"Smart" headphones and UFlyMike products

Headphones have changed and many modern headphones have become "smart".  Today's headphones include many new features including pass through, touch control, and automatic battery-life and sound protection.

When using modern headphones with our products in the cockpit, it is absolutely necessary to understand how the headphones function, how to use these new features, and how to enable and disable them as needed.  We strongly suggest familiarizing yourself with all of the features of the headphones before your first flight.

BOSE QuietComfort 45 & QC Users

Automatic Volume Adjustment:

There is a feature in the new QCs that automatically adjusts the incoming audio volume to a low volume when an external device is plugged in.  Here is a workaround to keep this from happening whenever you connect/disconnect the UFlyMike.  Initial setup:

1. Turn down the aircraft radio and intercom volume.
2. Turn the left and right audio volume on the Harmony Aviation Controller to max.
3. Plug in the UFlyMike, then power on the headphones.
4. On the back of the right ear cup, press the "+" button until you hear a double "beep" sound.
5. Adjust the radio and intercom volume to desired level.

To get the QC to "remember" your volume setting and not automatically adjust, do the following simple trick:

• Make sure the headphone is powered off before connecting/disconnecting the UFlyMike from the QC45.  That's it.

Echo Issue:

There is a known issue with the headphone creating a slight echo effect with aircraft sidetone (hearing yourself speak).  While there is no way to completely eliminate the issue, the presence of the echo increases exponentially when the headphone volume is at a low level.  Follow the steps above to reduce the echo.

Other Features:

The QC45 includes several other features which can be controlled directly by the headphone or enabled/disabled with the "Bose Music" app.  Again, we strongly suggest familiarizing yourself with all of the features of the headphones before your first flight.

SONY WH-1000XM5 Users

Touch Sensor Control Panel:

The outside of the right ear-cup acts as a touch panel to control many different settings of the headphones, some of which can be helpful in the aircraft.  However, because of the potential for accidental input, you must be familiar the gestures and their functions before flight.  The touch panel can also be turned off entirely using the "Sony Headphones Connect" app.  

Speak-to-Chat:

This feature turns off all incoming audio and replaces it with the sound of your surroundings when your voice is heard (so you can talk with people around you without removing your headphones).  While this does not affect your outbound transmission, we recommend turning this feature off unless needed.  You can enable/disable this feature in two ways:

1. If the Touch Sensor Control Panel is enabled, simply hold two fingers against the right ear-cup.  A voice prompt will confirm the status change.
2. You can turn the setting on/off in the "Sony Headphones Connect" app.

Other Features:

The XM5 includes several other features which can be controlled directly by the headphone or enabled/disabled with the "Sony Headphones Connect" app.  Again, we strongly suggest familiarizing yourself with all of the features of the headphones before your first flight.