In June, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a regulatory document stating, in part, “The manufacture, importation, sale or use of 121.5 MHz ELTs is prohibited.” Relax: At this writing, the ban has not gone into effect and cannot until at least early September. Although the FCCs action apparently caught many unawares, it was telegraphed as long ago as 2001. The ban comes on the heels 288
Do We Really Need ELTs?
In June, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a regulatory document stating, in part, "The manufacture, importation, sale or use of 121.5 MHz ELTs is prohibited." Relax: At this writing, the ban has not gone into effect and cannot until at least early September. Although the FCCs action apparently caught many unawares, it was telegraphed as long ago as 2001. The ban comes on the heels of-and is partly justified by-the February 2009 cessation of satellite-based monitoring of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters by the responsible international organization. The present lack of satellite-based monitoring shouldnt be anything new to pilots or operators.
Key Takeaways:
- The FCC has banned 121.5 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) due to the cessation of satellite monitoring, a decision made without apparent consultation with the FAA, which still permits their use.
- Both older 121.5 MHz and newer 406 MHz ELTs have historically low activation rates in actual crashes and very high false alarm rates (98% for 121.5 MHz, 90% for 406 MHz).
- The author questions the continued mandatory requirement for ELTs, citing their unreliability, cost, and the availability of more effective modern tracking technologies such as cellphones, radar, and personal locator beacons.
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