Most general-aviation airplanes use twin (dual) GA plugs, panel-powered aircraft use a 6-pin LEMO plug, several helicopter models use a U-174 (U174) plug, and Airbus and some jets use a 5-pin XLR plug. Match your headset’s connector to your aircraft before you buy, because the wrong plug is the number one reason a new headset gets sent back.
Part of our Aviation Headsets buyer’s guide.
Find your plug fast: PilotMall’s aviation headset plug finder lets you pick your cockpit connector (dual GA, LEMO, U-174, or XLR-5) and see every compatible headset.
The four common aviation headset connectors
There are four plug types you will run into across civilian flying, and each one is tied to a specific kind of aircraft. Knowing the difference takes two minutes and saves you a return.
- Dual GA plugs (twin plugs): Two separate plugs, a larger one for the headphones and a smaller one for the microphone. This is the standard for the vast majority of piston general-aviation airplanes, including Cessna 172s, Piper Cherokees, Cirrus, and Diamond trainers. If you are learning to fly in a typical rental, this is almost certainly what you need.
- LEMO 6-pin (panel power): A single round push-pull connector that draws power from the aircraft panel, so the headset needs no batteries. You will find LEMO jacks in many newer Cirrus, glass-panel Cessnas, and turboprops and jets fitted with panel-powered audio.
- U-174 (helicopter): A single military-style plug (also written U174) used in several helicopter models and some military aircraft. If you fly rotorcraft, check the jacks before you order, since not every helicopter uses it.
- XLR-5 (5-pin, Airbus): A 5-pin connector that is standard on Airbus flight decks and some business jets and airliners. This is a professional-cockpit plug, not something a typical student encounters.
| Connector | Typical aircraft | Power source |
|---|---|---|
| Dual GA (twin plugs) | Most piston GA airplanes (Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Diamond) | Headset battery (for ANR) |
| LEMO 6-pin | Panel-powered airframes, many turboprops and jets | Aircraft panel (no batteries needed) |
| U-174 | Several helicopter models and military aircraft | Headset battery (for ANR) |
| XLR-5 | Airbus and some jets/airliners | Aircraft power or headset battery |
The same premium headset is often sold in all four versions. Here is the Bose A30 in each of its connector variants so you can see how the plug end changes while the headset stays the same.
How to tell which plug you need
You do not have to guess. Use whichever of these is easiest:
- Look at the jacks in the aircraft. Two separate holes near the seat means dual GA plugs. A single round metal receptacle usually means LEMO panel power.
- Ask the flight school or owner. If you are buying for the airplane you train in, your instructor or the rental desk can tell you the connector in one sentence.
- Check the aircraft type. Piston trainers are dual GA almost every time. Several helicopter models are U-174. Airbus flight decks are XLR-5.
- Match a headset that already works. If a headset in the airplane plugs in fine today, order the same connector.
If you are still deciding between active and passive models before you even get to plugs, our ANR vs passive headsets guide covers that first choice, and best headsets for student pilots narrows the field for training.
Battery power vs panel power
Connector type and power source go together, and this trips up a lot of first-time buyers. Active noise reduction (ANR) needs electricity to run its noise-canceling circuitry, and there are two ways to feed it:
- Battery power lives in a control box on the cord and runs on AA batteries or an internal pack. Dual GA and U-174 versions are typically battery powered, so they work in any airplane or helicopter with the matching jacks regardless of panel wiring.
- Panel power pulls electricity straight from the aircraft, so there are no batteries to change. LEMO 6-pin and 5-pin XLR jacks can carry that power, but not every aircraft powers them. Some headsets, such as the Bose A30 LEMO and XLR versions, can also run on AA batteries when aircraft power is not available.
The takeaway: a battery-powered dual GA headset is the most flexible choice for a student who flies different rental airplanes, while panel power is a convenience feature tied to a specific aircraft.
Adapters: when they work and when to just buy the right plug
Adapters exist, and for occasional situations they are genuinely useful. A common example is a Bose 6-pin LEMO to dual GA plug adapter, which lets a panel-power headset plug into a standard twin-jack airplane.
Use an adapter when you already own a headset in one connector and only occasionally fly an aircraft with a different jack. It is the right tool for a rental you fly twice a year or a borrowed airplane on a trip.
Skip the adapter and buy the correct plug version instead when this is your primary airplane. A native connector is one less thing to lose in the flight bag, one less cable junction to fail, and it keeps battery-versus-panel power matched to how the aircraft is wired. If you know you fly a dual GA airplane every week, order the dual GA headset. Browse the full range of adapters and cables in the headset accessories collection at PilotMall.
The Bose A30 plug options mapped to aircraft
The Bose A30 is the clearest example of one headset offered in every connector, so it is a handy reference. Same headset and the same active noise reduction (each version comes with or without Bluetooth), different plug on the end:
- Dual plug (dual GA): for the typical general-aviation airplane. This is the version most students want.
- LEMO 6-pin: for panel-powered aircraft, no batteries required.
- U-174: for helicopters and military aircraft with U-174 jacks.
- 5-pin XLR: for Airbus and some jets.
Choose the connector that matches your aircraft. The headset itself is the same, but power and audio differ by version: the dual plug and U-174 run on AA batteries only, the LEMO and XLR run on aircraft power or AA batteries, and the U-174 and XLR are mono only. For a deeper look at the headset itself, see our Bose A30 review and the Bose A20 vs A30 comparison.
What you'll need
Shop these at PilotMall, an authorized Bose dealer with genuine, new, full-warranty headsets and expert pilot-staffed support. Pick the plug that matches your aircraft.
Not sure which model or connector is right for you? Compare the whole lineup in the PilotMall aviation headsets collection, and read their staff roundups, best aviation headsets and the Bose A30 in-depth review.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does my aviation headset need?
Most general-aviation airplanes use dual (twin) GA plugs, so that is the safest default for a student pilot. Confirm by looking at the aircraft jacks or asking your flight school, and match the connector to the specific airplane, helicopter, or jet you fly.
What is the difference between dual GA plugs and a LEMO plug?
Dual GA plugs are two separate connectors (one for the headphones, one for the microphone) and the headset runs on its own battery. A LEMO plug is a single 6-pin connector that draws power from the aircraft panel, so no batteries are needed when the aircraft supplies that power. Some LEMO headsets, such as the Bose A30, can also run on AA batteries.
What plug do helicopters use?
Several helicopter models use a single U-174 (U174) plug, but not every helicopter does. If you fly rotorcraft, check the jacks in your aircraft, and if they are U-174, order the U-174 version of your headset rather than a dual GA model.
Can I use an adapter to change my headset plug?
Yes, adapters like a 6-pin LEMO to dual GA converter work well for occasional use, such as a rental you fly rarely. For your primary aircraft, buying the correct plug version is more reliable because it removes an extra cable junction and keeps battery or panel power matched to the wiring.
Which Bose A30 plug version should I buy?
Choose the A30 dual plug for a typical general-aviation airplane, the LEMO 6-pin for panel-powered aircraft, the U-174 for helicopters with U-174 jacks, and the 5-pin XLR for Airbus and some jets. The headset itself is the same across all four, but the dual plug and U-174 run on AA batteries only, the LEMO and XLR run on aircraft power or AA batteries, and the U-174 and XLR are mono only.