On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 20:36:01 -0500, Neil Bratney
wrote:

Hello all,

I'm getting set for my second solo cross country in training for my PP.
Looking at my headset, my Lightspeed 30-3G has a port on the ANR box
where I can attach a portable CD player for music. The headset is
supposed to automatically mute the music when comm comes in from the radio.

This sounds like a good idea to enhance my long distance flying
experience, but I'm just concerned that I'm going to miss important ATC
instructions. Or worse, that Omaha Approach is going to get an earful
of Foo Fighters or Pearl Jam when I transmit out to them!

So does anyone have experience with headsets like this? Do they work as
well as advertised? Any tips?

Thanks a ton,
Neil Bratney


I got my PPL last summer and have around 100 hours so this is coming
from a low-time pilot. Also, I don't mean to present this in an "I'm
right, this is the only way it can work" manner.

That being said, I cannot imagine any circumstance that I would feel
comfortable interjecting music into my brain while I'm flying. I
require 100% of my available thought processing capability to be
allocated to insuring that the flight is being conducted properly and
safely. I remember when the first Walkman type radios came out I got
one and sat down to read a book. I read the same page over and over
again and it didn't compute. I actually had to learn how to read with
this music being injected directly into my brain. I read all the time
now with headphones on but I will not fly with music. Perhaps someday
I will.

Two things that always amaze me (and make me wonder if my brain is
shortchanging me) are student pilots listening to music and student
pilots snapping photos on their cross country flights, especially
final approach photos. I recommend saving that stuff until you're
old, bold pilots. Fly the plane! Just my $.02.

Rich Russell