As many pilots have heard through FAA mailings and talk around the hanger, as of February 1st 2009 satellite coverage of 121.5 will end and only ground based monitoring will take place. NOAA recommends that aircraft owners trade in their old ELT’s for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard digital 406 MHz ELT systems. What does this mean for pilots? Will my distress call ever be heard?
In Layman’s terms:
Aircraft owners are not required to upgrade to the 406 MHz ELT’s. Installing this unit is optional and left solely up to the owner.
However pilots operating with a 243 MHz (121.5) ELT will assume more risk flying in remote areas. In the event of a crash the pilot can only rely on CAP (Civil Air Patrol) to be dispatched assuming a flight plan was on file and the aircraft is now overdue. Or someone is monitoring 121.5 and they call it in. By someone we mean other pilots, during this transition we urge each and every pilot to monitor 121.5 on a standby frequency assuming it is not being used.
For my international flyers a 406 MHz ELT will be required for flights in Canada, Mexico etc.
Conclusion:
The cost of these unit will set the average aircraft owner back 1,000 – 2,000 dollars. But the question still remains, why upgrade something as crucial as an ELT and not make it a mandatory transition? Please keep in mind 121.5 will no longer be monitored to the fullest extent, particularly in remote areas. Always fly with a back up plan and have a frequency ready where you know you can talk to a human in the event of an emergency.
