Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store

The “next generation” aviation headset from Lightspeed pairs the manufacturer’s active noise reduction technology with industry-first safety and customization features, including carbon monoxide alerting credited with saving a test pilot’s life.

Lightspeed’s new Delta Zulu noise-canceling, Bluetooth headset boasts a host of features and new proprietary technology that puts it in a new class of headsets the company is calling, “safety wearables.”

The announcement of the high-tech headset also introduced Lightspeed’s newest safety and customization technologies that the company says have never been seen in an aviation headset.

The Delta Zulu features a built-in carbon monoxide sensor that keeps pilots and passengers aware of rising CO levels with audible warnings. These audible warnings can be customized when paired with the free Lightspeed app. Pilots can also visually check the CO sensor data and review the history in the app.

During the September 7 press conference, Lightspeed President and CEO Allan Schrader said that during beta testing, the Delta Zulu headset alerted a test pilot to high CO levels in his airplane, allowing the pilot to land the aircraft without incident.

Lightspeed also announced HearingEQity, a hearing test and audio equalization system that customizes the sound coming out of each speaker to compensate for hearing variations between ears. Schrader explained, “You take a hearing test, much like you would take if you went to an audiologist, but in this case you’re taking it in the quiet environment that is the headset itself…when you’re all done it will boost the frequencies where you have had some deficiencies.”

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman, who had the opportunity to test out the Delta Zulu headset, said, “Thanks to aging, too many rock concerts, and too many MU–2s and jets, I’ve got substantial high-frequency hearing loss. But the Delta Zulu tailors its sound for those deficiencies.” (See Hirschman’s full review below.)

The headset has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can power the headset for 30 hours at a time and includes an AA-battery power pack that keeps the headset running for an additional 15 to 20 hours. To save more battery life, the headset also features Lightspeed’s proprietary Auto Shutoff feature when the headset is not in use.

The headset can be connected directly to other devices for charging, data communications, and auxiliary audio using the provided UAC charging cord. Using the app, users can also record air traffic control and radio conversations, play back transmissions, and archive flight recording.

The Delta Zulu will cost $1,099 and come with a seven-year warranty. The company said it expects to start shipping the product in the second half of September. You can learn more about Delta Zulu on the company’s website.

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman flew with the Lightspeed Delta Zulu. Here are excerpts from his review to be published in an upcoming issue:

A key Delta Zulu feature is its proprietary “EQity” hearing test, which customizes the sound coming through the speakers for each user. The test is like a visit to an audiologist. The headset goes through a range of frequencies measuring how well you hear each one.

Thanks to aging, too many rock concerts, and too many MU—2s and jets, I’ve got substantial high-frequency hearing loss. But the Delta Zulu tailors its sound for those deficiencies.

I wore the Delta Zulu in an Aviat Husky A-1C, Beechcraft Bonanza A36, Extra 300L, and Van’s Aircraft RV–4.

The comfort was excellent in all cases, and the noise canceling was very good although all active noise reduction (ANR) headsets struggle to overcome the extreme noise and rapid pressure pulses of high-noise airplanes such as the Husky and Extra. The sound and especially the music quality were outstanding in quieter aircraft, particularly the Bonanza.

The Delta Zulu’s weight of nearly 15 ounces is slightly heavier than other high-end ANR headsets such as the Zulu 3 or Bose A20, but clamping pressure seems light, so it was comfortable during lengthy flights. The lithium-ion battery pack is heavier, too, although that’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make for the long battery life.

The Delta Zulu looks stylish with copper-colored metal accents. But I can’t help but chuckle when pilots talk about the “attractiveness” of certain headsets because, to me, big ears and headbands make all of us look slightly absurd. Let’s just embrace our ridiculousness and call it a day.

My gripes with the Delta Zulu are few and minor. The microphone and plug-in cord are on the left side only, and in some aircraft, those would be helpful to have on the right. Also, Delta Zulu uses a UAC charging cord, and for me that means carrying yet another cord on long flying trips (although Lightspeed has an option for USB-A or USB-C charging ports). It sure would be nice to have a common charging port for our phones, watches, iPads, and cameras.

Also, the many accessories that come with the Delta Zulu can be hard to cram into the sturdy carrying case that comes with it.