German headset manufacturer Sennheiser is withdrawing from the pilot headset market worldwide.
The company will cease to manufacture and sell the range in March 2016.
“Our decision to leave the pilots’ headset sector was not taken lightly," explained COO Peter Claussen, "especially as we have played a key role in the development of audio transmission in the cockpit, for example by introducing the world’s first headset with active noise compensation to receive FAA-TSO certification.
“We will redirect our aviation-specific resources to focus on our key business of headphone and microphone technology.”
The press release from the company's headquarters in Wedemark, Germany, didn't mention the specific reason for ceasing to make pilot headsets, but it is thought they didn't achieve the market share they wanted to.
Sennheiser's range of nine models included the flagship S1 Noisegard, S1 Digital and S1 Passive. The company has said it will continue to honour warranties for headsets sold up to March next year.
Sennheiser will continue to market headsets for air traffic controllers.