Looks like Transport Canada has settled on the language for the final legislation that will require an ELT that transmits on both 121.5 and 406 for all aircraft flying in Canadian airspace regardless of where they are registered. According to COPA they have worded it such that the cheaper means of compliance have been eliminated. The law has not yet been adopted and will have a 2 or 3 year compliance time frame.

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?Cont ... 72541f72d&

I had a 406 ELT installed this year. The satellites aren't monitering 121.5 anymore so an old ELT signal might never be heard. I fly over some pretty remote area and the old ELT was just dead weight so I replaced it with a new one. The cost was not welcomed, but now I have some peace of mind and know that my plane will comply with the new regs here in Canada. Canadian pilots have been urged to moniter 121.5 just in case an older ELT goes off somewhere near their route.

Knowing that ELTs often fail to transmit in an accident if the plane sinks or flips over on its back it might be a good idea to carry a backup such as a Spot or similar device. Heres to hoping that none of them ever get used.

I am thinking of a trip to BC this year in the 182. I still have the 121.5 ELT. Looks like I am still legal. But what have you Canadians done so far to comply with the upcoming new regs?

Tim

I bit the bullet last year, when clearing the panel of the old ADF and Loran. Most in my area are waiting until the last minute. I want what ever help is available, this country is all bush and water. Steve

Exactly what did you install and rough costs and what would you have done different.

Tim

Tim,
I'm still on the waiting list for the new ACK E-04 406MHZ ELT. If and when it finally gets its FAA approval, it's supposed to sell for under 600.00 complete. Thats about half the price of the current units that are available. Won't help if you need one now of crash in the mean-time, but 1000.00 or better for what's available now just ain't in the budget even though i'm flying the wilds of Alaska. For now, i'm carring a fastfind and using a SPOT .

Chris

Just checked their site. They are still awaiting approval. This does look loke a good product to wait for.

I am assuming that I can go to BC with what I have-121.5

Tim

Yep,
Just made another trip the end of April with a 121.5 ELT. I want to get a 406 when the price comes down, much better chance of getting found, but it will have to wait for now.

Chris

From the ACK site. Must be frustrating to work with govmt.



June 3rd 2010

On March 15th we received an E-mail reply from COSPAS stating the “only issue remaining” was a procedural change by our oscillator manufacturer RAKON that reflected the proper stability limit characteristics. We followed their suggestion, changed the limits, and part number, then submitted this data to COSPAS to meet their requirements. COSPAS said the current draw retesting was done and successful, and they were awaiting the final lab report to finally wrap this up, and get our certification. In late April COSPAS decided after reviewing the lab results that they had concerns about how the testing was done at the lab, and decided to re-review earlier data that was a previously closed matter. Upon examining their earlier approved test data, COSPAS decided there were some discrepancies regarding how the testing was performed. COSPAS then decided we need to go back, and retest several aspects. These matters had been closed nearly 8 months ago and deemed acceptable. Approximately two and a half weeks ago COSPAS discovered that the lab had damaged the test ELT (Installed battery backwards reversing polarity.) and not reported this to COSPAS. It has been over 13 months since we delivered the ELT to the military lab, for what we were quoted to be a 6 week process. The military lab currently doing the testing is the only lab (COSPAS certified) we can use in the western hemisphere. This whole experience dealing with COSPAS and the Military lab has been extremely frustrating to say the least. We are awaiting a response from COSPAS as to what we need to do to complete this process.

On the bright side, Consumer Aviation has given us a “Gear of the Year” award for the E-04!


Tim

Yep,
Been following this for over a year and a half i've been on the waiting list. I could go on a rampage about government "efficiency" but i don't want the thread to end up in hot air. Makes you proud though
Chris

Why are you waiting for ACK when you can get this now

http://www.avionicsinternational.com/pr ... 9&id=54894

Looks like the same thing and Avionics International has them in stock for $870 pluss shipping.

Tim

The unit I have is a Artex ME 406 P. I could not find the invoice for the unit, so have no guess as to price. At the time of installation, I told the avionics shop I wanted a good unit that was approved by Transport Canada and that is what I got. Not sure what I would change. Not as much fun as a new GPS, but if it is needed, the money will have been well spend. Steve

slowhawk wrote:Yep,
Been following this for over a year and a half i've been on the waiting list. I could go on a rampage about government "efficiency" but i don't want the thread to end up in hot air. Makes you proud though
Chris

So... I wonder how every other company managed to get their units through the military and COSPAS testing gauntlet and approved over a year ago?

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.

I too was waiting on the ACK unit. I have the E-01 analog so it would have been a slide in replacement w/ an antenna change. But now I've decided that I've waited long enough and you get what you pay for.

The Airtex folks sell a little adapter so that you can utilize the existing ACK phone cable to link their unit with their little control panel. Makes the retrofit as easy as it would have been if/when the ACK 406 model became available. My Airtex should be here any day.

BTW you guys in Canada can buy the ACK now.

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:

slowhawk wrote:Yep,

BTW you guys in Canada can buy the ACK now.

If the Canadian boys install the ACK, is it legal for them in the states.

Tim

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:

slowhawk wrote:BTW you guys in Canada can buy the ACK now.

I believe this is incorrect, here is the list of approved ELT's right from Transport Canada's website (scroll part way down) and the only ACK ELT it lists as approved is the E-01.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/certification/elt.htm