The choice of headset that befalls a pilot can be staggering. Let us help you choose the right one.
Pilot headsets almost universally use two telephone jack plugs, the larger of which is used to carry audio to both earphones, and the other of which carries the audio picked up by the microphone to the intercom and radio equipment in the aircraft.
The technical name for these plugs are TRS connectors which stands for tip, ring, sleeve. The larger one that bears the audio to the earphones is a standard quarter-inch or 6.35mm jack. One signal goes to each earphone in this case, with the third carrying the ground potential. Many headsets have a switch that allows the pilot to select mono or stereo operation.
The other is a 0.206-inch or 5.24mm jack. Again, this has a tip, a ring and a sleeve. In this case, one conductor carries the signal from the headset microphone; another is used for an optional push-to-talk control; and the third carries the ground potential.
It is important to note that headphones for military aircraft and helicopters often use a single connector with different dimensions. Still a jack, it has four conductors rather than three; it has a tip, two rings and a sleeve. These are designated U-174/U, according to Wikipedia. One signal carries the audio for both earphones; the second carries the microphone signal; the third is used for push-to-talk; and the fourth is used to carry the common ground.
There are also other proprietary standards used on aircraft such as the Ikarus C42, but these are uncommon. Generally, you should find that the type of headset you need is determined by whether you are a fixed-wing pilot or a helicopter pilot.
Armed with this useful knowledge, why not check out the other pages on this site and find the headset that is most suitable for you!