PMA450A Audio Panel

Aviation Audio Panel



PMA450A includes not only an easy to read OLED display but brings additional capabilities that have been requested from some of our customers.

PS Engineering PMA450A: The Second-Generation Panel That Brought OLED and IntelliAudio® to GA Cockpits

The PMA450A is the second generation of PS Engineering's DSP-based (digital signal processor) audio panel. It followed the original PMA450 and preceded today's PMA450B. Thousands of pilots fly behind one, and for many of them it still does everything they need.


This page is for two kinds of owners: those who already have a 450A and want it working at its best, and those weighing whether to keep it or move up to a PMA450B. Premier Aviation Tucson installs, configures, and upgrades PS Engineering panels at Tucson International Airport. Call 888-960-4288 with your questions.

What the PMA450A Does Well

  • OLED display with three softkeys. Settings live on screen instead of behind button combinations, and the whole panel is set up from the front with no computer programming.
  • IntelliAudio® dimensional sound. USAF-licensed technology separates Com 1 and Com 2 in a stereo headset so you can follow two frequencies at once.
  • Six-place hi-fi stereo intercom with three music-mute modes.
  • Bluetooth® for phone and music, plus two hardwired music inputs.
  • Three customizable switched inputs you can label to match your equipment, such as ADF, DME, or an auxiliary receiver.
  • USB-C charging on the faceplate for a tablet or phone.

One Bluetooth Module or Two? Check Your Part Number

This is the most common point of confusion with the 450A. PMA450A units equipped with the PS Streamer option (part numbers 050-450-0102, -0104, and -0204) carry a second Bluetooth module. That second module can be set up two ways:

  • As a second input, so two devices such as a tablet and a phone can be connected at once.
  • As a streaming output that sends cockpit audio to a Bluetooth camera for flight recording.

Units without the Streamer option have a single Bluetooth connection. The part number is on the unit's data tag. Send us a photo and we'll tell you exactly what your panel can do.

Getting More Out of the 450A You Already Own

Many 450A owners use only part of what the panel can do. During a visit to our shop, we can:

  • Configure the Streamer module, if equipped, as a second Bluetooth input or a camera output.
  • Relabel the switched auxiliary inputs to match your current avionics after other panel changes.
  • Rebalance intercom and music levels for new headsets or a quieter cabin after interior work.
  • Check for intermittent audio, which is often a connector or harness problem rather than the panel itself.

Upgrading from a PMA450A to a PMA450B

The PMA450B is the third-generation panel. It is plug-and-play with the 450A's existing harness, so the swap is quick. Consider moving up if you want:

  • Two independent Bluetooth modules on every unit, without depending on the Streamer option
  • flightmate®, which lets you record custom spoken alerts triggered by avionics or engine inputs (using it requires wiring those inputs)
  • The most current PS Engineering feature set and support

If your 450A works the way you want, there's no reason to replace it. If you're adding avionics that need more audio inputs, or you want spoken alerts, a 450B swap during that panel work is efficient. Our PMA450B owner's guide covers what changes day to day.

Comparing the whole PS Engineering lineup? See our PS Engineering audio systems overview.

PMA450A Questions We Hear Most

Does the PMA450A have Bluetooth?

Yes. Every PMA450A supports Bluetooth for phone and music. Units with the PS Streamer option (part numbers 050-450-0102, -0104, and -0204) have a second Bluetooth module that can be used as another input or as a streaming output to a camera.

Is the PMA450A compatible with a Garmin GMA340 tray?

Yes. PS Engineering designed the PMA450A to be plug-and-play with the Garmin GMA340, which made it a popular replacement for that panel.

Can I replace my PMA450A with a PMA450B without rewiring?

Yes. The PMA450B is plug-and-play with the PMA450A harness. New wiring is only needed if you want to use the 450B's flightmate alert inputs.

What is the difference between the PMA450A and the PMA450B?

The PMA450A is the second-generation panel. The PMA450B is the third generation, with two independent Bluetooth modules as standard and the flightmate audio alert and recording system. Both share the OLED display, three-softkey interface, IntelliAudio, and six-place intercom.

Who can service or reconfigure my PMA450A in Tucson?

Premier Aviation Tucson is an authorized PS Engineering dealer at Tucson International Airport. We install, configure, troubleshoot, and upgrade PMA450A panels. Call 888-960-4288.

Premier Aviation Tucson · 1951 E Airport Dr, Building 2, Tucson, AZ 85756 · 888-960-4288 · No credit card fees.