Microlighters

Fellow aviators, for what it’s worth I'd like to share a little something with you.

After my headsets were recently vandalised by a couple of unwelcome hanger rats, I needed to send them off to Paul at Air Magic for repair.
(Damn those rodents get in quick, two weeks away and the inside of my hanger steel cupboard looked like it had been through an industrial shredder.)

Needless to say I thought it was going to be a month before I am airborne again. (What with all the N3 snow road closures etc.) So there was no reason to stress about the poor Highveld winter weather anyway. “Those few pristine flying days will pop up again.” I hoped.

Let me start off by saying, “Paul you rock”.... Service of note, not only did I have my parcel of shredded bits returned in blistering time, all shiny and new in an amazing 2 day turnaround, they had been furnished with the latest Air Magic upgrades...

It’s not often in our modern world that later versions and upgrades of things are significantly better than the original designs. In most cases there’s a trade off for things that worked well suddenly replaced by newer “bling bits” that you need to relearn how to use (provided you can interpret the Chinese English manual.)

Paul’s latest upgrade to the chatterbox headset system incorporates the removal of the coil cord, (which a few of you have said in another post you like) to a simpler cable that doesn’t end up making you feel like it’s the damn telephone cable all sprung up and perpetually keeping you close to the comm. Box. Thumbs up here...

In addition the change to the mic cover, “Wow” what a difference. My pax doesn’t sound like they’re sucking on some kitchen sponge in between all the wind noise. Suddenly, I have the silence only those in closed cockpits have the pleasure experiencing. This is most certainly worth doing; in fact my second set of headsets is being changed as I speak. Combine these upgrades with a V-rabbit and you’ll need to turn the squelch right up, enjoy the clarity and the silence ..

Well done guys, great job.
Mike

Looks great Mike!! I've just ordered a full kit from Paul as well, new helmets, headsets + chatterbox, vee rabbit and landing lights for my Raptor! Cant wait! Oh so its you thats been keeping him so busy!!

Like the look of that mic muff, makes sense! Thats what I like about airmagic, everything is practical.

Happy flying!

Gavin

Thanks for that, we are on a mission at present to reduce weight. As Colin Chapman of Lotus fame said "Simplicate add lightness" and this came about by flying with a popular UK brand that after an hour gave me a headache...

I would also like to inform the forum that due to a downturn in our main (EOD) business I have laid off some technicians, however Air MAgic and our commercial work carries on as normal and will actually now have more time spent on it as I have also disposed of my interests in our LED lighting project.

As a result of this and after discussions with JJ from the Cape we are working on a similar 1/2 phase headset similar to our chatterbox series for a Gyro that uses twin jacks (eish I hate them). It will be a compromise. If any Gyro pilot with a transponder wants to come and help out develop this and spend a week or more in Ballito...We can nail this project down...I have a ANR system that we use in Military vehicles that may also just work. Our Condor helmet has been selling well to Gyro pilots and I intend incorporating this headset into the shell to reduce weight even further and also bully Martin Fiberglass on this forum into making them in Carbon fibre...

Zulu1

Mikelin wrote: Paul’s latest upgrade to the chatterbox headset system incorporates the removal of the coil cord
In addition the change to the mic cover, “Wow” what a difference.

Looks like a great design!
Would've been nice to know about it when I ordered my headset a couple of months ago.
Btw Paul - the other small item I ordered at the same time still hasn't arrived.

I have ordered one of the refurbished Chatter Boxes, including all the latest mod's, from Paul and I am eagerly awaiting delivery. My old system, won't mention names, did not give me quiet comms with my pax, and, she being SWAMBO, means hearing her is critical for safe flying. Heard a lot of good reports about Paul's system, I am sure I will not be disapointed.

Hi guys,
I'm new. What is a chatterbox?

A chatterbox is the interface between the headsets and the radio in a microlight communication system. It is generic to Air Magic and almost 100% South African in manufacture. We only import the electronic worms that go into the product.
Other names you will come across are Vee Rabbits which is a King post antenna also 100% South African, Condor Helmets which we believe are the only "one size fits all" also 100% South African. And we also make mikrolite trike front lights.

Tailspin was responsible for the Condor helmet...

Thanks.
I've heard that somebody has a 'something' in his plane that he can plug his cellphone in to use the headset with his phone.
This is not the same or can it be used for this?

Pine wrote:Thanks.
I've heard that somebody has a 'something' in his plane that he can plug his cellphone in to use the headset with his phone.
This is not the same or can it be used for this?

Hi Pine

Usage of cell phones in the plane is actually against the law but there are units that can be made up to work.

Could be good but then could also have you making stupid mistakes that are not as forgiving as it might be in a car.

Hi. I hope you Guys can help me or point me in the right direction. I want to fly down to Ballito for December holidays with a Gyro from Petit airfield near Benoni. Do you know where the closest airfield is to Ballito and who I can can speak too to find a space to hanger. Thanks Cliff 0766633205