PS Engineering, has announced the development of their new
PMA8000.
The PMA8000 provides an
audio selector panel for two VHF coms (including our split mode), a
cellular telephone interface, an IntelliVox ® 6-place stereo
intercom, dual independent music inputs, and an internal marker
beacon receiver with 3-light indicator.
"The PMA8000 is the direct result of customer demand." said
company Vice President Gary Picou. "Pilots want the performance and
benefits afforded by our very popular PMA7000-series, but some new
aircraft and retrofit installations used competitor equipment for
convenience. The cost of an audio panel rewire can be daunting. So
we designed the PMA8000 to be a true plug-and-play replacement for
the GARMIN GMA340."
The new PMA8000 sports
a cosmetic look that blends-in perfectly with a GARMIN stack. With
an integrated bezel and tactile push-button control, this styling
will place it right at home with popular communications and
navigation avionics.
With our patented IntelliVox® automatic intercom squelch
system, all traditional knobs and push buttons needed to adjust the
intercom trip levels have been eliminated. Using digital
processing, the system determines if the microphone is picking up
voice, or aircraft noise. It opens instantly when voice is
detected. This makes conversations seamless, even in a noisy
aircraft.
When paired with the PS Engineering IFE system, such as the
PAV80, the dual independent music inputs allow the passengers to
watch a DVD and listen to the soundtrack, while the crew listens to
the AM/FM radio- even while maintaining intercom contact. PS
Engineering's "SoftMute™" automatically cuts out the music
when there is a radio call, and then smoothly restores the music
level. Through the use of a front panel control, the pilot can
select our popular Karaoke mode, allowing the music to play
continuously without constant interruptions, allowing the pilot to
place the music in the background while having the radios in the
foreground.
The full duplex TEL mode in the PMA8000 allows the pilot to
access a hands free cellular telephone, where appropriate, through
the audio panel and headset. Various front panel intercom
configurations allow anyone in the aircraft to be placed on the
cell phone, while the crew also remains connected to the
communications radios.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the PMA8000 is its ability to
serve as a remote control head for PS Engineering's new PVA800
integrated In-Flight Entertainment system. This IFE system can then
be remotely mounted, yet easily controlled by the cockpit or cabin
occupants. Available in late 2004, the PVA800 will offer DVD/CD/MP3
and Sirius satellite radio, in a single unit.
List price for the PMA8000 is $1,995. Deliveries will begin
in April, following the FAA-TSO certification program. The PMA8000
will be offered with PS Engineering's digital recorder option
($129.95 list). This popular option is a loop recorder that stores
16 messages, or up to a minute of incoming radio traffic from the
selected transceiver, and provides instant playback of missed radio
calls.