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Bose Aviation Headsets: Why TSO Certification Matters

Every feature in each Bose Aviation headset has been carefully considered, engineered and refined to provide the greatest possible benefit to the pilot who wears it. Meeting and exceeding the requirements of a TSO (Technical Standard Order) is one such feature.

What is TSO certification?

Far more than just a regulatory box to check – TSO certification is an important assurance that your headset is compatible with other equipment and has been rigorously tested to meet or exceed the demands of your flight environment.

TSOs come from the Federal Aviation Administration. And like aircraft and pilot certification, TSO authorisation of aviation-related equipment provides assurance from the FAA that the equipment has been tested and meets the basic standards set for the product category of aviation headsets.

Why it matters

The FAA defines TSO as “a minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts and appliances used on civil aircraft.” In this case, “minimum performance standard” sets a high bar as the FAA’s mission is to “provide the safest aerospace system in the world.” This means that their minimum performance requirement is not a low standard.

In essence, TSO authorisation gives the pilot or aircraft manufacturer assurance that the design, testing and manufacturing processes have been thoroughly inspected for a high standard of safety, reliability and durability.

And while some aviation headset manufacturers claim they meet the standards outlined in the TSO, Bose is one of the few that actually pursues and receives the certification.

Through this work, Bose affirms that our headsets are ready for and can endure the challenging operating conditions of the varied cockpit environments around the world.

Going above and beyond

Achieving TSO certification is expensive, difficult and time-consuming – but completely worth the effort because it brings real value to general aviation and professional pilots alike.

Before we offer a Bose aviation headset to the market, we ensure it can withstand the extremes of aviation – often far beyond what the FAA requires. In addition to FAA and EASA E/TSO standards, we perform our own tests to ensure Bose aviation headsets are safe, reliable and durable. We invest significantly in the engineering, manufacturing and testing process because doing so validates your own headset investment.

Bose’s rigorous testing covers:

Extreme heat. The Bose ProFlight Series 2 and the Bose A20 both must withstand temperatures at or above 55°C for multiple hours, and then be immediately subjected to drop tests from 1.83 meters (6 feet) onto a concrete floor along with cable flex tests. They must continue to perform properly at those temperatures for two hours.

Subzero temperatures. The Bose ProFlight Series 2 and the Bose A20 are both stored at or below -25°C and immediately subjected to drop tests from 1.83 meters (6 feet) onto a concrete floor along with cable flex tests. They must continue to perform properly at those temperatures after three hours in the cold.

Electricity. The Bose ProFlight Series 2 and the Bose A20 are both tested for electrostatic discharge immunity. Tested across dozens of contact points, each headset is subjected to between 4 000 and12 000 volts of static electricity.

Explosive atmosphere testing. While in operational mode, the Bose A20 is tested within an explosive atmosphere and must prove that it is not a source of ignition.

Extended wear. TSO requires that headset cables and components withstand tens of thousands of flexes and tugs and pulls – the equivalent of many years of use. Our own Bose standard is even more demanding than the TSO requirement to ensure your cable and assembly is durable and robust.

Crush testing. While inside their cases, headsets are weight tested to make sure they can withstand the direct effect of weight being applied to all surfaces of the case. The headsets also have to endure compression tests and mechanical shocks, surviving both while maintaining normal functionality.

Decompression testing. Headsets must operate correctly after a decompression to service ceiling altitudes, which they are subjected to for at least 10 minutes.

Vibration table testing. Headsets are subjected to vibratory forces across all frequency ranges to ensure they survive without loss of functionality.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing. Products are tested for immunity to interference from magnetism, cell phone signals and RF signal interference from various sources. Then we run conformity tests to ensure the product meets global regulatory requirements for radiated emissions and interference.

UV. Accelerated solar radiation tests are performed to ensure components are durable and will not degrade in integrity or appearance, providing a consistent experience over the lifetime of the products.

Chemical resistance. All surfaces, coatings and markings are tested for resistance to abrasion, cleaning, perspiration and other wear activities.

And dozens more additional tests. Durability tests are only the beginning. Headsets must also meet standards like exposure to skin oils and button durability. There are also a multitude of environmental factors that are tested, including sand, humidity, condensation, blowing rain, thermal cycles, salt fog and more.

Don’t just take their word for it, see the testing in action:

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