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121.5 ELt termination

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Fox5flyer
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject: 121.5 ELt termination

In Feb 2009 the Copus-Sarsat will discontinue  monitoring 121.5 ELT signals.  You guys out there who are currently  building might want to re-think installing one of these ELTs.  In less  than 18 months they'll be almost useless.  There is an  alternative.

 I've pasted the FAA notice below.

 Deke Morisse

Mikado Michigan

S5/Subaru/CAP  355+ TT



  	  Quote: 	
		  Termination of 121.5 MHz Beacons for Satellite Alerting is Coming Soon

Notice Number: NOTC0981



On 1 February 2009, the International Cospas-Sarsat[1] Organization (U.S.

included) will terminate processing of distress signals emitted by 121.5 MHz

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs). This means that pilots flying aircraft

equipped with 121.5 MHz ELTs after that date will have to depend on pilots of

over flying aircraft and or ground stations monitoring 121.5 to hear and report

distress alert signals, transmitted from a possible crash site. 



Why is this happening?



Although lives have been saved by 121.5 MHz ELTs, the downside has been their

propensity to generate false alerts (approximately 98 percent of all 121.5 MHz

alerts are false), and their failure to provide rescue forces with timely and

accurate crash location data. Both of which actually delay rescue efforts and

have a direct effect on an individual's chance for survival.Rescue forces have

to respond to all 121.5 MHz alerts to determine if they are real distress alerts

or if they are being generated by an interferer, an inadvertent activation (by

the owner) or equipment failure. 



Is there an alternative?



Yes, the Cospas-Sarsat System (U.S. included) has been and will continue

processing emergency signals transmitted by 406 MHz ELTs. These 5 Watt digital

beacons transmit a much stronger signal, are more accurate, verifiable and

traceable to the registered beacon owner (406 MHz ELTs must be registered by the

owner in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation).

Registration allows the search and rescue authorities to contact the beacon

owner, or his or her designated alternate by telephone to determine if a real

emergency exists. Therefore, a simple telephone call often solves a 406 MHz

alerts without launching costly and limited search and rescue resources, which

would have to be done for a 121.5 MHz alert. For these reasons, the search and

rescue community is encouraging aircraft owners to consider retrofit of 406 MHz

ELTs or at a minimum, consider the purchase of a handheld 406 MHz Personal

Locator Beacon (PLB) which can be carried in the cockpit whil

 e continuing to maintain a fixed 121.5 MHz ELT mounted in the aircraft's tail. 



Remember, after February 1, 2009, the world-wide Cospas-Sarsat satellite system

will no longer process 121.5 MHz alert signals. Pilots involved in aircraft

accidents in remote areas will have to depend on pilots of over flying aircraft

and or ground stations to hear emergency ELT distress signals. For further

information concerning the termination of 121.5 MHz data processing visit

www.sarsat.noaa.gov

[1] The Cospas-Sarsat Organization provides a satellite based world-wide

monitoring system that detects and locates distress signals transmitted by

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), Emergency Position Indicating Radio

Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs). The system includes space

and ground segments which process the signals received from the beacon source

and forwards the distress alert data to the appropriate RescueCoordinationCenter

for action. 	


  

   [quote][b]

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: 121.5 ELt termination

This is how I understand things.  I talked to my local fsdo and was told that we can not use a 406 portable as our primary.  These are around 600dollars.  I will be having two airplanes.  So my problem is, I don't want to spend big bucks to have two planes with a 406 that is certified for the airplane, generally 1500 dollars each.  So I asked if I put in the old ELT system and buy a portable will that work.  He said yes it will.  So if you want to save some bucks and have a system that WORKS, than buy a portable 406 which is registered under the user, and retain the old ELT system for satifying the regs.  That's my plan anyway.

jconnell(at)fmwildblue.co
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:34 am Post subject: 121.5 ELT Termination

I have a Kitfox-II with the current 121.5 MHz  ELT.  

              

 My wife and I are also building an RV-9A.   

         

 I'd like to be  able to move a new 406 MHz ELT back and forth  between the aircraft.  I understand both the 121.5 and 406 units  can use the same switch box on the instrument  panel (marketing literature from ACK indicates this.)  

       

 If the new ELT is registered with the FCC, I  wonder if it can reflect both aircraft.   I'm afraid I'm looking at two new  ELTs...

