Faro Aviation, which manufactures active and passive noise reduction headsets, is offering flight schools and flying clubs an “old for new” deal: Send the company as many as three old headsets, and it will replace them with three new models, free of charge.
There are some conditions. Participating flight schools or clubs must have a business reseller license; they must have at least three fixed-wing airplanes or helicopters in their training fleet; and they must apply during the time that applications are being accepted. Schools or clubs that receive three headsets are asked to put one of the headsets on display.
Headsets sent to Faro must be in working condition, though they can exhibit normal wear and tear, some cosmetic damage, or torn ear cushions. The company will exchange a like-for-like headset—in other words, send an ANR headset and you’ll receive a Faro G2 ANR, with a manufacturer’s retail value of $389.99. Send a passive headset and you’ll get a G2 PNR, with a manufacturer’s retail value of $189.99.
Each headset comes with a three-year warranty that includes a full replacement for that period. Headsets for fixed-wing pilots are available now; headsets for helicopter pilots will be available after May 10.
President Kevin Faro said the promotion is a means to get his product into customers’ hands so they can try it out. “I think a challenge for any brand that’s not extremely well known in aviation is gaining the trust and showcasing the product as a good product,” he said. “So much depends on the review you get from your peers in the hangar. We felt if we could get these headsets into the hands of pilots across the country, they would like the headset, versus looking at a photo online or reading a marketing description.”
The company has been testing the “old for new” concept with a small number of flight schools around the country, and has had a good response, he said.
American Pilot Academy at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, was invited to participate in the headset swap. Executive Director Hugh Lawrence said flight instructors were the first to wear the ANR headsets, and all came back with good reviews. Students and renter pilots were then encouraged to try them out. Renter pilots, who tend to take longer trips, got to experience ANR and see (or hear) the difference for themselves. “It’s almost an easy buying decision for them,” Lawrence said.
The Faro “is the highest-price headset we carry, but they’re the one we sell the most of,” Lawrence said.
Faro Aviation has about 100 headsets allocated to the “old for new” program, but, depending on response, more may be made available, Faro said. “We’re trying to make it easy for people to try and fly with a Faro and we’ve seen great results,” he said.
For more information and complete details on the exchange program, see the website.
