Register
Avionics

Panel Planner 101: Audio Strategies

The time to upgrade the audio system is when the panel and wiring is already opened up. Start with a thorough demo before buying and consider upgrading headsets.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

Edited By:

Omar Filipovic

Not all audio panels are created equally from a user control set standpoint. That’s a PS Engineering PMA450C pictured at the bottom and it has an onboard OLED display for navigating the various menus. Garmin’s GMA 350 at the top has hard controls with alternate key functions only. Bottom line—get a good demo to see which you get along with the best.

This month’s panel planner topic is one that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. That’s because the aircraft audio panel is integral to the rest of the avionics suite and the passenger cabin experience.

Moreover, I don’t think shops always give the best advice when it comes to selecting the right system. As an example, it’s easy for a shop to simply sell a Garmin panel when it’s installing a suite of Garmin equipment, and many customers might not think about other choices. This includes good-performing and feature-rich models from PS Engineering.

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.