat your question, I couldn't hear you. Yes it's very loud above 250 kts. I've seen some guys wearing that setup. They seemed to be happy with it despite the noise.

 

[Standby 1]

Try your telex and see how it works for you....if it's too loud for you, we keep DCs in all aircraft so you can try both during a flight (I'm assuming you're starting with XJT since you mentioned 145s...sorry if I made the wrong assumption).

I fly with people wearing all sorts of different headsets. A few have the Bose, some have the telex with the earpieces, lots use the a/c headsets (DC) with everything else in between. I use a lightweight telex -- I think it's the 850 or something like that. Works fine. The wind noise is pretty loud, in my opinion, but the worst is when you're flying with someone who doesn't shut off their hot mic and then they're picking up the windnoise and you get to hear it. Arghhhhh.

Put in a search on headsets on this board (regionals)...you'll see lots of opinions on cutting down the wind noise in the emb.

 

[Paul R. Smith]

Im close to finishing training in the EMB 145 and i was trying to get an idea how noisy it is in the jungle Jet. I used the telex 5x5 with a custom earmold modification for both ears when flying the D328jet and fell in love with it, but im told the emb is much worse for noise. So any of u that fly the emb use the little telex?...or do i need to dust off the old green monster better known as the David Clark???

I'm flying this month with a guy who uses the earpiece and he loves it so I guess you should have no problem. But if it sux bad enough we got a bunch of DCs in the plane you could use in a pinch. But yeah it gets noisy above 200 or so. But when your flying into CLE you can whisper because it gets real quiet when your flying around at 170 kias all day.

 

[Best on a Camel]

I use the david clark. Noisy flight deck.

 

[EagleRJ]

Lots of guys get the molded earpieces when they're in training, since they're "jet pilots" now. Once they are on the line, their Dave Clarks are back on. Very noisy cockpit, due mostly to the fact that it's a Brasilia cockpit going 200 knots faster than it was designed to.

 

[Rudder120]

Telex 5x5

I use the 5x5's w/ earmolds in the ERJs. I have for a year now and love it. Mostly for comfort, but its still somewhat noisey. Comparable to a standard DC. You'll need to adjust the gain for the mic as low as possible. Otherwise the mic will pickup all the excess wind noise. Some pilots buy an adapter and volume controller from Radio Shack, but I don't think its necessary. Also, with any headset in the ERJ, turn off the hot mic switch when your not talking to the other pilot. That helps alot. I don't think you'll have a problem. Hope this helps. Later!

 

[labbats]

Everyone I've talked to who wears them, does so for comfort, not noise. I personally don't think it's that noisy.
I held off buying anything until I had a month on the line. Turns out I didn't need new headphones/shoes/sunglasses/etc.

 

[inthepool]

I use the Telex 850, with some earplugs underneath. Works like a charm, and beats wearing the headclamps on a 16 hour duty day

 

[Hovernut]

The wind noise is pretty loud, in my opinion, but the worst is when you're flying with someone who doesn't shut off their hot mic and then they're picking up the windnoise and you get to hear it. Arghhhhh.

That's gotta be one of my biggest pet peeves! I've found no amount of hinting around does any good with the guys who love to keep their mic open. I find I just have to turn down the IC volume when out of critical phases of flight to keep from going crazy!

 

[rattler]

Don't spend any money untill you spend at least a month in the jet. 90% of the pilots use the company issued DC's.

 

[Captain X]

Wore the DCs for the first 3 years....mostly on the 120....and a few months on the 145. Then I bought myself the 5X5 with custom earmolds and have never gone back....in my opinion they are just as quiet as the DCs (when gain and DAP is adjusted correctly).

FYI, the reason why the 145 is loud deals with the shape of the front of the airplane and the formation of a transsonic wave basically at 12'oclock high right above your noggin.

 

[172driver]

That's gotta be one of my biggest pet peeves! I've found no amount of hinting around does any good with the guys who love to keep their mic open. I find I just have to turn down the IC volume when out of critical phases of flight to keep from going crazy!

I especially enjoy hearing them blowing their nose, sneezing, and eating lunch with the mic hot. I guess that's the problem with owning a quiet headset...you pick it all up.

These guys with the Telexes have so much white noise bouncing around in their skulls that they are completely unaware of the noise they're making...very irritating. I just turn the i/c off and nod my head once in a while when I see their lips moving.

 

[rattler]

I especially enjoy hearing them blowing their nose, sneezing, and eating lunch with the mic hot. I guess that's the problem with owning a quiet headset...you pick it all up.

These guys with the Telexes have so much white noise bouncing around in their skulls that they are completely unaware of the noise they're making...very irritating. I just turn the i/c off and nod my head once in a while when I see their lips moving.

That is very true! Every time I see a guy whip out his Telex I know I'm in for a noisy ride. But to his defense, he can't hear a thing!

 

[FlyChicaga]

I use the Telex ANR 500, and swear by it. Very light, comfortable, and quiet. Got the mic condom so it doesn't pick up much background noise at all. When I turn off my hot mic you can hardly tell it's off. Plus I get to look cool like a jet pilot since it's not huge like the DCs...

