The front-mounted, 2.5mm multipurpose jack give pilots unprecedented access to their audio panel, allowing connections to cell phones, portable music devices, or audio announcements directly into the audio panel.

Some Bluetooth® enabled phones will be able to take advantage of front panel control of play/pause; skip; backup; last number dial, and two speed dial numbers.

Front panel control of telephone sidetone will allow the pilot to quickly turn on or off the internal sidetone generator specifically for the telephone interface.

Three different configurations can be selected from the front panel, such as how the music is distributed, the way the intercom functions, and selecting the new Monitor Function. Once a particular configuration is selected, a female voice announces that selection and will remain in affect until the pilot changes that selection. No audio panel from any manufacturer offers this kind of flexibility.

The Monitor mode is probably the most significant, single product improvement that has been made to the PMA8000B since it was introduced 3 years ago. This new function allows the pilot to designate one com radio as primary, while having the second com as the secondary audio source. When there is radio activity on the primary radio, the secondary com radio will temporarily mute. The Monitor mode will change your IFR approach environment, eliminating having to try to decipher two simultaneous radio receptions

The PMA8000B utility jack also is a convenient way to connect your cellular telephone. When the cellular phone is connected and the pilot pushes the "TEL" button our "Du-tel"™ system goes online. The Pilot can make a private phone call, everyone can be on the phone, or just the pilot and copilot can use the telephone. This selection is made by the ISO, ALL and Crew switch.

While using the phone, the pilot can receive and transmit on the selected VHF COM, for seamless integration in the cockpit. (Cellular telephone use in flight is not permitted, but remains a convenient and safe way to contact air-traffic control or a weather briefer while on the ground.)

PS Engineering's innovative Internal Recording System (IRS™) is now standard equipment, a $130 savings! The pilots can instantly play back radio messages, eliminating the need for the pilot to request "say again," or assure themselves that the last radio call was for them. The playback button is on the front panel. Up to 8 messages can be recorded and played back in sequence.

The PMA8000B is backward compatible with the PMA8000 as well as a direct replacement for the Garmin GMA-340.