Can anybody tell me the cost per life saved by fixed ELTs in heavy transport aircraft? My strong suspicion is that not a SINGLE life has been saved and the cumulative cost over the last thirty years probably in the hundreds of millions of dollars. As well as the cost, the PROVEN increase in risk must be taken into account.
Just because a thing CAN be done doesn't mean that it is sensible that it should be done*.
In my view fixed ELTs MIGHT be justifiable in aircraft up to light twins but that is all.
*In the mid seventies the head of training, on F27, of a national carrier, carried out a GA from 1500 ft on final on glide path below all cloud, with gear down and locked**, after there was an explosion in one wheel well. He could do it, but should he have? Nah.
** There were still three greens after the explosion. That's all one needs to land an F27 on 10000'.