Digital Audio That Performs

Aircraft Audio Systems:

PAC45
PAC45D
PAC45J

equipment from audio experts psi

Mission Audio Control for Rotorcraft, Special Mission, and Jet Cockpits

A typical GA audio panel handles two com radios and a handful of navigation receivers. Mission aircraft carry far more: law enforcement, firefighting, EMS, utility helicopters, and business jets may have several transceivers, tactical radios, an observer seat, night-vision lighting, and cockpit voice recorder outputs. The PS Engineering PAC45 series was built for that workload. It is a fully digital audio control system made up of a central audio hub and one or more control heads.

Premier Aviation Tucson works on military and special-mission airframes as well as general aviation aircraft. See our Blackhawk UH-60 maintenance work. We can help you choose and plan a PAC45-series system for your fleet. Call 888-960-4288 to talk through your configuration.

How a PAC45 System Is Built

Every PAC45-series installation combines two building blocks:

  • The audio hub handles analog inputs, outputs, and digital processing. Depending on the model, it attaches directly behind the control head or mounts remotely where space allows.
  • Control heads are what the crew touches. Adding control heads extends audio control to additional crew stations, such as a tactical flight officer or mission observer.

Because the processing lives in the hub, one system can be scaled to the aircraft rather than forcing the aircraft to fit the panel.

Choosing Between the PAC45, PAC45D, and PAC45J

PAC45: The Foundation

The original special mission digital audio control system. It brought PS Engineering's digital processing, IntelliVox® intercom, and MultiTalker® dimensional sound to aircraft that had outgrown standard audio panels. It's the starting point for single-pilot mission configurations.

PAC45D: Dual Controls in One Head

PS Engineering built the PAC45D after hearing from the special mission community. Its key features:

  • Two sets of audio controls in a single control head, configurable for a pilot in the left or right seat
  • Interfaces for five com radios
  • MultiTalker® 3D sound with nine selectable locations
  • An optional observer control head
  • Three pre-programmed aural alerts
  • Bluetooth® for phone and audio
  • Pilot-in-command override and a com monitor function
  • Foot-switch com swap and intercom selection, so the pilot never has to take hands off the controls
  • Optional NVG-compatible lighting

It is plug-and-play with industry-standard legacy audio controllers. That makes it a practical retrofit for operators such as firefighting and law enforcement fleets.

PAC45J: Maximum Capability for Jets and Rotor-Wing

The PAC45J uses a Dzus-width control head about 2.6 inches tall, with 16 push/pull selection and volume controls. Its capabilities:

  • Up to eight communication transceivers and eight navigation receivers, each with its own volume
  • Up to five unswitched audio inputs
  • Nine programmable alert messages
  • Up to four control heads and up to nine stereo intercom stations
  • Two CVR audio outputs
  • Push-button access to oxygen-mask microphones and a navaid identifier filter

If your aircraft…Start withNeeds advanced audio for a single primary crew stationPAC45Is flown from either seat, or has a pilot and observer sharing radiosPAC45DIs a jet or heavily equipped helicopter with many radios and Dzus-rail panelsPAC45J

Why These Systems Matter in the Cockpit

Mission crews manage several radio conversations at once while flying low, slow, and close to obstacles. MultiTalker® uses U.S. Air Force-developed technology to place each radio in its own spot in the headset. Your brain separates them naturally instead of hearing one blended stream. Add a receive-activity indicator, configurable alerts, and a voice-activated intercom that handles high-noise cabins, and the system takes workload off the crew.

Planning a PAC45-Series Installation

These are configured systems, not drop-in boxes. Before quoting, we look at:

  • Your radio inventory, including tactical and agency radios
  • The number of crew stations
  • Your NVG lighting requirements
  • Your CVR and alerting needs
  • Where the hub can mount in your airframe

You get a detailed estimate up front. If the airframe reveals something unexpected during the work, we stop and talk to you first.

Looking for a general aviation audio panel instead? See the PMA450B or our PS Engineering audio systems overview.

PAC45 Series Questions We Hear Most

What is the difference between the PAC45, PAC45D, and PAC45J?

The PAC45 is PS Engineering's original special mission digital audio control system. The PAC45D adds dual audio controls in a single control head, configurable for either seat, with support for five com radios. The PAC45J uses a Dzus-width control head with controls for up to eight com and eight nav receivers, designed for jets and rotor-wing aircraft.

Can a PAC45D replace an older audio controller without rewiring the aircraft?

The PAC45D is designed to be plug-and-play with industry-standard legacy audio controllers, which can greatly reduce wiring work on a retrofit. Every aircraft is different, so we confirm the details for your installation before quoting.

Are PAC45-series systems compatible with night vision goggles?

NVG-compatible lighting is available as an option on the PAC45D, with backlight balance adjustment. Tell us your NVG requirements when requesting a quote.

How many crew stations can a PAC45J support?

A PAC45J system can use up to four control heads and supports up to nine stereo intercom stations.

Does Premier Aviation Tucson work on military and special mission aircraft?

Yes. Along with general aviation, we support military and special mission airframes, including Blackhawk UH-60 preventative maintenance. Call 888-960-4288 to discuss your aircraft.

Premier Aviation Tucson · Tucson International Airport · 1951 E Airport Dr, Building 2, Tucson, AZ 85756 · 888-960-4288