Flight Training - May 2023 - 14

PERSPECTIVES FLIGHT LESSON
HOW IT WORKS
BY DENNIS K JOHNSON
BY IAN J. TWOMBLY
AUDIO PANEL
MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE
THE RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN AIRPLANES HAS
changed drastically in the past few decades. We've gone from
one radio and a handheld microphone and speaker to fully
integrated panels that enable communications, music, aural
alerts, and even adaptive audio.
In the center of this complex ecosystem is the humble audio
panel. Like the stereo in a home audio setup, the audio panel is
the central point through which all functions pass and is how
the pilot controls which radio is transmitting, which is receiving,
and what is being received.
Modern audio panels are highly adaptable and are built with
the flexibility to handle what is installed in each specific aircraft.
In most airplanes you'll find two communications radios and
at least one navigation radio. If the audio panel was built in the
past 20 years, it probably has the ability to transmit on one of
those radios and listen on another. It likely also has the ability
to isolate passenger intercom communications and play music
3
throughout the cabin. Newer models have adaptive audio that
will play different frequencies in different ears, making it easier
to listen on multiple frequencies at one time. Ditto for the intercom,
where different seats in the airplane will come through in
discrete earcups.
For all this capability, audio panels look pretty simple. In a
retrofit installation, the tech will work with the owner to determine
which capabilities are desired, and then will, usually, wire
each function into a Sub-D 44-pin connector. Then it's a matter
of plugging it in, sliding the unit into a tray, and testing it.
With all that functionality and adaptability, each airplane is
unique and requires time to learn in depth. However, in general,
it's good practice to verify you are transmitting and receiving on
the correct radio and that the intercom volume is at a good level.
These two simple things solve most radio problems.
ian.twombly@aopa.org
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1
2
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1. Intercom volume is controlled with the inner knob, and squelch is
controlled with the outer knob.
2. The bottom set of buttons selects which radio the pilot transmits on.
3. On this unit, the top buttons determine which radios are monitored.
Pressing the bottom transmit button automatically selects the
corresponding radio's top button, but second or third radios can be
added to monitor multiple frequencies simultaneously.
4. The isolate function is handy for when your kids are yell-talking into
their microphones and you need to hear and transmit in peace.
5. The top row of buttons selects the nav source to be monitored in order
to verify the Morse code of the navaid, or in the case of the VOR, to
monitor flight service transmissions.
14
FLIGHT TRAINING APRIL 2017
MAY 2023
STEVE KARP

Flight Training - May 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - May 2023

Contents
Flight Training - May 2023 - Intro
Flight Training - May 2023 - Cover1
Flight Training - May 2023 - Cover2
Flight Training - May 2023 - Contents
Flight Training - May 2023 - 2
Flight Training - May 2023 - 3
Flight Training - May 2023 - 4
Flight Training - May 2023 - 5
Flight Training - May 2023 - 6
Flight Training - May 2023 - 7
Flight Training - May 2023 - 8
Flight Training - May 2023 - 9
Flight Training - May 2023 - 10
Flight Training - May 2023 - 11
Flight Training - May 2023 - 12
Flight Training - May 2023 - 13
Flight Training - May 2023 - 14
Flight Training - May 2023 - 15
Flight Training - May 2023 - 16
Flight Training - May 2023 - 17
Flight Training - May 2023 - 18
Flight Training - May 2023 - 19
Flight Training - May 2023 - 20
Flight Training - May 2023 - 21
Flight Training - May 2023 - 22
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Flight Training - May 2023 - 24
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Flight Training - May 2023 - 26
Flight Training - May 2023 - 27
Flight Training - May 2023 - 28
Flight Training - May 2023 - 29
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Flight Training - May 2023 - 33
Flight Training - May 2023 - 34
Flight Training - May 2023 - 35
Flight Training - May 2023 - 36
Flight Training - May 2023 - 37
Flight Training - May 2023 - 38
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Flight Training - May 2023 - 40
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Flight Training - May 2023 - 53
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Flight Training - May 2023 - 55
Flight Training - May 2023 - 56
Flight Training - May 2023 - Cover3
Flight Training - May 2023 - Cover4
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