Bagarre wrote:I think you’re all missing the oh so important point that the phone can be TURNED OFF when you don’t want the distraction and TURNED ON when a call might be appropriate.
But I agree that if you can’t figure out how to manage something as simple as that, you should have a phone and probably shouldnt be in the left seat.

Absolutely true.......now go drive around any city and count the number of drivers at intersections who are chatting on phones.

Problem is, you’re absolutely right, phones SHOULD be turned off, but the fact is few people will do so.

I’ve used a phone in flight.....bluetooth to my headset. Turn on phone, call FSS, update flight plan route, hang up, turn phone off. That was outside controlled airspace, by the way.

MTV

My new audio panel (PMA450B) has bluetooth. I want it so I can easily, and without wires, get iPad aural alerts from Foreflight. It'll also let me pair up a music device (e.g. XM receiver or cell phone with offline Spotify downloads) for those super exciting trips across southern Wyoming, where even ATC doesn't want to talk to you that much; this is also useful for passengers. I have zero interest in placing calls while in flight, though the ability to do so while on the ground could be nice. I can do that already with my Lightspeed headset but have yet to need it, especially now that I can brief, file, and activate/close flight plans on the iPad.

It's certainly not required by any means, but I need a new panel as well and figure there's no harm in adding it. It isn't like you're suddenly forced into chatting up all of your friends in flight, you always have the discretion to choose wisely as the PIC. But as I noted, bluetooth audio connectivity has other ancillary benefits directly related to flight that do make sense with the tools many of us fly with now.

colopilot wrote:My new audio panel (PMA450B) has bluetooth. I want it so I can easily, and without wires, get iPad aural alerts from Foreflight. It'll also let me pair up a music device (e.g. XM receiver or cell phone with offline Spotify downloads) for those super exciting trips across southern Wyoming, where even ATC doesn't want to talk to you that much; this is also useful for passengers. I have zero interest in placing calls while in flight, though the ability to do so while on the ground could be nice. I can do that already with my Lightspeed headset but have yet to need it, especially now that I can brief, file, and activate/close flight plans on the iPad.

It's certainly not required by any means, but I need a new panel as well and figure there's no harm in adding it. It isn't like you're suddenly forced into chatting up all of your friends in flight, you always have the discretion to choose wisely as the PIC. But as I noted, bluetooth audio connectivity has other ancillary benefits directly related to flight that do make sense with the tools many of us fly with now.

I couldn’t agree more. Like any other tool, used intelligently, these things can be a great tool. The “so my wife can use her phone in flight” thing is what got me going.

Once you open that door......it can be difficult to manage.

I had phone capability in both my work airplanes for six or seven years before someone let it slip to my boss that he could call me on the plane phones........an unfortunate slip on my part......and life was never the same after that. On that system there was no way to tell who was calling, there was no voice mail, and I had crews out in tough country, so I had to be very judicious about ignoring a call. Those kids were living and working in some really tough country.

Fortunately, my boss really didn’t want to talk to me much anyway....

Just be careful how you manage that connectivity. Music is great, as long as it mutes automatically.

FWIW

MTV

Yes I agree. I definitely would not want my wife's calls coming through the panel. Give her a headset for that. But for the rest of the capabilities I like it through the panel.

A1Skinner wrote:

Bagarre wrote:

pilot wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:If you absolutely need a new audio panel anyways them I would go the PAR200A route. If you can make do with what you have then I would just buy a new headset.

Yep, do need an audio panel. I'm installing a 430w and wanting a backup com, so leaning towar the par200. Plus, my initials are PAR, so maybe it's meant to be [emoji38]

That's a sweet little audio/com panel!

Since it uses a Trig radio, can you set it up to accept frequencies like the SL-30 and other Garmin radios?
Trig says you can do this with their radios (send frequencies to standby from a handheld GPS for example) but, does this feature also exist with the PAR200?

Maybe I'm just too reckless for my own good but, I'd go nuts on long flights without being able to pipe music into my headphones. Love the sounds of a good running motor but not for hours on end. Yes, of course, it gets turned off when I'm working the radio or in busy airspace so, maybe I'm not so reckless after all.

It's also nice that you can flip a switch to control phone calls.

I'm not sure, but I would think you can. Most comms allow that now a days.
Anither thing I really like about it 8s that you can have 2 aux inputs. This will be great for when the kids wants to watch something while travelling. They can plug whatever they want in and listen to it through there head sets and the adults can listen to our own thing...
I agree. I really enjoy my Sirius xmas when flying. As relaxing as flying is, some good music makes it even better.

