telex stratus 50-D

[larry]

Anyone used a Telex Stratus 50-D ANR headset?

 

[Aviator]

I’m currently using the predecessor to the Stratus, the ANR 1D’s. An excellent headset. Before I purchased these, I tried the BOSE X, Lightspeed 25’s, DC’s, Peltor Stratus etc. I found that the 1D had superior noise reduction to all to these. I talked to one of the engineers that designs headsets for Telex at the AOPA convention yesterday. The Stratus has 10db improved total ANR noise reduction over the 1D’s as well as other improvements such as battery life. They had an audio analyzer set at their booth to compare two headsets at the same time for noise reduction capability. A computer monitor shows a graph (one for each headset) depicting the range of human hearing. What I found interesting is that at 190hz, which is the frequency most important for reducing prop noise, the BOSE X’s had 39db noise reduction and the Stratus had 62db. A big difference. The downside is that they are expensive (about $700 discounted) and they currently are not TSO’d. However Telex did say that if enough people request the TSO, it would be possible to do this.

 

[avbug]

Why would anyone remotely care about a TSO for the headset?

 

[Aviator]

Isn't a TSO necessary in order for the headset to be used when flying under part 121?

 

[avbug]

There is no requirement under Part 121 for a headset to meet a particular TSO. A TSO is not an approval; it is a Technical Standard Order, and provides a set of criteria that certain equipment must meet.

Other equipment used under Part 121 must meet TSO requirements, such as transponders, traffic collision avoidance systems, etc.

You may be thinking of approval (authorization), which is different than meeting TSO. An item which meets TSO specs may or may not be approved for installation. However, a headset does not require approval.

A Technical Standard Order is issued by the Administrator and is a minimum performance standard for specified articles (used on civil aircraft. A TSO authorization is a little different, and may be what you were referring to: it is an FAA design and production approval issued to the manufacturer of an article which has been found to meet a specific TSO.

No person may identify an article with a TSO marking unless that person holds a TSO authorization and the article meets applicable TSO performance standards.

The Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) sets forth a basic standard in DO-160B, upon which Technical Standard Orders FAA TSO C-57A (headset and speakers) and 58A (microphones) are based on.

In order for a headset to be marked with a TSO number, it must meet those standards (of the TSO). This is not an approval however, and if the manufacturer elects not to mark the headset with the TSO number, then it doesn't need to meet that standard. If the manufacturer does elect to have the product marked, it must not only meet the standard, but get a TSO authorization from the FAA.

If you're going to start flying 121, then consider investing in a lightweight headset, such as a Plantronics T50, or Telex Airman. Use your old headvise until you get into a quieter airplane. The opportunities to fly loud airplanes under 121 are getting fewer and fewer, and before long, you'll be in a fairly quiet cockpit. When you get there, you won't want something that weighs more than a few ounces, or squeezes your head like a criminal lemon.

If you already have a headset, and money is an issue (if you're flying an airplane that requires noise attenuation, then it's a given that money is an issue...you're in aviation, right?), invest in a set of Oregon Aero earpads and a new headpad, and make do with what you already have. It's a lot less expensive, every bit as good, and chances are that whatever you're using now already has a TSO approval and number on it. Fly safe!

 

[Aviator]

Thanks for the info Avbug. As usual another informative post from you. Speaking of lightweight headsets. Telex mentioned that the Airman 850 will be released in about another month. It will be an improved version of the popular Airman 750.