"I Hate Wires!"

Bluetooth technology isn't just for cell phones and automobiles anymore. Utilizing software the company has dubbed "Intuition," LoPresti has unveiled a headset that could eliminate wires from the cockpit of your aircraft.

Introduced at last month's Lakeland Fly-In, LoPresti says the "ClearBlue" headphones are a runaway success.

"We hoped for a good response," said RJ Siegel, VP of Operations and designer of the technology, "but we never expected to be deluged with so many orders. LoPresti has a history of bringing new technology to aviation, but in the past, the adoption curve has been measured in years."

Sporting a simplified interface on the ear cup, the headset offers single button control of the system. An Apple iPod provides in-flight audio entertainment controlled by the Intution software. When simultaneously synched to a Bluetooth cellphone, the ring is heard in the headset and can be answered with a single touch of the button.

The headset sports four cascading frequencies, ranging in priority from iPod, cellphone, intercom, and radio. Most importantly, activity on the aircraft's comm takes the highest priority, muting the other functions at the pilots discretion. 

Siegel adds Lopresti is looking to partner with existing headset manufacturers, and hopes to make first deliveries in time for Christmas.

"Although aviation is primary target, the ClearBlue Headset is designed for a variety of applications," Siegel told ANN. "Autocross, Motorcycling, construction sites and any arena where high noise level and the entanglement of wires present a safety hazard.

"I hate wires," Siegel said. "I hate them in computers and I especially hate them in the cockpit."

The "Intuition" system is a series of avionics components -- including ClearBlue headsets, and an in-cockpit iPod interface -- Lopresti plans to introduce on its upcoming Lopresti Fury sport aircraft (shown above).

FMI: www.speedmods.com