PS Engineering unveiled two new audio panels to its lineup: the PMA450A and the PMA8000G. The PMA450A picks up where the older PMA450 left off and has a larger enhanced display and an easy-to-read white-text-on-black Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED). It also gets a new bezel-mounted USB-C charging port, which is smaller and more powerful than the previous one.
The new USB-C standard connector is non-directional and non-gendered, which means both ends are the same, and there is no up or down—making it easier to connect a device. The power output also increases from 10 to 15 watts.
Also added to the PMA450A is an optional Bluetooth module called PS Streamer, for wirelessly streaming cockpit audio signals—from radios or everything the pilot hears, to compatible action cameras.
The PMA450A also adds an independent Bluetooth music input for distribution—increasing the available sources to three—for streaming to any seat on the intercom. This means the pilot, copilot and passengers all can share, or listen independently, their music source of choice.
List price of the PMA450A is $2595, while the PS Streamer Bluetooth module is $149.95.
The company also introduced the PMA8000G, which is based on the original PMA8000 platform, but with more features, including the new Flightmate. This audio storage/recall system provides an extra layer of alerting and quick access to audio checklists.
The Flightmate system allows the pilot to record alert messages that can be triggered by some event or switch in the aircraft, like a stall warning or autopilot disconnect. These four logic inputs trigger specific messages pre-recorded by the pilot. In addition, there is over two minutes of recording time to store brief checklists or other information, which can be played back at the push of a button.
The PMA8000G also has subtle changes in styling. The indicator windows are gone, the button text is larger and is also used to indicate selection by changing from white to green. There is also a USB charging port, capable of 10 watts of power.
The PMA8000G also has the company’s spatial audio system called IntelliAudio, with Head Related Transfer Function, or HRTF. When HRTF is activated, the crew will hear COM 1 at a 10 o’clock position, while COM 2 appears to come from the 2 o’clock position, as one example. This spatial audio feature helps the brain process audio sources, adding comprehension and easy listening to multiple radios.
As an option, the PMA8000G can be equipped with the above-mentioned PS Streamer Bluetooth module.List price of the PMA8000G is $2295.
For more information, contact www.ps-engineering.com
