When I look back at my days, months, and years as a student pilot, I think about the many hurdles I had to clear on my way to becoming a certificated private pilot. They included the weekly challenges of carving out time and money for training and managing one-time expenses for training aids, study guides, and gear such as headsets.
Expensive Earwear
Ah, the headset. It is one of the items that can surprise students with its cost and leave them scrambling for more economical cockpit communications equipment, and wondering if they can truly afford this exclusive endeavor.
When taking my first lessons, I simply went without a headset and used the stylishly tapered hand-held microphone and built-in speaker to talk with air traffic controllers. In hindsight, I believe the resulting unpleasant cockpit environment combined with other factors to slow my progress toward certification.
This no-headset approach might seem ridiculous today, but it was fairly common decades ago, when many pilots regarded headsets more as luxuries than necessities. Much has changed since then, thank goodness, as pilots have come to appreciate and expect clear, crisp communications without hearing loss.
Active noise reduction (ANR) and other advancements have made headsets into must-have equipment. But they can still break the bank, especially for students and new pilots on budgets who are just starting out.
Price, Protection and Quality
There are many inexpensive models available, but purchasing one can feel risky because its performance might leave you wishing you had spent more for higher quality.
One set that has generated buzz lately is the Rugged Air RA200, which promises good performance for less than $100. This prospect seems amazing in a market where premium headsets routinely fetch more than $1,000.
Could the inexpensive model compete? The Aviation Consumer decided to find out.
Our review started well with an informal unboxing. The RA200 made a positive first impression. When I was a student, I would have been overjoyed to find a headset in this price range, even without adjusting for inflation. This model did not look or feel “cheap” but had a straightforward, form-follows-function appearance. It adjusted easily to accommodate my rather large head and fit snugly without squeezing.
I typically don my headset after starting the airplane and am accustomed to experiencing a sense of wonder every time I turn on the ANR function of my Lightspeed Zulu 3. Still, the Rugged set cut the noise appreciably when I put it on. Its performance during taxi was promising, but would it really keep the engine racket at bay during takeoff and climb?
Performance in the Field
I announced our departure, lined up on Runway 25 at Blairstown Airport (1N7) in New Jersey, and applied full power. Soon we were airborne, turning gently to the west and climbing to clear the Kittatinny Ridge that reaches 1,800 feet along the Pennsylvania border.
During this especially noisy phase of flight, the RA200 performed well. No, it did not match the sound-deadening capabilities of high-end ANR headsets, but certainly took the edge off of the engine’s roar at high power settings. I also think the demands on my attention during takeoff kept me from dwelling on background noise.
By the time I adjusted power for cruise and leveled off at 3,500 feet, the sound level was comfortable—not ANR-level comfort but better than low-priced headsets I have used in the past. Communications with other pilots and ATC were crisp and clear.
Ideal for Students and Schools
My instructor used to keep a ragtag collection of old, inexpensive headsets for students who forgot to bring theirs or did not own one. I used a number of them and can still recall their generally poor noise protection qualities.
After a few long flights I can say the RA200 is far better than those, mainly because they leave me without the overall sense of fatigue that can result from listening to the din of an aircraft engine for hours on end.
I would recommend the RA200 for students who want to control their training expenses. It could easily take you through basic and advanced instruction, and perhaps to your first job as a pilot, if that is your plan. Flight schools and aero clubs could benefit from keeping a few of these on hand for discovery flights and as spares.
For aspiring private pilots who intend to fly with family, friends and other passengers in their own aircraft some day, the RA200 is particularly attractive. It will help the new student keep training costs down and, when skills and budget warrant an upgrade, this set will make a good backup for the ANR headset you are likely to purchase.
To complete the aspirational arc, the RA200 makes a fine set to keep in the back seat of your own airplane so passengers never have to go without. When you finally acquire an aircraft, you will want to show it off. This headset’s performance will keep friends and family comfortable so they can truly enjoy the flight—as long as you brief them well and fly smoothly.