Quick Facts
David Clark M-5A noise-canceling electret microphone with a rugged flex boom, helmet mounting assembly, and attached microphone cord.
- Microphone Manufacturer: David Clark
- Microphone Model: M-5A
- Microphone Type: Noise-canceling electret
- Boom Type: Rugged adjustable flex boom
- Mount: Flight helmet mounting assembly included
- Microphone Cord: Included
- Communication System: Compatible civilian electret aviation systems
- Aviation Survival Part Number: AVS-2333
David Clark M-5A Flight Helmet Microphone Assembly
This complete flight helmet microphone assembly combines a David Clark M-5A noise-canceling electret microphone with a rugged adjustable flex boom, helmet mounting hardware, and an attached microphone cord. It provides a ready-to-install replacement for compatible civilian flight helmet communication systems when the customer needs more than a loose microphone element.
David Clark developed the M-5A for enhanced noise cancellation and clear speech transmission in demanding communication environments. The flexible boom allows precise microphone placement near the mouth, helping the microphone separate the user’s voice from cockpit and operational noise.
Communication-System Note: The M-5A is an electret microphone and must be used with a compatible communication circuit that supplies the required microphone bias. This assembly is not a direct replacement for a 5-ohm, 75-ohm, or 150-ohm military dynamic microphone system.
Common Flight Operations
This microphone and boom assembly is suited to compatible civilian flight helmets used by:
- Helicopter air ambulance, EMS, and medical-flight crews
- Law-enforcement and public-safety helicopter pilots
- Utility, power-line, construction, and external-load operators
- Aerial firefighting and government aviation crews
- Tour, charter, transport, and offshore helicopter operations
- Agricultural aviation and other high-noise cockpit operations
- Flight helmet repair, refurbishment, and civilian communication upgrades
Compatible Flight Helmet Applications
This assembly is intended for compatible electret communication installations in aviation helmets from manufacturers such as:
| Helmet Family | Application |
|---|
| EVO Flight Helmets | Compatible civilian electret helmet configurations using the appropriate boom mount and wiring |
| Gentex Flight Helmets | Civilian-converted or custom-wired installations using compatible mounting hardware |
| Alpha Flight Helmets | Compatible civilian communication configurations with the correct mount and microphone cord |
| MSA Gallet Flight Helmets | Professionally configured electret communication installations |
| Other Aviation Helmets | Custom applications where the mount, wiring, cord, and aircraft communication system are compatible |
Fit depends on the exact helmet model, existing mounting location, microphone cord, helmet wiring, plug, earphone configuration, and aircraft intercom. This assembly should not be considered a universal bolt-on part for every helmet made by the listed manufacturers.
What Is Included?
- David Clark M-5A electret microphone
- Rugged adjustable flex microphone boom
- Flight helmet boom mounting assembly
- Attached microphone cord and connector
Main helmet communication cords, earphones, helmet wiring, aircraft adapters, installation labor, and microphone covers are not included unless shown or selected separately.
M-5A vs. M-5B
The microphone installed on this assembly is marked M-5A. David Clark also manufactures an M-5B electret microphone for newer headset systems, including the DC ONE-X and DC JET families. The M-5A and M-5B should not be treated as the same replacement part solely because both belong to the M-5 microphone series.
| Model | Documented David Clark Use | This Listing |
|---|
| M-5A | DC PRO and selected DC 3600-series communication headsets | Included |
| M-5B | DC ONE-X, DC JET, and other newer David Clark headset systems | Not included |
Installation and Microphone Positioning
Mount the boom where it can be comfortably positioned on either side of the user’s mouth without interfering with the visor, oxygen equipment, or helmet retention system. The microphone should remain close to the lips and the speaking side must face the user for effective noise cancellation.
Professional installation is recommended when drilling, mounting, soldering, rewiring, changing connectors, or converting a helmet from military low impedance to a civilian electret communication system.
Why Buy from Aviation Survival?
Aviation Survival specializes in complete flight helmet communication systems. Our technicians work with the microphone, boom, mount, earphones, internal wiring, helmet cord, aircraft plug, and intercom as one connected system instead of treating the microphone as an isolated part.
- In-house flight helmet inspection, repair, rewiring, and communications installation
- Experience with EVO, Gentex, SPH, Alpha, MSA Gallet, and custom aviation helmets
- Support matching civilian and military microphones, earphones, cords, plugs, and aircraft connections
- Technical support for EMS, law enforcement, utility, firefighting, government, commercial, and private aviation operators
- Replacement parts and professional helmet service available from one aviation-focused source
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a loose M-5A microphone?
No. This product includes the David Clark M-5A microphone, flex boom, helmet mount, and attached microphone cord as one assembly.
What type of microphone is the M-5A?
The David Clark M-5A is a noise-canceling electret microphone designed for enhanced noise cancellation and clear speech transmission in compatible powered communication systems.
Is the M-5A the same as the M-5B?
No. They are different David Clark microphone models used in different headset and communication assemblies. This product contains the M-5A.
Can this be used in an EVO flight helmet?
It can be used in compatible EVO civilian electret configurations when the boom mount, microphone cord, helmet wiring, earphones, main cord, plug, and aircraft intercom are matched to the installation.
Can this replace an M-87 military microphone?
Not directly. The M-5A is an electret microphone, while the M-87 is generally used in military low-impedance dynamic communication systems. Converting between them may require new earphones, wiring, cords, connectors, or other communication components.
Is a microphone cover included?
A microphone cover is included only when it is pictured, stated in the product options, or selected separately. David Clark protector 40062G-02 is designed for non-coated M-5 and M-7 series microphones.
Does Aviation Survival install this assembly?
Yes. Aviation Survival can inspect the helmet, confirm the communication configuration, install the microphone and boom assembly, complete required wiring, and test the finished helmet communication system.
