Can you still use a 121.5 MHz ELT?
The vast majority of Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) in operation today are based on 1950s technology. Back in February 2009, satellite monitoring of 121.5 and 243 MHz ELT signals was terminated.
What does that mean for you?
To help answer those questions – and more — WINGsReality EDU is holding a WINGS seminar Jan. 17, 2018, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time.
The seminar will be offered live at the company’s campus in Orono, Maine, but space is limited to 20 participants. It also will be offered over the Internet as a webinar.
Cost is free for those attending live. Cost for online attendees is $6.95.
Led by Michael Lessard, the seminar will cover the capabilities and limitations of both the old and new systems, and what you can expect for performance. What are the rules? Can I still fly with my old 121.5 MHz ELT? Is this going to be expensive?
Those attending will get two WINGS credits for Basic Knowledge Topics. To receive WINGs credits for this seminar, you must enroll using the same email address that you have on file at FAASafety.gov, officials note.
Pre-registration is required. You can enroll in the seminar here.
Being against an ELT is like being against a seat belt or any other safety gadget we equip our planes with…in other words, you don’t need the gear until you need it.
I know you live in the world where “if it saves ONE LIFE it’s worth any cost” but most of us don’t. Seat belts and shoulder harnesses will be far more likely to be of some advantage to you than an ELT. Unless you’re doing a lot of flying in the wilds of Alaska, Canada or even parts of the American West your ADS-B out is far more likely to locate your position than an ELT. I say again, show me the data where ELT’s are used to locate actual downed aircraft, not theoretical downed aircraft or to locate a target in practice conditions. The FACT is they seldom work in GA aircraft and it doesn’t matter what frequency they transmit on.
I’d like to see some actual data on the number of GA accident sites located due to the use of ELT’s of any kind. My bet is there are almost none. The ELT requirement is silly and worring about how you can be found if you don’t have one, new or old, falls into the “sky is falling” category .