Popular Searches: When buying an aviation headset, you may have the option to choose your plug type. Your aircraft will only accept one type, so it's important to order the correct one. Some manufacturers offer only fixed-wing or helicopter versions; others offer a wider selection.
Here are the most common plug types:
Dual GA Plugs
GA (General Aviation) plugs are the most common plugs found on fixed-wing aircraft. There are two plugs of slightly different sizes: the PJ-055 (6.35mm / 0.25") for earphones, and the PJ-068 (5.25mm / 0.206") for the microphone.
U174 (Helicopter / NATO) Plug
The U174 plug — also called the Heli or NATO plug — is used on helicopters. It combines earphone and microphone into a single connector that is shorter and wider than GA plugs. Helicopter headsets also typically use a coiled cord rather than a straight cord.
LEMO (6-Pin Panel Powered) Plug
LEMO plugs feature a single connector with 6 pins and draw power directly from the aircraft panel — no batteries required for ANR or Bluetooth functions. You may see them labelled as LEMO, panel-powered, or Bose plugs. They are found in both newer fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
XLR (5-Pin Airbus) Plug
XLR plugs are similar to LEMO plugs but have 5 pins instead of 6. They are typically found in commercial aircraft and also draw power directly from the aircraft panel.
A Note on Bluetooth and ANR
Headsets with Bluetooth or Active Noise Reduction (ANR) require extra power for those features:
- GA and U174 headsets — powered by batteries.
- LEMO and XLR headsets — powered directly from the aircraft panel, eliminating the need for batteries.
Adapters
Need to use a headset with a different plug type? We stock a range of adapter cables. Browse headset adapters here.
