ELT Maintenance and Certification

ELT Certification – Regulatory Requirement

CAR Standard 625, Appendix C –Out of Phase Tasks and Equipment Maintenance Requirements

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)

ELT’s shall be inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months, in accordance with CAR Standard 571, Appendix G.

ELT batteries shall be replaced at intervals recommended by the ELT manufacturer.

** February 1, 2009 is quickly approaching**

Are you Ready?

Regulatory Update Aircraft Electronics Association

Transport Canada Provides Update on Regulation and Exemptions for Installation of 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters

As previously reported in Avionics News magazine, amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) currently are being processed to go to effect February 1, 2009. A phased-in approach is to be taken, which would be enabled by publication of an exemption. The proposed regulation currently are worded such that all Canadians aircraft operating internationally and domestically would be required to carry a 406 MHz ELT or an alternate ELD (emergency locator device) system, except those specifically excluded, such as ultra-lights, training operations with in 25 nm of an airport, flight tests, parachute operations, etc. These exclusions are the same as currently provided under the existing CAR’s. Internationally registered aircraft operating in Canadian airspace would be subject to the same requirements.

The exemption would provide relief until the first annual or 100-hour inspection in the second year following introduction of the 406 MHz ELT requirement for existing operators who do not fly north of 55 (when west of 80) or north of the 50 (when east of 80).

The exemption would not apply to imported aircraft or aircraft that changed ownership. The exemption also applies to U.S. operators who operate in the areas described – because or the wording of the exemption, in their case (the description of the annual inspection), They would get a full two years before compliance is required.

February 1, 2009: The Phase-out of 121.5 MHz Beacons for Satellite Distress Alerting

In October 2000 the International Cospas-Sarsat Program, announced at its 25th Council Session held in London, UK that it plans to terminate satellite processing of distress signals from 121.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons on February 1, 2009. All mariners, aviators, and individuals using emergency beacons on those frequencies will need to switch to those operating on the newer, more reliable, digital 406 MHz frequency if they want to be detected by satellites.

The decision to stop satellite processing of 121.5 / 243 MHz signals is due to problems in this frequency band which inundate search and rescue authorities with poor accuracy and numerous false alerts, adversely impacting the effectiveness of lifesaving services. Although the 406 MHz beacons cost more at the moment, they provide search and rescue agencies with more reliable and complete information to do their job more efficiently and effectively. The Cospas-Sarsat Program made the decision to terminate 121.5/243 MHz satellite alerting services, in part, in response to guidance from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These two agencies of the United Nations are responsible for regulating the safety on international transits of ships and aircraft, respectively, and handling international standards and plans for maritime and aviation search and rescue. More than 180 nations are members of IMO and ICAO.

NOAA, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA (the four Federal Agencies who manage, operate, and use the SARSAT system) are strongly advising users of 121.5/243 MHz beacons to make the switch to 406. Meanwhile, anyone planning to buy a new distress beacon may wish to take the Cospas-Sarsat decision into account.

Around the world...around the clock...NOAA proudly stands watch. As an integral part of worldwide search and rescue, NOAA operates the Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) System to detect and locate mariners, aviators, and recreational enthusiasts in distress almost anywhere in the world at anytime and in almost any condition. The SARSAT system uses NOAA satellites in low-earth and geostationary orbits to detect and locate aviators, mariners, and land-based users in distress. The satellites relay distress signals from emergency beacons to a network of ground stations and ultimately to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) in Suitland, Maryland. The USMCC processes the distress signal and alerts the appropriate search and rescue authorities to who is in distress and, more importantly, where they are located. Truly, SARSAT takes the "search" out of search and rescue!