Getting off topic and might be better if it was split BUT,
I spoke to PS Engineering about the PAR200A intercom-com

It does NOT accept frequencies from handheld GPS units. The Trig TY91 used in their setup is a TY91L which is a modified version specifically for PS Engineering. In fact, the TY91L carries PS Engineering branding.

I was really hoping they just wedged a TC90 control head inside their audio panel but that's not the case.

Disappointing as I really like transferring freqs from the Aera and didn't get this question answered until after I bought the PAR200A

If you don't care about bluetooth, a cheaper alternative would be to buy the Trig TY91 separately and a PS Engineering PMA 4000 audio panel. Both fit 2 1/4 holes. You don't get bluetooth but you get all the other capabilities of the PAR200A as well as freq transfer to the TY91 in a still very small package.

FWIW, when I needed a new audio panel, I opted for the least expensive PS Engineering version, a 4000B. It is not stereo (I can't tell the difference in the noisy airplane between mono and stereo), but it handles 2 plug-in inputs, so that the passengers can have theirs separate from mine, if that's the desire. I have my XM receiver plugged into the front seat audio jack, and I listen to XM music when I'm on long cross countries. Although it automatically mutes the music, I shut off the XM during my departures and well before landing at my destination.

For connectivity from my iPad Mini 4, I use the Bluetooth connection in my DC One-X headset. That gives me all of the ForeFlight alerts. I cannot think of any earthly reason why my non-pilot passenger needs to hear those alerts through the audio panel.

If I want to use my phone (which I've done all of once since getting the One-X 2 1/2 years ago), I have to pair my phone to the headset, which will disconnect it from the Mini 4, as the One-X will only accept one Bluetooth pairing at a time--which is just fine with me. If someone calls while the Mini 4 is paired, I may or may not hear the phone, but not through my headset. It's pretty unlikely that I'd choose talking on the phone over flying the airplane anyway.

I really do think we as a society have gotten carried away with connectivity. I see people stumbling along and stepping out into traffic, texting on their phones as they walk, and drivers weaving and failing to adhere to the speed of traffic for the same reason. I'm not a horn honker, but I've sure been tempted countless times, when the driver of the car in front of me hasn't seen the light change because of being "connected". We just don't need that kind of connectivity in an airplane, at least for the pilot.

Incidentally, to the OP, believe me, when you get going on your IR, you'll have so much to do in the cockpit that you won't want any connectivity distractions, at all. You'll be thinking that you're already drinking from a fire hose--anything else will drown you. Just learning the nuances of that new 430W will consume you.

Cary

niente qui

My Lightspeed headsets run around 20 hours on a set of batteries.....not exactly a big deal for a recreational flier.

MTV

On A1Skinner's recommendation I went with a PAR200 panel. I love it save for the fact that the tuning knob is a little bit finicky when you are getting bounced around.

There have been times the ability to use my phone while in flight has been invaluable but my ringer's default setting is off whether I'm flying, driving or pretty much any other activity.

I have a super simple setup for listening to music in the air:

https://www.ps-engineering.com/pm3000.shtml

and

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0765NWJS8/

Phone doesn't work, but I don't care about using my phone, I just want some music when on long flights.

I have and love a GMA 345. I stream tunes en route and occasionally use the BT phone on the ground for making calls. If you want it, buy it.

Just because you have the capability to do something doesn’t mean you will. Responsible use is possible. The airplane police are everywhere these days...

I had a PAR200 in my last plane and loved it. It is a great unit. We only used the ability to make phone calls once or twice but had some great times with the whole family listening to tunes piped into our headsets on long cross countries. We also had it setup for “crew” isolation and aux audio so the kids could be in their own zone in the back seat. You’ll love it.

scottf wrote:I had a PAR200 in my last plane and loved it. It is a great unit. We only used the ability to make phone calls once or twice but had some great times with the whole family listening to tunes piped into our headsets on long cross countries. We also had it setup for “crew” isolation and aux audio so the kids could be in their own zone in the back seat. You’ll love it.

