Abstract: An aircraft headset includes a headset band, including a head element and a pair of ear cup supports slidably received in the head element, ear cups pivotally attached at one end of each ear cup support; and a microphone boom pivotally attached to one of the ear cups; an improved ear cup tensioning mechanism including a tongue extending laterally from each end of the headset band and a conformal tongue receiver located adjacent the other end of each ear cup support; wherein the tongue receiver is conformal with the tongue, and wherein the tongue and the tongue receiver are constructed and arranged to provide near-constant lateral pressure between the ear cups and a wearer's head.