Pilot USA PA-400ST: Portable 4-Place Intercom

What does the PA-400ST intercom do?

The Pilot USA PA-400ST is a portable 4-place stereo intercom that connects pilots, crew, and passengers for clear in-cockpit communication. It also supports smartphone and satellite phone connectivity, letting you make or receive calls through the aircraft intercom system. This combination makes it one of the most versatile portable intercoms available for general aviation aircraft.

How many people can use the intercom at once?

The PA-400ST supports up to four occupants simultaneously, covering a pilot and up to three additional crew or passengers. Each position connects via a standard aviation headset jack. This makes it well suited for flight training, family flying, or small charter situations where everyone needs clear two-way audio.

Does it require permanent aircraft modifications?

No. The PA-400ST is a portable, plug-and-play intercom designed for use in any general aviation aircraft without permanent installation or wiring changes. You connect headsets and power, and it is ready to use. This makes it a practical solution if you fly multiple aircraft or rent and want consistent cockpit communications across different planes.

How does the smartphone connectivity work?

The unit includes an enhanced smartphone jack that lets you integrate a modern phone into the intercom audio loop. Once connected, you can hear calls through your headset and speak through the microphone. Satellite phone connectivity is also supported, giving pilots added communication redundancy in areas with limited cellular coverage.

What happens if the power fails?

The PA-400ST features a fail-safe design that keeps headset communication active even if the unit loses power. This built-in redundancy means a dead battery or power interruption will not cut off pilot-to-passenger audio, which is an important safety consideration for any intercom used in flight.

Can I control who hears what?

Yes. The PA-400ST offers selectable communication modes that let you isolate pilot, crew, or all-passenger conversations. This is useful for flight instructors who need to talk privately with a student, or for separating cockpit crew chatter from cabin passengers during a longer flight.

Does it support music or audio recording?

Yes. Dedicated music input and audio output jacks are built in, so you can route entertainment audio through the intercom for all occupants to hear. The output jack also allows connection to a recording device. Volume and blending behavior will depend on how your headsets and the intercom mode are configured.

What power source does the PA-400ST use?

The PA-400ST is a portable unit powered by battery rather than hard-wired to the aircraft bus. The fail-safe design ensures headset audio continues even if power is interrupted. Browse our aircraft intercoms collection for more options.

Who makes the PA-400ST and is it proven in service?

It is made by Pilot USA, a company with over 25 years of innovation in general aviation communication products. That track record gives the PA-400ST strong credibility as a dependable daily-use intercom. It is designed for student pilots, flight instructors, private pilots, and expedition pilots who need reliable cockpit audio in diverse conditions.

Is the PA-400ST a good fit for flight training aircraft?

Yes. Its portable, no-modification design makes it easy to move between training aircraft, and the selectable isolation modes let an instructor communicate privately with a student. The fail-safe audio and satellite phone support are also practical additions for cross-country and remote-area training flights.