The following electrical connectors are commonly used in aviation headsets:[1]
The XLR, LEMO and Fischer plugs are able to supply power for active noise cancellation.[5]
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues Technical Standard Orders (TSOs) regarding equipment used on civil aircraft. The TSO for aviation headsets is C139, which includes requirements to withstand extreme heat and cold, decompression, and electromagnetic interference.[14] Some commercial airlines require the use of TSO-compliant headsets, as part of their operations manual.[15] This is a choice by the airline, not an FAA requirement.[16]
In Europe, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also issues TSOs. The TSO for aviation headsets is ETSO-C139. Again, this is not mandatory[17][18] but may be required by an airline.