Purpose: This document sets forth the basic recommended characteristics for a new generation Passenger Address Amplifier (PA AMP) System specifically designed for installation in commercial-type aircraft using ARINC 600 installation practices. This equipment will accept signals from microphones located at the various flight crew stations and tape reproducers for amplification and distribution through the aircraft loudspeaker system and the sidetone circuits associated with the microphones. In addition, the amplifier includes circuitry for generating and control of electronic chime signals and provisions for an auxiliary amplifier module which may be used to operate separate loudspeakers installed for the sole use of the cabin attendants. It will describe the desired operation capability of the equipment and the standards necessary to ensure interchangeability.

Equipment manufacturers should note that this document encourages them to produce maintenance-free, high performance equipment rather than that of minimum weight and size. They are at liberty to accomplish this objective by means of the techniques they consider to be the most appropriate. Their airline customers are interested primarily in the end result rather than the means employed to achieve it.