We’d love to hear from you.

Contact us

Thank you for your interest in the CQ Headset by Card Machine Works, a family-owned small business based in central Texas. Founded by Scott Card, an experienced pilot and aircraft builder, our mission is to craft innovative aviation headsets that redefine comfort, performance, and reliability.

A Legacy in Aviation

The CQ Headset was born from a desire to improve what was available in the market. After a decade of using other in-ear headsets and identifying frustrations both minor and major, we set out to create a solution. Through collaboration with the experimental aviation community and the expertise of engineers, machinists, and assemblers, the CQ Headset was developed to address these challenges head-on.

Scott has over 30 years of flying experience, including building and flying an Oshkosh award-winning RV9A for 15 years and currently finishing an RV8. With extensive experience flying close formation in airshows for over a decade and a passion for aerobatic competition, Scott understands the importance of equipment that performs flawlessly under demanding conditions. The CQ Headset excels where it matters most, staying securely in place during high-G maneuvers while delivering unparalleled audio clarity and comfort. Whether flying aerobatics in a Super Decathlon or cruising in a Vans RV, the CQ has become a trusted companion for pilots around the world.

Our Commitment

At Card Machine Works, we prioritize:

  • Innovation: Addressing pilots’ needs through continuous refinement
  • Simplicity: Delivering easy-to-use, intuitive designs
  • Community: Collaborating with the aviation community to improve the flying experience

Designed with care in Texas and proudly made in the USA, the CQ combines state-of-the-art technology with a deep understanding of what pilots need in the cockpit. Whether you’re performing aerobatics, flying commercially, or enjoying recreational aviation, the CQ Headset is built to keep you connected and comfortable.

Explore the CQ Headset and discover why it’s been hailed as “the best little headset from Texas.”

Scott unexpectedly became a cover model for a recent issue of Sport Aerobatics while gearing up to fly a sequence at a contest. The CQ Headset proved its excellence under high-G conditions, staying secure and delivering unmatched performance. Many fellow contestants, already fans of the CQ Headset, eagerly shared their positive experiences with it, reaffirming its reputation as a game-changer in the cockpit.

Please send us a note through the form below or email
info@cardmachineworks.com

I like this design because the speaker elements are fairly well protected against abuse by the wearer.

Kitplanes Magazine Feature

November Issue, 2021

After the demo flights, I can see promoting the CQ Headset and making it primary for all but the loudest cockpits.

Aopa Pilot Magazine Feature

January Issue, 2022

When I asked controllers about audio quality, they said they heard almost no background noise even though the engines were running.

Aopa Pilot Magazine Feature

January Issue, 2022

The CQ1 shows quality construction, and the headband/microphone support seems beefier than other lightweights.

Kitplanes Magazine Feature

November Issue, 2021

The CQ does an excellent job in bringing living-room quality sound to the cockpit.

Kitplanes Magazine Feature

November Issue, 2021

Having worn other in-ear models, the most surprising aspect about the CQ Headset was the utility and clarity of my telephone calls with ATC.

Aopa Pilot Magazine Feature

January Issue, 2022

Card Machine Works

12160 W. Parmer Lane, Suite 130 #806
Cedar Park, Texas 78613

(737) 529-8074
info@cardmachineworks.com

© 2025 CQ Headsets, Card Machine Works