Fighter Pilot Helmet Aeroplane Headphone

Most headsets come in multiple cable configurations. Choosing the right one is pretty easy, it just depends on what type of aircraft you fly:

• Battery powered, twin plugs - this is by far the most common style, with separate microphone and headphone plugs (so-called PJ plugs). Almost every airplane ever built has these two plugs in the panel, so these headsets are universal. The only downside is that, for ANR headsets, you will need to use AA batteries to power the headset.
• Aircraft powered, 6-pin plug - the second most popular style, sometimes called the "LEMO plug," requires no batteries since it is powered by the panel. This is convenient, but it does require the 6-pin plug to be installed in the panel. While many newer airplanes come with this option, most older airplanes do not. For these applications, you'll need to have your avionics shop wire in the plug - not a big job, but not something pilots can do on their own.
• Helicopter plug - helicopters use a single, shorter plug (that is not compatible with airplanes). This is not like the 6-pin plug above, however, since an ANR helicopter headset will still need AA batteries. The only confusing part is that some helicopters also have a 6-pin (or LEMO) plug. In these helicopters, there are two different single plug connections.
• Airbus XLR plug - less common is a single 5-pin connector that is made for Airbus jets.