The results of the survey about aviation headsets costing less than $400 are in. The survey asked, is there an economical headset that feels good on the head, provides good audio quality, and holds up over time? The answer in this week's show.

Questions asked in reader and listener email
 
"Tiring of hearing "tally ho" and "no joy" on ATC [frequencies], my wife and I are on a quest to find the real word on this slang. I love that you always reference the docs --the AIM, the FARs, maybe a chart -- and say when your opinion is just your opinion, and I hope that you can help us!" David T-G

"I've noticed in the radio simulator, the books, and podcasts you say numeral 9 as the word "nine" instead of "niner". Is there a reason for this? While I've not yet heard controllers refer to numeral 3 as "tree" and 5 as "fife", it's been common practice for years to say the 9 as "niner" as in "Cessna seven niner quebec, Hanscom tower, cleared for takeoff runway two niner". I'm just curious in your experience the "niner" thing is overkill for private pilots." Andrew W.

These questions answered, plus one question I'll ask you: Your Question of the Week.

T-minus fife, four, tree, two, one, zero. Launch Radar Contact!

Show Notes:

No intro or music for this week's show. I'm rushing to get out the door to visit family for Thanksgiving and didn't have time to do a big production. Even without the bells and whistles, I think the show has the information you need. I'll add music and spruce up the show after the holidays.

Survey Responses (By Headset Model)
 
ASA HS-1 (Approx. $113)

Number of Responders: 4

Comfort: Great! 0; Just okay: 4; Unacceptable: 0
Clarity: Great! 1; Just Okay: 2; Unacceptable: 1
Durability: Great! 2; Just Okay: 2; Unacceptable: 0

Notable Comments: "I bought this headset for the backseat of my Warrior. With the mic plugged in it adds a lot of extra static noise no matter who is talking."

Gulf Coast Avionics ANR (Approx. $249)

Number of Responders: 2

Comfort: Great! 0; Just okay: 2; Unacceptable: 0
Clarity: Great! 0; Just Okay: 2; Unacceptable: 0
Durability: Great! 1; Just Okay: 1; Unacceptable: 0

Notable Comments: "Pretty comfortable for awhile but once I'm over 2 hours it starts to get heavy and uncomfortable." "This is my first headset which has been great for the money so it was excellent entry level set."

Faro G2 Passive (Approx. $170)

Number of Responders: 2

Comfort: Great! 1; Just okay: 1; Unacceptable: 0
Clarity: Great! 1; Just Okay: 1; Unacceptable: 0
Durability: Great! 2; Just Okay: 0; Unacceptable: 0

Notable Comments: "This was the headset I used during training. It is a excellent value, and performed well. " "These are probably the most comfortable passive, wired headsets you can get. The thick gel cushion makes all the difference. The gel flows around sunglasses temple pieces and never really feel like they are 'clamping'." "Very clear. You have dual volume control so you can turn the volume on the radio up and turn your own headset down in case your copilot has a different impedance on his set." "The construction is solid and the mic boom feels like it's going to last a long time even when you fiddle with it a lot. Faro offers an excellent warranty so you really don't have to worry about it if something does break."

Faro G2 ANR (Approx. $349)

Number of Responders: 4

Comfort: Great! 3; Just okay: 1; Unacceptable: 0
Clarity: Great! 3; Just Okay: 1; Unacceptable: 0