PS Engineering returns to its roots with retooled PMA6000B

Lenoir City, Tenn. Fifteen years ago, PS Engineering revolutionized audio control in general aviation airplanes. At that time, the PMA6000-series took the audio panel from a collection of switches that were added as an afterthought, to a multitalented intersystem focal point for cockpit audio. Radio selection, cockpit communications and even music were seamlessly combined in the modern audio control panel. The PMA6000-series set a benchmark for all GA audio panels that followed.

In production since 1995, the PMA6000 came to represent the entry-level for audio panels, and today PS Engineering is pleased to announce an updated version, the PMA6000B. This model takes advantage of the evolution in technology and manufacturing, as well as the experience from thousands of audio panels.

The PMA6000B is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, using a single 44-pin connector for all aircraft and intercom interfacing, simplifying the installation. The sleek bezel is populated with tactile elastomeric pushbuttons and single concentric knob pair controls the volume and voice-activated squelch for the 4-place intercom. This audio panel will fit right at home on top of the popular GARMIN navigators.

According to company founder, Mark Scheuer, “Even with the success of our flagship product, like the PMA8000B, we have seen a continuing need for a low cost, basic audio panel particularly in the light sport marketplace. With the PMA6000B, we’ve been able to cut costs, improve reliability and utility, and offer full performance in an entry level audio panel, while maintaining FAA certification.”

The unit uses PS Engineering’s legendary “Set-it and Forget-it™” manual VOX circuits, with a single knob controlling four individually gated microphones, thereby keeping cabin noise to a minimum when any one person speaks. The PMA6000B has a cockpit speaker amplifier, and two monaural music inputs with SoftMute™ and front panel controlled “Karaoke Mode™” to inhibit the music mute function. 

Other functions that the PMA6000B has are “Split Mode” allowing pilot to be on Com 1 while the copilot can be on Com 2 and two mono music inputs that are independent of the intercom mode. . The PMA6000B comes with or without the built-in intercom.

Key benefits:

• Uses a single 44-pin connector making installation easier.
• Built-in 4 place mono intercom providing great cockpit communications.
• The PMA6000B comes with or without a built-in marker beacon receiver.
• Split mode allows the pilot and copilot to independently and simultaneously use both radios, even transmitting simultaneously on different frequencies.
• Pilot and crew/passenger isolate functions are an integral part of the design.
• Dual mono music inputs for passengers and crew are standard feature.
• PSE's renowned Soft Mute technology gently and subtly ramps the music down when conversation comes across either the intercom or the radio.
• A patented "swap" function (Patent #5,903,227) allows pilots to use a yoke-mounted switch to select Com 1 and Com 2 options without reaching for the panel.
• High quality, single VOX manual control, voice-activated circuitry and individual microphone channels form the heart of the intercom system.
• Passengers have their own voice and audio amplifiers.
• Backlit switches linked with a photo sensor carefully calibrates panel lighting to cockpit levels for all situations.
• Fail-safe feature automatically hard-wires the pilot to Com1 in the case of an outage.

The PMA6000B List Price with the built-in marker beacon receiver is ($1195), or without ($1095). The unit is FAA-TSO approved, and is available now from PS Engineering’s approved dealers.

Founded in 1985, PS Engineering has become a leading manufacturer of general aviation intercoms and audio control systems. With a network of over 600 authorized dealer/installers worldwide, the company is a leader in retrofit avionics as well as original aircraft equipment installation. The company’s web site contains manuals for all of their products and can be found at www.ps-engineering.com

Gary Picou

PS Engineering, Inc.

9800 Martel Road

Lenoir City, TN 37772

(865) 988-9800 fax (865) 988-6619,

email: gpicou@ps-engineering.com