I need ELT Installed NOW -BUT 02/01/2009 is only 29 MONTHS

[MoonlightVFR]

My NARCO ELT 10 just disappeared . The mounting tray is empty.

Purchased new Ameriking Ak-450 .. Never installed. Still in box.

I have tried to search for current feelings/ activity on forums but don't come up with answers.


What shall I do? Are there any 170's w the new 406 ELT installed? If so what brand? Where was installation made in airframe?


I searched looking for an old ELT10 thinking I could just purchase
a new battery and have old unit tapped w rubber mallet to demo functionaltiy. This is probably just wrong reasoning on the subject.

Please advise.

[GAHorn]

Here's the way I understand the rule:
Installing the ACK Elt should not pose a problem...as long as it continues to work without service other than battery replacements. When it becomes unserviceable...after the drop-dead date,...then it may not be repaired for reinstallation. In other words, the old-style ELT's are eligible for continued service and are grandfathered in Part 91 useage...until they require repair. Then they must not be reinstalled....they must be replaced with the 409 Elts.

[JTS]

Hey MoonlightVFR, I know it's probably obvious, but did your mechanic reinstall the ELT after it's last recertification . Just a thought.

Jody

[MoonlightVFR]

Thank you for the reply.

Yes the same mech had checked the elt / new battery on prior basis.

This time he stated, " There was no ELT in tray when airplane came into shop."

I was totally oblivious to the changes about to happen w regard to ELTs.

I have had one person suggest that I install a new 121.5 ELT now and see what happens in 2009 . Grandfather clause?

regards,
gradyb

[jrenwick]

If I had to buy an ELT today, here's how I'd think about the choices:

1. For the time being, we have a choice between the old TSO-C91a (121.5 MHz) models, and the new TSO-C126 (406 MHz) models.
2. You can buy an old-style one, and use it for as long as it keeps working.
3. The prices on the new ones may come down if you wait to buy one. They seem to be dropping below $1K now (http://www.artex.net/me406.html).
4. The advantages of 406MHz:
a. SAR organizations will respond much faster to a 406MHz signal. There are so many false alerts on 121.5 that they wait until they have independent confirmation that someone is missing before they go looking.
b. The 406 signal identifies your aircraft, so they know right away who they're looking for, and can follow up with the contact information you give when the ELT is registered.
c. The 406MHz signal is stronger, and locates you more accurately than 121.5. It should take less SAR time to find you.

So I guess it all depends on what kind of flying you do, and how important you think ELTs are for safety. For some, I'm sure it's worth getting the new one now. Here's what the Air Force has to say about it:

http://www.acc.af.mil/shared/media/docu ... 05-037.doc

Best Regards,

John

[MoonlightVFR]

John

Thank you for the info I read a.b. c. and I think most of us will think yes I am worth 750.00 extra.

I clicked on the link and was futher informed and surprised that the ELT
organizational responsibilty was ultimately with the UNITED NATIONS.
Wow ! Blue helmets.
I want protection but seems a waiting game has developed.

regards,
gradyb

[jrenwick]

Yep! It's a waiting game.

Related to false alerts on 121.5, one of them was a factor in the famous Washington D.C. ADIZ violation by a Cessna 150 that forced the evacuation of the White House and US Capitol in May of 2005. The whole amazing story is here (you have to be an AOPA member): http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot ... t0601.html. If you haven't read it, you should. (If you aren't an AOPA member, join now!)

Someone in the helicopter held up a sign that clearly said on it "121.5." Sheaffer, who said he knew immediately that 121.5 MHz was the emergency frequency, tuned it in.

"All that we hear is a beeping sound like a garbage truck backing up," said Martin. "So we try to listen in between. Do we hear a voice behind that? And there is nothing except the beeping. And so Jim broadcast on that frequency, communicating that we are Two-Six-Golf and we see the Black Hawk, and [we] ask them, 'What do you want us to do?' We wait and hear nothing other than the beeping."

There's gotta be a better way than having a zillion shock-activated transmitters armed to block the emergency frequency!

John

[Curtis Brown]

Moonlight,
At last annual I put the new type in... I still have the old one if it is of use to you. I think it is a Narco. You want me to look?

[trake]

Does the new type require an external antenna? It would be nice to be rid of it.
The United Nations in charge of rescueing Americans?-dont see any problems with that

[N2540V]

Someone in the helicopter held up a sign that clearly said on it "121.5." Sheaffer, who said he knew immediately that 121.5 MHz was the emergency frequency, tuned it in.

<snip>

There's gotta be a better way than having a zillion shock-activated transmitters armed to block the emergency frequency!

Actually, the Homeland Security Helicopter then held up a second frequency and it did not work either. I have been told that Homeland Security did not maintain the electrical static in the helicopter and their radio was TU.

If they can hold up a frequency, they can hold up a follow me sign.

[jrenwick]

Someone in the helicopter held up a sign that clearly said on it "121.5." Sheaffer, who said he knew immediately that 121.5 MHz was the emergency frequency, tuned it in.

<snip>

There's gotta be a better way than having a zillion shock-activated transmitters armed to block the emergency frequency!

Actually, the Homeland Security Helicopter then held up a second frequency and it did not work either. I have been told that Homeland Security did not maintain the electrical static in the helicopter and their radio was TU.

If they can hold up a frequency, they can hold up a follow me sign.

Yeah, the AOPA source I linked to above made that point as well. Sure makes interesting reading on the subject of aviation security, doesn't it?

John

[N2540V]

There I was........I was waiting for an appointment with a representative from another state when the alarm went off.

It was a madhouse with everybody heading out.
I slowed down my stairwell so that everybody did not trample the people ahead of them. It worked pretty good, but some young teenagers squeezed past me - they have been brought up on fear.

Everybody was standing about 100 feet from the building and watching.
It was an accident waiting to happen.

I walked several blocks away and took a cab back to my hotel.
It was going to take hours to get the people back in through the metal detectors. I decided to go do something constructive since the rest of my appointments for the day were toast.

It was such a joke......