I don't want to hijack this thread.
However, I have always been comcerned by the " activate the GPS PLB on the way down.
Given the months or years long cold start, how fast can the GPS in the PLB acquire and calculate position? So does activate on the way down need more time for a useful 406 transmission to be achieved than we think? If so the distraction of activation PLB on the way down, with presumed degredation of performance of performing the forced landing/finding and getting to a clear space/maintaining optimal,speed/ etc, may not be worth it.
I don't know the answer.
In essence, I am asking how useful in practical terms is it to activate on the way down? Pros and Cons.
Last edited by rjtjrt; 25th Mar 2013 at 03:12.