ELT- How serious?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 37
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From: Emerald Isle
ELT- How serious?
I was listening to Shannon Center Atc on a scanner today, when several aircraft reported that they had picked up a faint ELT.
Im aware that its an Emergency Locater Transmitter,what I dont know is when they are used by an aircraft?
Do they indicate a serious problem? and
Do both commercial and light aircraft have them?
Thanks for your help!
Im aware that its an Emergency Locater Transmitter,what I dont know is when they are used by an aircraft?
Do they indicate a serious problem? and
Do both commercial and light aircraft have them?
Thanks for your help!
I'matightbastard
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,747
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From: Texas
It could indicate a serious problem, but more likely it means an aircraft has had a heavy landing.
The ELT is a small transmitter that has it's own battery pack and is activated through an inertial switch. It transmits a repeated tone on the emergency frequency and is used in search and rescue efforts. Unfortunately, a really heavy landing can feel a little like a crash to the airplane and can activate the unit. It depends on how sensitive the switch is.
Alternatively, somebody could have accidentally switched the unit on directly, or, in the States at least, you are allowed to test the unit in the first five minutes of every hour.
Aircraft large and small carry these units and airliners typically listen in on the emergency frequency as they may be the first people to hear the signal if it results from a real incident in the middle of nowhere.
There has been at least one rescue effort in the Rockies that started before the aircraft was even known to be lost. A transiting aircraft heard the signal and was able to report it and get everyone rescued promptly.
BTW, they also manufacture a watch now that'll transmit an ELT signal, though it's operator activated only.
Hope this helps.
The ELT is a small transmitter that has it's own battery pack and is activated through an inertial switch. It transmits a repeated tone on the emergency frequency and is used in search and rescue efforts. Unfortunately, a really heavy landing can feel a little like a crash to the airplane and can activate the unit. It depends on how sensitive the switch is.
Alternatively, somebody could have accidentally switched the unit on directly, or, in the States at least, you are allowed to test the unit in the first five minutes of every hour.
Aircraft large and small carry these units and airliners typically listen in on the emergency frequency as they may be the first people to hear the signal if it results from a real incident in the middle of nowhere.
There has been at least one rescue effort in the Rockies that started before the aircraft was even known to be lost. A transiting aircraft heard the signal and was able to report it and get everyone rescued promptly.
BTW, they also manufacture a watch now that'll transmit an ELT signal, though it's operator activated only.
Hope this helps.
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 589
From: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
It need not be from an aeroplane. It could be from a yacht or boat in distress, or in this part of the world at least, a 4wd party in the middle of the 45Celcius desert who have broken down.
Aircraft monitor the frequency and report it when they hear something. The relative loudness of the ELT by different aircraft would help to locate the rough vicinity prior to the signal being picked up by a satellite and may expedite rescue.
Aircraft monitor the frequency and report it when they hear something. The relative loudness of the ELT by different aircraft would help to locate the rough vicinity prior to the signal being picked up by a satellite and may expedite rescue.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 174
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From: Europe
ELT - our good friend in need! Yes, neglecting ELT batteries is just as smart as skipping your insurance payments!
Problem is it's getting 'too popular' - more and more often, when the SAR helos have homed in on a signal, they are hovering over either a parked a/c, a marina, or some backpacker who accidentially turned it on.
For this reason, I'm not too impressed by the ELT-watch. The new 406Mhz ELTs might alleviate some of this, hopefully.
"Support Search and Rescue - Get Lost!"
(quoted from SARSAT/COPAM sticker)
cheers,
Problem is it's getting 'too popular' - more and more often, when the SAR helos have homed in on a signal, they are hovering over either a parked a/c, a marina, or some backpacker who accidentially turned it on.
For this reason, I'm not too impressed by the ELT-watch. The new 406Mhz ELTs might alleviate some of this, hopefully."Support Search and Rescue - Get Lost!"
(quoted from SARSAT/COPAM sticker)cheers,
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 4,282
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From: Escapee from Ultima Thule
The only ELT watch of which I'm aware is made by Breitling.
It takes a deliberate action to unlock & extend the ELT antenna. This turns the ELT on. Having done so the watch has to be returned to Breitling for refitting/repair.
I've heard they'll do it for free if you can prove it was for SAR purposes but charge like a wounded bull if it was not an emergency.
Can't see too many people would be keen to incur a US$1000 fee (or whatever) just out of idle curiosity.
It takes a deliberate action to unlock & extend the ELT antenna. This turns the ELT on. Having done so the watch has to be returned to Breitling for refitting/repair.
I've heard they'll do it for free if you can prove it was for SAR purposes but charge like a wounded bull if it was not an emergency.
Can't see too many people would be keen to incur a US$1000 fee (or whatever) just out of idle curiosity.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,086
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From: Greystation
Very rarely a side tone can also be heard transmitting the registration of the distressed craft, but have only happened on this twice. Maybe this will be a futuristic way of determining hoaxes from real emergencies as relevant contact details can be associated on a database, therefore emergency numbers are always at hand. 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 138
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From: Belgium
There can't be too many amusing stories involving ELT's but here's one, which took place a couple of weeks ago. A couple of aircraft under my control reported an ELT, so it was passed on to Amsterdam ACC. Upon investigation, it turned out that some highly intelligent burglars had stolen an ELT, switching it on in the process. So as they drove off in their getaway vehicle they were blissfully unaware that they were sending out a "WE ARE HERE, PLEASE COME AND ARREST US" signal to all and sundry. Made my day.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,086
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From: Greystation
As civil ATC when we get an ELT reported, we telephone our D&D cell at West Drayton and give them the reporting a/c's position and height from when they began to receive and also stopped receiving ELT. Was a nightmare when the car transporting ship overturned in the channel a year ago, it sent out its ELT for about 4 DAYS!!! Got a bit tiresome after a while.... 
