What do you do when an aircraft has plenty of life left, but the technology onboard comes from another era? It’s a challenge airlines operating older fleets know well. Aircraft can remain safe, reliable, and valuable for decades, while the technologies that support individual onboard systems gradually disappear from everyday use.
PRAM (Pre-Recorded Announcement and Music) systems are one example. Some still rely on audio cassettes, PCMCIA flashcards and other specialist media formats. There may be nothing wrong with the system itself; it simply needs content in a format that fewer and fewer suppliers are equipped to provide. So when a safety announcement needs updating, another language needs to be added, or passenger messaging changes, the challenge isn’t always what to say; it’s getting that content onto the aircraft in a format it can actually use.
It’s one of the less visible realities of keeping legacy aircraft flying.
However, in many cases, the technology doesn’t need replacing. It just needs the right support.
Specialist Support for Legacy PRAM Systems
This is where decades of experience with PRAM technology make a difference.
Having supported airlines for more than 50 years, Stellar has worked through generations of PRAM systems and media. Along the way, we’ve retained the specialist equipment and technical knowledge needed to continue working with formats that are now increasingly difficult to source.
It’s an area our specialist team knows well. Whether it’s producing replacement media or determining the right format for a particular system, much of the work comes down to experience, knowledge of the technology, and still having the equipment to work with it.
Yes, That Includes Cassettes
Cassettes may have disappeared from most of our everyday lives, but in aviation, they still have a job to do. That’s why Stellar continues to produce PRAM cassettes for systems including the RD-AX7308.
Flashcards are another important part of the picture. Stellar has continuously supplied PRAM flashcards for more than 30 years, from PCMCIA flashcards and adapters for older systems through to Compact Flash. Our capabilities include RD-AX7360, RD-AX7673, RD-AX7675, and RD-AX7370 flashcards; Airbus iPRAM Z163H and Z165H; Becker systems; and RD-AX7095 CDI, alongside other specialist formats.
And if those names don’t mean much to you, that’s okay. Airlines don’t necessarily need to know the exact media, encoding or configuration they require before getting in touch. Often, the aircraft and system details are enough for our specialists to identify what’s needed and take it from there.
Formats We Support
|
RD-AX7308 cassettes PCMCIA flashcards PCMCIA flashcard adapters Compact Flash |
RD-AX7360 flashcards RD-AX7673 flashcards RD-AX7675 flashcards RD-AX7370 flashcards |
Airbus iPRAM Z163H Airbus iPRAM Z165H Becker systems RD-AX7095 CDI |
Other specialist formats available on request. |
What Passengers Hear Matters Most
Of course, getting the format right is only half the job. What passengers hear is what matters most.
Every announcement needs to be clear, accurate and appropriate for the audience onboard. Stellar’s service covers the full audio production process, from script preparation and translation to voice casting, recording and editing in our award-winning studios. Once the audio is approved, it moves to our in-house PRAM specialists for encoding and production in the format required by the aircraft.
Bringing the audio and technical sides together is particularly valuable for mixed fleets. One aircraft might require cassette media, another PCMCIA, while newer aircraft use Compact Flashcards. Whatever the technology onboard, the priority remains the same: delivering the right message clearly to passengers.
Our Airline Partners
DEAN FENNER
Fleet Engineer IFE, Virgin Australia
We rely on Stellar Entertainment to support our aircraft PRAM flashcard requirements. They manage the purchasing of the flashcards and ensure the correct files are loaded across the different flashcard variants we use. The team is consistently reliable, responsive and delivers what we need within the required timeframe.
They’re always approachable and quick to help, particularly when we have an urgent request or need support resolving an issue. Their attention to detail, technical knowledge and dependable support give us confidence that our PRAM requirements are in good hands.
SIDDHARTH PATEL
Assistant Manager Product, Akasa Air
Our experience working with Stellar Entertainment on PRAM over the past few years has been excellent. The team consistently demonstrates professionalism, flexibility and a strong understanding of what we need, making Stellar a trusted partner.
They are responsive, approachable and always committed to finding the right solutions for us. We greatly value the partnership we have built with Stellar and look forward to working together for many more years.
Working with an older aircraft?
Stellar supports airlines worldwide with PRAM requirements across a wide range of aircraft, systems, and media formats.
If your aircraft still has years of service ahead of it, its PRAM system shouldn’t stand in the way. Whether you need updated announcements, replacement media or help identifying what an older system requires, our specialists can help.
Reach out to our team to see how we can support your fleet.
For any business inquiries, feel free to reach out through our contact page or email us at hello@stellargroup.com.
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