Story ID: 
PS Engineering Upgrades Audio Control System
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Unveiled at EAA's AirVenture, the new PMA8000G system adds several new pilot-friendly capabilities
Word Count: 222
At EAA’s AirVenture, cockpit audio control specialist PS Engineering (Booth 1020) unveiled the latest advancements to its panel-mounted audio controls. Included in the company’s new PMA8000G is an audio storage/recall system known as flightmate that allows pilots to record alert messages that can be triggered by some specific event or switch in the cockpit, such as a stall warning or autopilot disconnect.

The unit features two-and-a-half minutes of recording time, enough to store brief checklists or other airplane- or mission-specific information, which can be easily played back. In addition to this added functionality, the restyled device has eliminated indicator windows, enlarged button text and added a 10-watt USB charging port.

Also newly added are a head-related transfer function (HRTF), the company’s patented spatial audio system, which when activated will enable the crew to hear COM 1 at a 10 o’clock position and COM 2 at the 2 o’clock position to help them better process audio sources in multi-radio situations, and a “copilot as passenger” intercom function that treats the intercom station at the copilot seat as a passenger position in terms of music distribution and radio interface capabilities.

The $2,295 unit can be equipped with the optional PS Streamer Bluetooth module for streaming cockpit audio to compatible devices such as a video camera.