 

[EagleRJ]

FYI, the reason why the 145 is loud deals with the shape of the front of the airplane and the formation of a transsonic wave basically at 12'oclock high right above your noggin.

I don't think there is transsonic anything associated with the 145. The slipstream going over the windshield wipers has to be a large part of the noise. The airflow over the DV window frames has to play a part too.

 

[MJG]

But when your flying into CLE you can whisper because it gets real quiet when your flying around at 170 kias all day.

TRUE DAT !!

Here's something I've started doing recently. On these long flights where you're up at cruise for a long time, I've started ditching the DC's once were all set up in cruise and just throwing in a pair of earplugs, using the handmike for ATC and it has helped with the fatigue of wearing DC's all day long. Gives you a nice break from that "head in a vice feeling".

 

[Instigator]

That's gotta be one of my biggest pet peeves! I've found no amount of hinting around does any good with the guys who love to keep their mic open. I find I just have to turn down the IC volume when out of critical phases of flight to keep from going crazy!

These guys with the Telexes have so much white noise bouncing around in their skulls that they are completely unaware of the noise they're making...very irritating. I just turn the i/c off and nod my head once in a while when I see their lips moving.

I fly with people wearing all sorts of different headsets. A few have the Bose, some have the telex with the earpieces, lots use the a/c headsets (DC) with everything else in between. I use a lightweight telex -- I think it's the 850 or something like that. Works fine. The wind noise is pretty loud, in my opinion, but the worst is when you're flying with someone who doesn't shut off their hot mic and then they're picking up the windnoise and you get to hear it. Arghhhhh.

My solution is to simply say "Would you please turn your mike off? Thanks." Works every time.

 

[Captain X]

I just turn the i/c off and nod my head once in a while when I see their lips moving.

Dammit! So that's why all my FO's are always agreeing with my opinions! And all this time I thought I was just right all the time.

 

[Captain X]

I don't think there is transsonic anything associated with the 145. The slipstream going over the windshield wipers has to be a large part of the noise. The airflow over the DV window frames has to play a part too.

Info came straight from an Embraer Rep in the crew lounge....

They were there discussing multiple things and one of the most common questions was about "increased insulation/soundproofing," "thicker windshields," etc....

You are correct in stating that the wipers create some "turbulence" and noise associated with that, but the "roar" that we hear is due to the barrier.

 

[scotts]

Im close to finishing training in the EMB 145 and i was trying to get an idea how noisy it is in the jungle Jet. I used the telex 5x5 with a custom earmold modification for both ears when flying the D328jet and fell in love with it, but im told the emb is much worse for noise. So any of u that fly the emb use the little telex?...or do i need to dust off the old green monster better known as the David Clark???

Do like some here have said and spend a month or so using the DC,s to see if that is good enough for you.

After that, you need to ask yourself how important your hearing is to you.

I don't know what your background is but you obviously have been flying for a few years in different cockpits. Here's my take.

After flying since 1980, CFI since 1987, UH-60's since 1990, and EMB145's since 2001, I have developed Tinitus in both ears. It's not bad, I can only hear the white noise if it's really quiet around me. But, it's there, and I'm concerned about protecting the hearing that I have left. I've used a few different types of headsets in my quest to find the most quiet one for me. When wearing the DC, the noise is tolerable. I tried the Telex 850 anr and the 500 anr, and they sound about like the DC as far as noise level. I even tried the earplugs under the 850 and yes, it was very quiet but it was not enjoyable at all. The sound was muffled and I couldn't see me using this combination day in and day out. BTW, in the UH60 I used earplugs under my helmet. It seemed quiet at the time (that **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed apu was louder than the aircraft! It's the same one in the ERJ). Anyway, I'm now convinced that the only way to really get quiet (at cruise >250 kts.) is to use a full headset with ANR. I bought a Telex 50-D and will get to use it for the first time this Monday. I know that the wind noise will still be there, but hopefully it will be quieter than without the ANR.

When all is said and done, I want to be able to hear my future grandkids laughing and not wear a hearing aid.

FWIW...

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

I've been wearing a Telex 750 for the past five years. Above 250 knots I put in ear plugs and below I take them out (I actually prefer to hear what the airplane is doing).

When I cummute in the JS I wear the DCs and absolutly hate them. They let in more noise around the edges than do the earplugs and they just flat out hurt. Also, I tried the 5x5s and thought they were quieter than DCs also but I could just not get used to the way they sounded. It seemed as though I was talking through a PVC pipe.

 

[thisguy]

Great input folks. Thx for a good thread!

 

[SMOE]

I use an ANR DC with Oregon Aero pads. Its extremely comftorable and very quiet. The only time the hot mike is noisy is when I fly with a CA who is using the 5 x 5s...

 

[Checkmy6]

My FlightCom Denali ANR's worked wonders in the 1900, I can imagine the ERJ is any louder, IOE next month, we'll see.