Push-to-Talk Switches for Pilots

An aviation push-to-talk switch puts radio transmission under your fingertip so you can key the mic without taking a hand off the controls. It is one of the least expensive cockpit upgrades you can make and one of the most practical, especially if you fly a rental or club aircraft that has no built-in yoke PTT, or you talk through a handheld radio. Pilot Mall stocks universal and portable switches that work with most general aviation headsets, plus radio-specific adapter switches for ICOM and Yaesu setups.

Shop by how you fly:

Universal yoke-mounted PTT: the Pilot USA Universal Aviation Push to Talk Switch straps to the yoke or control column and works with most standard GA dual-plug headsets.
Portable in-line PTT: the Portable In-Line Push to Talk Switch sits between your headset and the aircraft jacks, ideal for rentals and flying different airplanes.
ICOM radio PTT: the Pilot USA PTT Switch for ICOM Radios lets you use a headset and remote key with an ICOM handheld.
Yaesu headset PTT: the Pilot USA Push to Talk for Yaesu Aviation Headsets adapts a GA headset to a Yaesu handheld with a fingertip key.

Not sure which way to go? If you want a switch that moves between airplanes, choose portable or universal. If you transmit through a handheld, match the adapter to your radio. Pair any switch with the right aviation headset or an aircraft intercom for a complete communication setup. Free U.S. shipping over $100.

Push-to-talk switches: fingertip transmit control for any cockpit

A push-to-talk switch, or PTT, is the button that keys your radio to transmit. Many aircraft route that function to a thumb switch on the yoke, but plenty of rentals, club planes, and handheld-radio setups have no convenient button at all. An add-on PTT switch fixes that for very little money and very little installation. It either straps to the yoke or sits in line with your headset cord, so you can transmit cleanly while keeping both hands on the controls during the busiest phases of flight.

Switch	Type	Best for
Pilot USA Universal Push to Talk Switch	Yoke-mounted, universal	Adding a PTT to most standard dual-plug GA headsets
Portable In-Line Push to Talk Switch	Portable, in-line	Rentals and pilots who fly more than one airplane
Pilot USA PTT Switch for ICOM Radios	Radio-specific adapter	Using a headset and remote key with an ICOM handheld
Pilot USA Push to Talk for Yaesu Headsets	Radio-specific adapter	Adapting a GA headset to a Yaesu handheld radio

Click any product for current pricing.

Two ways to add a PTT switch

Universal and portable PTT switches

A universal or portable switch is the simplest answer when an aircraft lacks a usable transmit button. The Pilot USA universal switch mounts to the yoke or control column and works with most standard GA dual-plug headsets, while the portable in-line switch plugs between your headset and the panel jacks so nothing is permanently installed. Because it travels with you, the in-line style is a favorite for renters and anyone who flies several different airplanes.

Radio-specific PTT adapters

If you transmit through a handheld aviation radio rather than the panel, you want a switch matched to that radio's jacks. The ICOM PTT switch and the Yaesu PTT switch let you connect a standard headset to an ICOM or Yaesu handheld and key it with a remote button, instead of fumbling for the radio's built-in PTT while you fly.

How to choose a push-to-talk switch

How you transmit: Choose a yoke or in-line switch if you talk through the aircraft panel, or a radio-specific adapter if you talk through an ICOM or Yaesu handheld.
One plane or many: A portable in-line switch moves between airplanes, which suits renters; a yoke-mounted switch suits an aircraft you fly regularly.
Headset plugs: Confirm your headset uses standard dual GA plugs so the switch passes audio through correctly.
Mounting: Yoke switches usually attach with hook-and-loop so you can reposition them without tools.

Building a communication setup from scratch? Add the right aviation headset, an aircraft intercom for multi-seat flying, or a panel mount radio to round out the cockpit.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

Aviation only: we sell pilot gear and nothing else, so our team knows headsets, plugs, intercoms, and how a PTT fits the rest of your cockpit.
Trusted for 25-plus years: thousands of pilots rely on Pilot Mall for cockpit communication gear.
Free U.S. shipping over $100: easy to add a switch alongside a headset or intercom in one order.
Expert guidance: talk to people who fly before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does an aviation push-to-talk switch work?

A push-to-talk switch closes the radio's transmit circuit when you press it, keying the microphone so your voice goes out over the frequency. Release it and the radio returns to receive. An add-on switch wires into your headset cord or the aircraft jacks, giving you a remote button you can reach without moving your hands.

Do I need a portable PTT switch for a rental aircraft?

It helps if the rental has no convenient yoke transmit button or you find the existing one awkward. A portable in-line switch plugs between your headset and the panel jacks, installs in seconds, and moves with you to the next airplane, so renters and pilots who fly several aircraft often carry one in their flight bag.

Are aviation push-to-talk switches universal across headsets and radios?

Universal and portable switches work with most standard general aviation dual-plug headsets. Handheld radios are different, because ICOM and Yaesu use their own jack wiring, so those need a radio-specific PTT adapter. Match the switch to how you transmit, then confirm your headset uses standard GA plugs before ordering.

How do you attach a push-to-talk switch to a yoke?

Most yoke-mounted switches attach with a hook-and-loop strap or a clip that wraps the control yoke or column, so you can position the button under your thumb and reposition it without tools. The headset plugs into the switch and the switch plugs into the aircraft jacks, keeping audio passing through normally.

What is the difference between a yoke-mounted and a handheld PTT switch?

A yoke-mounted switch fixes to the control yoke so the button stays in one place under your thumb, which suits an aircraft you fly often. A handheld or in-line switch is a small inline button on the headset cord that you hold or clip on, making it portable and ideal for rentals and changing airplanes.

Can you use a push-to-talk switch with an intercom?

Yes. A PTT switch passes your headset audio through to the intercom or radio and only keys the transmitter when pressed, so it works with or without an intercom in the loop. If you fly with passengers, pair a switch with an aircraft intercom so everyone can talk while only the pilot transmits.