Those are the features I really like about it Scott. I can't find another 6 place intercom that gives me the 2 input capability with the option to switch between...

niente qui

This thread is perfect timing, for me, to reveal my total ignorance of all things Bluetooth. So I got my brand new ZULU 3 headset, and of course it has a audio input. So, I plugged in my audio out going from my Sirius sat radio, and it worked, incredible sound quality, but what seemed to be full volume. Then I see the ZULU has 2 sliding controls, (I had not read the owners manual yet) obviously meant for adjusting the volume, but unless that audio is coming via Bluetooth, they don't work. I have, and don't need, or want, an audio panel. I use a portable intercom only when with a passenger. So unless I can get a dock for my Sirius that is Bluetooth capable (I don't even know the right terminology), I'm screwed. Then I saw the device Whee posted about, the "Bluetooth aux adapter"........ Could it be as simple as plugging that thing directly into the Sirius (on the opposite side of the panel from my headset jacks), and then be able to adjust the volume using the designated controls as Lightspeed intended? That seems to good to be true, I got that right?? My old Telex ANR headset had rotary volume knobs on each earcup, so easy peasy to adjust, dirt simple.

I always, unless I have a rare passenger or am going into even a small uncontrolled airstrip, have it on, music and a variety of news or talk programs. Same deal in the crane, 7 hours just today, it was on the entire time. I find it totally non distracting, on the contrary it keeps me alert and engaged, instead of bored out of my mind. I'll answer the phone while flying, but keep it real brief, because it could be my next crane job. Many times I have answered a call, and then a few minutes or an hour later, fly over the construction site I was called from, taken a picture, sent it to them, and then called them back and told them what to move so I could park where I wanted when i drove up. Not talking IFR, on approach, with a passengers here. Driving and talking on the phone, through town, that I have a problem with, and don't do, never had an issue, and want to keep it that way, besides I have a CDL and it's not legal if handheld.

courierguy wrote:This thread is perfect timing, for me, to reveal my total ignorance of all things Bluetooth. So I got my brand new ZULU 3 headset, and of course it has a audio input. So, I plugged in my audio out going from my Sirius sat radio, and it worked, incredible sound quality, but what seemed to be full volume. Then I see the ZULU has 2 sliding controls, (I had not read the owners manual yet) obviously meant for adjusting the volume, but unless that audio is coming via Bluetooth, they don't work. I have, and don't need, or want, an audio panel. I use a portable intercom only when with a passenger. So unless I can get a dock for my Sirius that is Bluetooth capable (I don't even know the right terminology), I'm screwed. Then I saw the device Whee posted about, the "Bluetooth aux adapter"........ Could it be as simple as plugging that thing directly into the Sirius (on the opposite side of the panel from my headset jacks), and then be able to adjust the volume using the designated controls as Lightspeed intended? That seems to good to be true, I got that right?? My old Telex ANR headset had rotary volume knobs on each earcup, so easy peasy to adjust, dirt simple.

I always, unless I have a rare passenger or am going into even a small uncontrolled airstrip, have it on, music and a variety of news or talk programs. Same deal in the crane, 7 hours just today, it was on the entire time. I find it totally non distracting, on the contrary it keeps me alert and engaged, instead of bored out of my mind. I'll answer the phone while flying, but keep it real brief, because it could be my next crane job. Many times I have answered a call, and then a few minutes or an hour later, fly over the construction site I was called from, taken a picture, sent it to them, and then called them back and told them what to move so I could park where I wanted when i drove up. Not talking IFR, on approach, with a passengers here. Driving and talking on the phone, through town, that I have a problem with, and don't do, never had an issue, and want to keep it that way, besides I have a CDL and it's not legal if handheld.

Most Sirius radios also have a volume control built in them. The Zulus hbe sliders for volume, but there is also push buttons for volume IIRC. They are the 2 buttons down by the bluetooth buttons. I thought the sliders were for the radio/music volume and the push buttons were for the bluetooth. Perhaps it's the other way around.

Not mine, no way to change the volume, that's done on whatever device it's hard wired to.

Just found this, other then having one more thing to keep charged, it looks like the simplest way to go. I just want to make sure I don't degrade the audio quality by the wrong device.

http://store.xmfanstore.com/stereo-blue ... a4QAvD_BwE

courierguy wrote:Not mine, no way to change the volume, that's done on whatever device it's hard wired to.

Just found this, other then having one more thing to keep charged, it looks like the simplest way to go. I just want to make sure I don't degrade the audio quality by the wrong device.

http://store.xmfanstore.com/stereo-blue ... a4QAvD_BwE

Ya that looks like a good way to go Tom.

Thanks, just ordered it, 30 bucks with shipping so what the heck. Another new toy.....