What are the different plug types that are used on aviation headsets? Twin Plugs - the mic plug is thinner than the Phono plug. These are commonly used on most general aviation aircraft as well as most Airliners. UK NATO plug is a short brass plug with 4 contact rings commonly used on all UK Military aircraft and some helicopters. (Often denotes military spec headset that is not useable on GA Aircraft) USA NATO plug (U174/U) Similar to the UK NATO plug but has a silver nickel finish to contacts and a smaller body diameter.

Used on many helicopters and ground crew headsets * Note. The U174/U plugs on the ground crew headsets are wired differently to standard aircraft U174/U plugs! 5 pin XLR plugs are nickel or black bodied metal plugs with 5 small pins arranged in a semi-circle. Most commonly used on the Airbus range of Airliners.