Story ID: 015
Hands-on: Flying with Lightspeed’s Delta Zulu Headset
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Lightspeed aims to usher in a new era of sensor-equipped headsets to make flying safer. 
Word Count: 501
Lightspeed unveiled its newest pilot headset, the Delta Zulu, in September 2022, and since then I was able to test it in a typical piston airplane and in a single-engine turboprop. The Delta Zulu is similar in size and configuration to Lightspeed’s Zulu 3 but adds more active-noise canceling (ANR) technology and a unique audio equalization system as well as a carbon monoxide sensor.

For comparison purposes during these flights, I tried the Delta Zulu and a Bose A20 ANR headset. It is admittedly a somewhat subjective test, but I found the Delta Zulu to be quite comfortable and with excellent noise-canceling. Either headset does a great job of canceling noise, but the added features of the Delta Zulu might make it a more attractive purchase for some pilots.

This iteration of the Delta Zulu includes the first of what might be multiple sensors that add capabilities and make the headset a platform rather than just something that enhances hearing in noisy cockpits. Lightspeed’s Kanari “smart alert technology” sensor measures carbon monoxide levels in the wearer’s vicinity. The headset’s audible alerts warn when it detects CO above caution and critical levels. Pilots can also view CO levels and history on the Lightspeed app.

With the HearingEQity audio equalization system, pilots can run a 12-frequency hearing test while wearing the Delta Zulu headset connected via Bluetooth to the app. Once completed, the audio equalization system sets the hearing level in each ear cup “to create your individual hearing profile to compensate for any hearing variations between ears,” according to Lightspeed.

I flew with the Delta Zulu headset on two flights, one in a Cessna 172 and another in a Daher Kodiak 900 single-engine turboprop. On both flights, I swapped between the Lightspeed and a Bose A20 ANR headset to try to compare them. As mentioned, I wasn’t able to perceive a distinct difference in hearing quality. ATC communications were clear with both. The Lightspeed headset did feel like it had less clamping pressure on my head, and I liked the way it easily accommodated my eyeglasses. The Delta Zulu is priced at $1,099, $200 more than the Zulu 3.

While some potential buyers might opt for a Bose headset because their flight operation (generally Part 121 airlines) require that pilots use headsets manufactured to a technical standard order (TSO), Lightspeed points out that such approval is not an FAA requirement.

According to the company, “All Lightspeed headsets are tested to FCC and CE certifications, internal environmental standards, Apple MFi program standards (if required), and meet performance requirements of the FAA to be used in any civil aircraft. A Lightspeed headset will perform exactly the same as any TSO-certified headset in emergency situations. For example, if the batteries die during flight, there will still be uninterrupted communication (fail-safe mode).”
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