Bose has introduced its new ProFlight aviation headset designed for professional pilots flying airliners and corporate aircraft. The headset features a comfortable in-ear configuration and three user-selectable levels of active noise cancellation. The ProFlight also allows pilots to hear anyone on the flight deck, even if they are not connected to the intercom, without removing the headset or earpiece via a tap control for talk-through communication.
When compared to the popular Bose A20 model, the ProFlight has a different fundamental architecture and its headbanded in-ear design is meant for crewed aircraft that are typically pressurized and less noisy. The A20 has an around-ear design that makes it more suitable for louder aircraft such as non-pressurized single-engine models. According to Bose, the A20 delivers much greater noise reduction compared to the ProFlight, but the ProFlight is significantly smaller and lighter. The ProFlight is not intended to replace the A20.
The ProFlight is available worldwide and sold in the U.S. for $995.95. The headset is powered by two AA batteries that provide more than 45 hours of use without Bluetooth and at least 25 hours with Bluetooth on. Aircraft-powered variants of the headset are also available. More than 30 U.S. design and utility patents support the ProFlight and its on-head weight is listed at 4.9 ounces. The ProFlight is FAA TSO c139a and EASA E/TSO-C139a certified.