Airman 8+ requires no batteries for ANR – reducing waste and operating costs – yet it achieves noise reduction performance approaching that of leading battery-powered ANR headsets for commercial and business aviation. Both the dual PJ and single XLR5 connector versions rely solely on the cockpit power supply to power the ANR. ANR helps to significantly reduce pilot fatigue and improve audio intelligibility for in-flight communications; Airman 8+ ANR is specifically tuned to reduce intrusive lower frequency wind noise in the cockpit. An acoustic limiter protects the user’s ears against sudden increases in sound level.
Besides the ANR, there have been plenty of other elements that have impressed Sanchez. “The ear cups on the Airman 8+ fit perfectly on the head which makes it comfortable. And then there was the extra nice touch of the additional clip for the cable which other headsets don’t have, and it works perfectly. It keeps the cable out of the way so it doesn’t interfere with my functions in the cockpit.”
With the role that communications play in the air, it will always be sound quality that is the most important element. “I think the sound quality is very good – when you activate the active noise reduction, it’s crystal clear,” states Sanchez. “Of course, this all depends on the type of aircraft and the type of equipment that the aircraft has because not all intercoms are the same, neither are the radios or transmitters. But for the aircraft I’ve tried, it’s been crystal clear on most of them.”
The Airman 8+ has impressed Sanchez enough to recommend the headset to the 445,000 VASAviation followers. Additionally, he has also given it his personal recommendation to friends and colleagues. “I have already recommended it to other pilots. We’re using two of them in the cockpit; one of them is mine, I unplug it and take it with me, and the other is always in the cockpit with my captain for him to use. I have also recommended it to a good friend who is now doing air ambulance flights on a twin-engine prop.”
