One of the universal attractions of flying is the personal freedom it gives us to get out and explore the world. Whether we’re headed to a favorite camping spot deep in the woods of Maine, want to bask on an island in the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean or are planning an adventure somewhere in the snow-covered mountains of Idaho, a light airplane can take us places other travelers can only imagine.
But planning a flight far from the bustle of civilization poses additional risks, even for the most experienced of outdoor explorers. Steve Fossett is a prime example. The famed serial adventurer made five nonstop circumnavigations of the Earth — as a balloonist, a sailor and, in 2005 at the controls of the Burt Rutan-designed Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, a pilot. While it’s true Fossett owned a Swiss Breitling Emergency watch with a built-in satellite distress transmitter, he wasn’t wearing it when he crashed in a Bellanca Super Decathalon high in the Sierra Nevada in September 2007.
There’s no way of knowing whether Fossett could have survived the crash, but investigators believe that his Decathlon’s emergency locator transmitter (an older ELT with a reputation for failing to activate on impact) never transmitted a distress signal. Without his trusty Breitling strapped to his wrist, there’s little chance Fossett could have found help in the rugged and remote terrain, which rose to an elevation of around 10,000 feet. Had he lived through the initial crash wearing his emergency watch, rescuers might have reached his location the same day.
Personal locator beacons have been around for decades, but only in the last 10 years have satellite-based PLBs been approved for public use in the United States. Operating on a frequency of 406 MHz (the same as the latest satellite-based ELTs), PLBs transmit distress signals to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center on the Florida Panhandle through the international COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network. Not only will your signal alert rescuers that you are in trouble, but it will also tell them where to look — anywhere on the globe.
The great news is that the latest PLBs are smaller, lighter and less expensive than ever. These days, rescuers will also probably arrive at your location calling you by name. That’s because when you buy a PLB, you must register it with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. When you do so, NOAA links your personal information to a unique 15-digit identification number. This way, not only will search-and-rescue personnel know who you are, they’ll also have important information about you, such as any medical conditions.
Once activated, a standard PLB sends out two signals. One is the 406 MHz signal received by the satellites overhead. This will allow rescuers to get within about two miles of your location. The searchers can then home in on your exact position by listening for your PLB’s 121.5 MHz signal (which, as you probably know, is the same signal transmitted by older-style ELTs). Using these two techniques, the average time for rescue personnel to determine your location should average about 45 minutes.
For a much faster response, a PLB with an internal GPS interface can guide rescuers to within feet of your position. Best of all, they’ll know exactly where you are within a few minutes of receiving your distress signal. Many PLBs also include built-in LED lights and sirens to help you signal rescuers headed to your location.
When researching which PLB to buy, there’s no reason to choose an aviation-specific model. In fact, there’s really no such thing. You’re better off selecting a unit based on features and battery life. COSPAS-SARSAT rules require all approved PLBs to operate for a minimum of 24 hours after activation, but there are two battery classes. Class 1 heavy-duty batteries must be able to transmit for 24 hours at -40 degrees Fahrenheit while Class 2 batteries must transmit for 24 hours at -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The good news is that at warmer temperatures (say, 70 degrees), a PLB’s long-lasting lithium batteries will likely perform for twice as long. And some top models include batteries that are designed to transmit continuously for five days or more.
As far as features, there are a surprising number of extra capabilities available in the newest satellite locators, including the ability in some units to send text messages. You’ll pay additional subscription and airtime fees for these services, but it can be great to be able to send a message to loved ones letting them know you’re OK. Also keep in mind that your satellite locator, unlike an approved PLB, must be in line of sight with the commercial provider’s satellites for these units to work. All PLBs are designed to be waterproof, but keep in mind that they don’t all float. If you’ll be flying over water, you might want to invest in a marine distress beacon, which will automatically float in an upright position and activate on coming into contact with water. You can also connect a standard PLB to a life vest or raft and transmit an appropriate distress signal, even if the device is under water. Several PLB models float, but be sure to check the specifications before you buy.
