I don't know why I didn't think of posting this question earlier, but here it is. When we found out that we'd be having our first child, I started looking around for ear protection options. Of course there are the child headsets that you can get through Sporty's, but those look like they won't be a viable optioin until the child is at least 3-4 years old...maybe even older.

I while back I came across an article written in AOPA's Pilot that the author told of his unsuccessful attempt to find a commercial solution. So he ended up making a cap (bonnet type cap with a string to secure it in place) with ear cups installed that would give his child some protection. He included detailed instructions, and it looks like it ought to work fairly well.

So, what have you all done? I'm really interested to see what ideas you all have and what you have done that has worked well.

My boys fit the head sets, but they are 4 and 6 and didn't fly till they were a little older.

I faced this scenario a year ago. Started with a homebuilt version that just didn't cut it. Then at 2 months bought a set of Peltor youth ear muffs.
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/pro ... r_Earmuffs
did a quich search and found this link but tons of people sell them. He still uses them at 13 months. Pretty soon I need to get his own headset so he can hear and talk to us. These peltors will get you thru year 1.


If the photo link doesn't work I uploaded the photo to my gallery.

Hey Buzz,

Enjoy the toddler up front now. Mine are 14 and 17 and fight over who will sit up front and fly.

When they were little we wouldn't get through 1000 feet and they would be asleep.

They both use Flight Com 4DX's. Seem to work well for them, been using them since they were 4 and 7, so for the last 10 years.

Be safe, Bub