  

 Joe Connell

  

   [quote][b]

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:17 am Post subject: Re: 121.5 ELt termination

Like me, I have the same situation.  That's why I'm going with the portable unit.  The same unit a mountain climber uses. Much cheaper and it gets put on you.  You keep the 121.5 ELT to satisfy the regs.

torgemor(at)online.no
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:34 am Post subject: 121.5 ELT Termination

Hi Joe,



the "new standard" the 406 Mhz ELT's, transmit your aircraft ID. One of  

the brand (Cannad), have the ID strapping inside the mounting tray or in  

the aircraft connector that's connected to the ELT.  I.E. when moving the  

ELT to the other craft the ID will still be unique for that aircraft.



Just make sure that your selected brand can do that.



A binary number is generated from your aircraft ID, this is the code  

that's strapped inside the aircraft connector, your name is registered and  

connected directly to this binary number. When an ELT is "chiming",  

they'll know the aircraft and who to contact.

Torgeir.





On Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:33:09 +0200, Joe & Jan Connell  

<jconnell(at)fmwildblue.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I have a Kitfox-II with the current 121.5 MHz ELT.

 My wife and I are also building an RV-9A.

 I'd like to be able to move a new 406 MHz ELT back and forth between the  

 aircraft.  I understand both the 121.5 and 406 units can use the same  

 switch box on the instrument panel (marketing literature from ACK  

 indicates this.)

 If the new ELT is registered with the FCC, I wonder if it can reflect  

 both aircraft.  I'm afraid I'm looking at two new ELTs...



 Joe Connell


	


-- 

Torgeir



Kitfox Model II, 1993

Engine: Rotax 532 with B gearbox

Propeller: IVO UL 366Q



Tromsoe

NORWAY.



Weather in Tromso right now:

http://met.no/troms/index.html



City map of Tromso:



http://www.avinor.no/English/Airports/Tromso_Airport/?module=Articles;action=ArticleFolder.publicOpenFolder;ID=1453



Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

Rhino

Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Xenia, Ohio

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:18 am Post subject: Re: 121.5 ELt termination

 	  kitfoxmike wrote: 	
		  So my problem is, I don't want to spend big bucks to have two planes with a 406 that is certified for the airplane, generally 1500 dollars each. 	
They're down around $1,000 now, such as the one below, and they will eventually be going lower. The question is, how low will they go before February of 2009?



http://www.skygeek.com/455-6605.html

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 10:50 am Post subject: Re: 121.5 ELt termination

I like it. saving the info. thanks

Rhino

Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Xenia, Ohio

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:02 am Post subject: Re: 121.5 ELt termination

 	  kitfoxmike wrote: 	
		  So if you want to save some bucks and have a system that WORKS, than buy a portable 406 which is registered under the user, and retain the old ELT system for satifying the regs.  That's my plan anyway. 	
The plot may be thickening...



 	  Quote: 	
		  September 5, 2007



NTSB Wants Better ELTs in Aircraft 



The FAA should require that all emergency locator transmitters in general aviation aircraft must be upgraded, the NTSB said (PDF) on Wednesday...... 	
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/NTSB_WantsBetterELTs_196080-1.html



There's more at the link. I didn't want to run afoul of any copyright claims.

akanka(at)kiamichiwb.org
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:28 pm Post subject: 121.5 ELt termination

Sounds reasonable to do what you're doing.  However, I got a sneaky

suspicion that The FAR's will probably be revised just about December 2008.

They will somehow manage to cost everybody a bunch of money.

John Hart



--

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject: 121.5 ELt termination

At 10:18 AM 9/7/2007, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  They're down around $1,000 now, such as the one below, and they will 

eventually be going lower. The question is, how low will they go 

before February of 2009?


	


As with all digital hardware, you wait until the very last second, 

lest they come out with either a drastic improvement of a drastic 

price reduction. Of course, if I were buying an ELT now, I guess it 

would be a 406. (Although the 121.5 units are probably getting pretty 

cheap on the used market right about now.)





Guy Buchanan

San Diego, CA

K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:48 am Post subject: 121.5 ELt termination

Kitfox Mike sez:



 	  Quote: 	
		  That's why I'm going with the portable unit. The same unit a 

mountain climber uses. Much cheaper and it gets put on you. You keep 

the 121.5 ELT to satisfy the regs.


	


And since they must be activated manually, it's useless if you are 

rendered unconscious in an accident.  Do you value your life so 

little that you are willing to risk that to save a few bucks?  If you 

rely on the 121.5 MHz ELT for these situations you should be aware 

that it will add hours (or more) to the time required for searchers 

to reach you, assuming the unit works at all.  In the case of my 

accident, I would have been dead by the time they found me.



I have a portable Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) 

in the plane also, but I would never rely on that alone.  The new 

'fox will have a 406 MHz ELT when it is completed.



Mike G.

N728KF

Phoenix, AZ

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