ELT NZ vs rest of world

[gulfairs]

Hi there aircraft owners, New Zealand yet again have tried to re invent the wheel, by bulldozing legislation
We have to change to the 406 ELT by July 01 2008, some 7 months prior to the rest of the world.
Why?
I was advised to stop the back log of unchanged aircraft in 2009!
There are only moderate to hi priced ELT available in NZ but I received the following a few weeks ago so I will be waiting until the Fall for my spam can.

Dear sirs

Yes, we are currently working on a new 406 MHz ELT. Our 406 MHz ACK ELT is scheduled for release in early fall 2008, and will easily retrofit into previous ACK ELT installations. Our new ELT will fit into the same mounting tray, and use the same remote control panel indicator and cable, with an easily installed in-line audible buzzer. The external antenna on the new 406 will virtually be the same as our current one, however they will no longer have the coil at the top, making them more aerodynamic, and less susceptible to wear from turbulent air. Our new 406 will also incorporate a GPS interface. Our new ELT is estimated to list price between $500 and $600 U.S.D. each.



Greg Akatiff
Office Manager
ACK Technologies, Inc.
440 W. Julian St.
San Jose, CA 95110

[flyhardmo]

In East Africa it was manditory to install the 406MHZ ELT as of Jan 1st 2007.. It didn't help though. When the Kenya Airway B737 crashed it took them 2 days to locate it 2nm from the airport while they searched 100nm away based on the ELT signal.
500-600USD sounds about right and is not too bad. We had quotes of up to 5K USD each until we found the cheaper ones at 600USD a piece. 4 aircraft in the fleet so we saved a bundle.

[Biggles_in_Oz]

bbg., Check the product descriptions very carefully. There are often various configurations and/or combinations-of-options available.

I recently got a 406 ELT and a usable package (beacon, antenna, RF cable, remote switch), ended up at USD900 plus USD120 freight. (plus AU GST Grrrrrr.)
Ah well, at least I have it now.

[philipnz]

My new Remos arrived in March with an old ACK ELT despite me telling them it was a waste of time sending it. I replaced it with a Kannard Kompact which pretty much covered the old space. CAA reasoning is bizzare. What is the difference between ruling a plane illegal to fly on the same day as the rest of the world as opposed to 1st july? Either way there is a cutoff.

By the way my unit was changed over and up and running by a mobile tech in about 2 hours.

[RadioSaigon]

I don't see the problem... this was a known date thick end of 10 years ago! Certainly was published before I left NZ 7 years ago. Leave it to the last minute, you'll always create issues for yourself...

[philipnz]

Well it's a week now, is everyone legal, how many grounded?