Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

Compulsory Carriage of ELT / PLB

Wikiposts
Search
Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

Compulsory Carriage of ELT / PLB

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 19th Aug 2016, 10:17
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boundary Layer
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Compulsory Carriage of ELT / PLB

August sees the implementation of EASA Part NCO. This requires even small helicopters to carry a PLB.
See https://www.flyer.co.uk/easa-part-nco-explained/.


Another example of EASA applying criteria catering for the worst case scenario across the board which is dis-proportionate to the risk for the majority of flights.


Cost of compliance and administration of the requirement has not been properly assessed in my view.


Let's hear what the Red Tape review board think!
Cylinder Head is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2016, 10:32
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: EGDC
Posts: 10,327
Received 622 Likes on 270 Posts
I would rather they had mandated every flying vehicle to have a working transponder - that would include hang and para gliders, microlights and ALL gliders (not FLARM as it doesn't show on TCAS).
crab@SAAvn.co.uk is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2016, 10:40
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 0
Received 44 Likes on 26 Posts
Cylinder

What a load of Bollocks you talk, if you can't afford £ 230 for a handheld ELT then quite frankly you shouldn't be flying. Bit like insurance expensive until you need it ! Flying across mid Wales last week as a customer said I can't see any form of human existence other than a few tracks through some forests. So engine goes bang you make a landing having not put out a Mayday ( which is easy to do as most helicopters fly within 1500 ft of the ground or about 45 seconds until on the ground ) but are injured, were do you get help ? Phone a friend ( if you have a signal )
I can only assume you value your life and those you fly with at £ 230
Hughes500 is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2016, 11:02
  #4 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boundary Layer
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hughes- No need for profanity please refrain. However you miss my point of proportionality. Of course when flying across uninhabited Wales a PLB makes sense and £ 230 is a small price to pay. However making it compulsory to carry one on circuit details and even hovering training is a bit over the top in my opinion. Pilots should be capable of assessing when their flight requires such a precaution and when it is clearly unnecessary.


I agree with Crab - a transponder (which many aircraft have already) squawking 7700 does the same job and other advantages.




- don't forget drones Crab they should carry them too.

Last edited by Cylinder Head; 19th Aug 2016 at 11:53.
Cylinder Head is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2016, 11:52
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ban Don Ling
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have heard these kind of arguments before; and many would still say an ELT/PLB outside of the airfield/zone needs to be switched to EMERG mode physically or automatically - and sadly the fact is that automation has failed in many non-survivable accidents. If the purpose of the alert is to send rescue services, then the better option is by far a satellite tracking system (3 min, whatever) - you just follow the track to where it stops! The system should have no cb available to the crew inflight, and of course someone would have to monitor it.
tistisnot is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2016, 14:10
  #6 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boundary Layer
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just found out that there is a related thread in the Private Flying Forum

Who is responsible for supplying the PLB?


CH
Cylinder Head is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2016, 14:40
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 1,659
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
- don't forget drones Crab they should carry them too.
Why? So if a drone carries a transponder, relative speeds and sizes would make it unlikely that a visual sighting could occur before impact anyway, and surely it would just add so many more contacts onto an already busy TCAS screen ??? Drones should only be operated by trained operators and those with permits to do so.
helimutt is offline  
Old 19th Aug 2016, 19:32
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 0
Received 44 Likes on 26 Posts
Cylinder
Point taken but I am afraid still the same argument.
Hughes500 is offline  
Old 20th Aug 2016, 09:49
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
Age: 60
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 6 Posts
The problem here is that you are all applying sense to the situation. Of course YOU would carry a plb at the appropriate time. Most of you already do; there is no need for the legislation.

However, put yourself in the chair of the regulator........

This rule is probably being introduced because, in some countries, people can't be trusted to be sensible. A blanket requirement ensures compliance..... Only those diehard idiots being targeted will still not carry one!

When I left the military, I always felt naked flying without a PLB, even for circuits......
jayteeto is offline  
Old 20th Aug 2016, 12:06
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Center of the Universe
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
a transponder (which many aircraft have already) squawking 7700 does the same job
Nowhere close! While a transponder squawking 7700 may be useful, it does not give position and may cease to operate or provide useful info at low altitude or on the ground. PLB is for different purposes and serves those purposes far better than a transponder, IMO. We have a PLB for each seat in the helo - about the cost of a tank of fuel.
EN48 is offline  
Old 20th Aug 2016, 20:37
  #11 (permalink)  

Better red than ...
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Appleby-in-Westmorland Cumbria England
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So if an aircraft transponder set to 7700 does not give a location how do I see aircraft with 7700 set flying a destination alternative or return to departure on Flight Radar 24?
helicopter-redeye is offline  
Old 20th Aug 2016, 23:55
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: QLD Australia
Age: 46
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by helicopter-redeye
So if an aircraft transponder set to 7700 does not give a location how do I see aircraft with 7700 set flying a destination alternative or return to departure on Flight Radar 24?
The 7700 just broadcasts that an in flight emergency is occurring. ADS-B is providing position, direction, speed and altitude data. And the ADS-B won't tell the world where the aircraft is after loss of aircraft electrical power resulting from engine shut-down or impact with the ground.
Martin_Baker is offline  
Old 21st Aug 2016, 00:05
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Northants
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So if an aircraft transponder set to 7700 does not give a location how do I see aircraft with 7700 set flying a destination alternative or return to departure on Flight Radar 24?
Perhaps because its not "at low altitude or on the ground" - RTFQ!
XX514 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.