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ACR ResQLink**
ACR’s ResQLink is a good basic PLB with all the features you’ll need for ensuring rescuers reach you quickly when you need them. In addition to the unit’s 406 and 121.5 MHz transmitters, the ResQLink also includes an internal 66-channel GPS interface, a bright LED emergency strobe and a good lithium battery. More Information Here
Price: $280
406 and 121.5 MHz: Yes
Internal GPS: Yes
LED strobe light: Yes
Floats: No
Battery life: 30 hours
Subscription fee: None
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ACR AquaLink View**
The ACR AquaLink View PLB is similar to the company’s ResQLink unit with one notable exception: This one floats. If you want a PLB for over-water flying, ensuring that the unit doesn’t end up at the bottom of the lake or ocean you’re floating in is a good idea. Make sure you invest in a life jacket or raft too. More Information Here
Price: $370
406 and 121.5 MHz: Yes
Internal GPS: Yes
LED strobe light: Yes
Floats: Yes
Battery life: 30 hours
Subscription fee: None
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DeLorme Two-Way Satellite Communicator**
The DeLorme Two-Way Satellite Communicator isn’t an approved PLB, yet it’s more than just a satellite emergency locator. The unit uses Iridium satellites instead of the COSPAS-SARSAT network to broadcast its position to emergency personnel. That allows it to send and receive text and email messages and track and share your location with friends and family. Coverage is global, including at the poles, and annual subscription fees apply. More Information Here
Price: $299
406 and 121.5 MHz: No
Internal GPS: Yes
LED strobe light: No
Floats: No
Battery life: 100+ hours
Subscription fee: $120/year
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GME Accusat 410G**
This is one of the larger and heavier PLBs we’ve seen, but it comes with a battery that can go seven years before needing to be changed (two years longer than most) and a big, bright emergency strobe light. Two versions are offered, one with an internal GPS receiver and one without. Both versions float. More Information Here
Price: $465-$595
406 and 121.5 MHz: Yes
Internal GPS: Optional
LED strobe light: Yes
Floats: Yes
Battery life: 24 hours
Subscription fee: None
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Kannad Fast Find 220 GPS**
Here’s another basic PLB worth considering. It includes an internal 50-channel GPS interface, a bright SOS flashing light and a carrying pouch that allows the unit to float. When not inside the pouch, the Fast Find 220 is a slim unit that can easily fit in a shirt pocket or a flight bag. More Information Here
Price: $395
406 and 121.5 MHz: Yes
Internal GPS: Yes
LED strobe light: Yes
Floats: Yes (with pouch)
Battery life: 24 hours
Subscription fee: None
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McMurdo Fast Find Max G**
The Fast Find Max G personal locator beacon has a powerful 48-hour battery, internal GPS receiver and floats without needing a buoyancy pouch. But it lacks the LED strobe light of the Fast Find 220. McMurdo and Kannad are sister companies. More Information Here
Price: $529
406 and 121.5 MHz: Yes
Internal GPS: Yes
LED strobe light: No
Floats: Yes
Battery life: 48 hours
Subscription fee: None
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Microwave Monolithics MicroPLB GXL**
Besides being one of the smallest PLBs we’ve seen, the MicroPLB from Microwave Monolithics has one of the best batteries of any unit on the market. Designed to last for at least 48 hours, its battery continuously transmitted for five and a half days in manufacturer field-testing. More Information Here
Price: $700
406 and 121.5 MHz: Yes
Internal GPS: Yes
LED strobe light: No
Floats: No
Battery life: 48+ hours
Subscription fee: None
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Spot Personal Tracker**
The Spot Personal Tracker isn’t a true PLB because it uses commercial satellites rather than the COSPAS-SARSAT network to broadcast your position. But unlike traditional PLBs, the Spot unit allows you to send text messages, transmit your location to loved ones or request emergency help. Coverage extends to all of North America and many other parts of the world. More Information Here
Price: $149
406 and 121.5 MHz: No
Internal GPS: Yes
LED strobe light: Yes
Floats: Yes
Battery life: 48+ hours
Subscription fee: $99/year
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Breitling Emergency Watch**
Breitling watches are incredible timepieces in their own right, but the Breitling Emergency watch takes engineering art to a whole new level. Developing a dual-frequency emergency transmitter of 406 and 121.5 MHz was a huge technological challenge because of the tiny space available. The Breitling Emergency watch is also unusual for its PLB antenna, which incorporates two extendable antenna “sections” at the base of the watch. What’s truly amazing about the Breitling watch is that it meets international standards for reliability, accuracy and battery life with the ability to transmit continuously for more than 24 hours. More Information Here
Price: $15,750
