Helicopter audio improved by request

The audio specialists known for intercoms and audio selector panels responded to requests from rotary-wing pilots and developed the PAC45A helicopter audio panel, a 3-D sound system that helps helicopter pilots differentiate voices when monitoring multiple radio frequencies simultaneously.

He noted that the MultiTalker technology was developed by the U.S. Air Force and licensed to the Lenoir City, Tennessee, company. Scheuer explained that the multidirectional audio signal technology allows a listener to key in on a particular voice instruction depending on its virtual clock position in a user’s headset. Pilots can quickly customize their setup to assign radio channels to specific virtual locations relative to their ears.

“You can literally have it sound like someone is closer to your ear” while receiving communications from another source that appears to be farther away and at a different spatial position, Scheuer said.

The nine-place Bluetooth-capable audio controller accommodates up to four individual control heads, interfaces to eight com radios and eight switched-receiver inputs, has dual CVR outputs, and incorporates two built-in speaker amplifiers, all with a single interface. The device also has the company’s “flightmate” internal digital recording system that allows pilots to create checklists and custom audio alerts, and to record communications.

Scheuer said that a police helicopter pilot might want to hear fire, rescue, ground, air traffic control, sister ships in the air, and more—all at the same time—and the MultiTalker technology allows a pilot to prioritize attention depending on where the voice appears to be coming from. Similarly, a news helicopter pilot could divide attention and monitor air traffic, law enforcement, a TV producer, a news anchor, and a camera operator. Scheuer noted that the system treats the intercom as mono so "anyone on the intercom will come in at the 12:00 position.”

Because the device can control multiple pieces of gear, Scheuer explained that prices can vary “from $13,394 all the way up to $23,591 with all four control heads,” depending on a user’s needs.

The FAA TSO’d audio panel will be introduced at the HAI Heli-Expo in Atlanta March 4 through 7—a milestone for the aviation audio specialty company, which is closing in on its thirty-fifth anniversary.

“We are a first-time HAI exhibitor and I’m hoping people who attend the show will have some interest in the new products area and can come over and meet us,” Scheuer added.