'David' Takes On 'Goliath' Looking For Market Share

PS Engineering has a proposition for owners of Garmin's GMA340 Audio Panel. The company is challenging those owners and pilots to ask their avionics dealer for a free flight trial of the PS Engineering PSA450A audio panel, a "plug and play" replacement.

PS Engineering sent out a flier to the media and others announcing what it calls the "PS Engineering Challenge" ... and places no restrictions on the offer. The company says that the PMA450A "is the latest Plug ‘N Play model that give unprecedented capability while being the easiest to use audio panel we have ever built.

"The PMA450A is the second generation digitally based audio panel that is based upon a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The licensed patented technology from the United States Air Force that was designed for the fighter pilot who is inundated with multiple audio signals, is now available to the GA pilots," the company says.

"Another leap forward is PS Engineering’s improved and unique graphical user interface. Using OLED technology, the larger display not only makes it possible to view the display from any angle, it is also larger to make the soft-key graphical user interface even easier to use.

"This audio panel is Plug ‘N Play with Garmin’s GMA340, so making the upgrade, as easy as 1-2-3. The existing wire harness and tray that is installed for the GMA340 is complete and there is nothing to add or change. Get all of the new capabilities by simply removing and replacing. A simple logbook entry is all that is required."

So apparently, you can go into the shop, have one of the units installed in your airplane, go fly, and compare the two.

It's interesting, and aggressive marketing, to be sure.

FMI: www.ps-engineering.com