mtv wrote:There are NO relatively low cost (ie: $1000) aircraft ELT's that have that feature.

MTV

I didn't think so, but unless I'm wrong my PLB does, of course it's not automatic. I'm still waiting. Surely an ELT shouldn't cost that much more than a PLB? EPIRBS that are automatic, with built in strobe and GPS can be bought for a grand. I think, hope they will come down.

As mentioned before the portable devices need to be manually activated. This might be difficult in an unplanned "Oh Shit" scenario. I have an ACR that I take with me when not in the plane for hiking/camping etc.

I talk to two of my friends today. One flys for US Airways and the other flys a Global Express corporate plane. They both said that corporate and airline pilots monitor 121.5. All started after 9/11. My friend John said that military aircraft monitor 121.5 also.

I'm pretty certain that FAR 121 carriers have been required to monitor 121.5 since I've been flying--1969, not just foreign carriers.

Now, if someone's ELT is screeching away as they pass over at 410, I'd guess they might be tempted to turn the volume down a tad, and it might not get turned back up again....

a64, the difference between an ELT and a PLB is the FAA--tso and then STCs. That certification is a HUGE hassle that the PLB folks don't have to bother with.

Oh, yeah, the G switch

MTV

In an earlier post I mentioned that ACK is supposed to be bring out a lower cost 406 ELT. Today AIrcraft Spruce confirmed that they are taking orders for the ACK E-04 ELT (406 and 121.5 signals). It can be ordered in a retrofit package to replace ACK E-01 and similar ELTs, or in a complete all-parts-included new installation kit. The complete kit includes the Coax cables, panel indicator. audible warning unit and pre-wired harness. The complete kit is priced at $586, substantially lower than anything else out there in an FAA approved, airplane installed unit. Perhaps this is the first move towards active competition to lower the cost of the installed 406 units.

Aircraft Spruce does not yet have this unit in either their hard-copy catalog or in their on-line system. I spoke with Jim Mason at 877-477-7823 Ext 307, who confirmed the part number, price and a delivery date in the first week of November. They are reserving delivery spots and I am second in line, so this must be a recent change (or I am one of only two morons foolish enough to pay $600 for an ELT)

Personally, I plan on carrying a SPOT device so the family can keep tabs on where I'm at, and so I have a manual ability to appropriately summon help. That will be in addition to the installed 406 ELT in the plane. My situtation is somewhat different than many who have chipped in to this discussion as I am finishing an experimental and have to buy some ELT anyway, and my plans definitely include entering Canadian airspace.

Taildown,

Thanks for the info! A SPOT and this ELT would make a good combination without spending a fortune.

Dale

Taildown,

Thanks for the heads up! just got my name on the list. The guy i talked to at Spruce didn't even know they had it. I'm #3 on the list (or the 3rd fool in line)

I wouldn't usually rush out to buy until i had to, but i plan on heading through Canada next spring.

Thanks,

Chris

Chris-

No problem. Let me know when you are headed north. I'd like to think that I'll have the plane finished by then, my test hours flown off and I'd be ready to tag along.

Mark

Mark,

What are you building?

As of now, looking at the 2nd or 3rd week in May. hopefully the weather will have warmed up a bit, but before the bugs and tourists start swarming

If your interested, PM me and i'll keep you posted.

Chris

Chris-

PM Sent

Mark

I bought the larger ACR beacon 2 years ago when they first came out. The unit floats which is a must here in Florida. I know of at least one manufacturer that is tooling up to make an affordable unit by the deadline so hang in until it gets more competitive for the installed units is my plan.

Mark,

PM'd you back, wasen't sure if ya got it.

Chris

I do not think airlines are required to monitor 121.5.

They will monitor it if center requests them to.

flyer

Its not required, but recommended in the AIM. After 911, it became even more popular. Never a bad idea if there is a second receiver doing nothing.

Jack

Some of the Garmins, at least the SL40, can monitor both the active and standby freq. So you can have 121.5 in the standby and press the Mon button and your listening to 121.5 unless someone is transmitting on the primary, then primary is, well primary. There is an indicator on the display that indicates which freq. is being received.

Latest update on the ACK below. I'm waiting for it becasue it is cheaper than the competition and it is almost a slide-in replacement for my current 121.5 ACK (almost because it requires a new antenna.)

ACK E-04 406MHz ELT RELEASE UPDATE 3/04/2009

We have been pushed back by the COSPAS/SARSAT military electronics proving grounds again. We were re-scheduled for March 9th back in February, and now we have just been re-scheduled again. Here is the quote from the lab we received today.

"We are having difficulties in getting our test equipment back to working order. Mid-March is not possible for us to support your testing. Right now it looks more like mid-April. We will keep you posted."

Besides this hold-up we are currently finished with the environmental testing and data submittal packet for the TSO approval on our lithium battery pack for the 406MHz ELT. We are at the final stages of TSO testing for the complete ELT. The last phase consisting of COSPAS/SARSAT testing at the U.S. ARMY electronic proving grounds is now expected to be complete by the end of April. The U.S. ARMY lab will submit a application for COSPAS/SARSAT approval. After that we are ready to submit the final TSO application to the FAA which they have 30 days to approve or reject. We expect to be in production and shipping product by May of 2009. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

We will also be submitting a high speed blade type antenna for COSPAS/SARSAT approval along with our standard 250 knot antenna.

While not a FAR, my airline's direction is to monitor guard enroute, which we do every leg. It may even be in our Flight Ops Manual, which would make it the equivalent of a FAR.