ELT DOUBTS
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Saltash Cornwall
Emergency locator beacon (ELB)
I'm truly amazed that no technology exists to eject an emergency locator beacon (E.L.B.) in the event of ditching on the high seas the device could be ejected using a similar device to a vehicle airbag,aft of the pressure bulkhead of course and the device could be on the surface, within seconds if not minutes,and preferably with solar cells to keep the transmitter active as long as possible,finally if the E.L.B had a tether to the structure of the aeroplane
once (the beacon) had surfaced the ditched aeroplane could be located fairly quickly under the waves. I know about the underwater ping type beacon,
but if there is a transmitter atop the the waves, then everybody should know about it's location within a short space of time.
once (the beacon) had surfaced the ditched aeroplane could be located fairly quickly under the waves. I know about the underwater ping type beacon,
but if there is a transmitter atop the the waves, then everybody should know about it's location within a short space of time.
Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 609
Likes: 471
From: Maryland USA
ACR ELECTRONICS AquaLink® 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon | West Marine
This is what would work in any crash with people still alive and able to move.
This is what would work in any crash with people still alive and able to move.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: USA
I'm truly amazed that no technology exists to eject an emergency locator beacon (E.L.B.) in the event of ditching on the high seas...
Mike
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: SF, CA
ELTs on a/c
I find it curious that the 406 EPIRB, hanging a mere 6' behind my head will automatically deploy and begin transmitting my position to any COSPAS/SARSAT equipped satellite, and in less than 45 seconds, the USCG will know where to come looking for me....like they did a few years back when a whale sunk my friends boat 800 mi. North of Oahu.
How in the hell do I get this kind of technology, that I've carried with me on 5 trips to and from Oahu...and we're still trying to figure out where the hell this plane went down?
Seriously, 30 years in aerospace, and I just don't understand this. Its freaking inexcusable.
How in the hell do I get this kind of technology, that I've carried with me on 5 trips to and from Oahu...and we're still trying to figure out where the hell this plane went down?
Seriously, 30 years in aerospace, and I just don't understand this. Its freaking inexcusable.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 8
From: KAPL
Example ejectable ELT/CPI
Here's an example for the USAF C-141 original CPI, including multiple damage sensors throughout the aircraft and provision for a tape recorder for the CVR AN/URT-26 Crash Position Indicator
Other offshore industry and military examples can be found on Google.
The extra cost over ELTs made the CPI unpalatable for regulators and airlines, but that may change...with modern electronics it can be a very much smaller device using the 406Mhz technology and solid-state memory for FDR/CVR:
http://www.hr-smith.com/images/stories/503-CPI.pdf
Other offshore industry and military examples can be found on Google.
The extra cost over ELTs made the CPI unpalatable for regulators and airlines, but that may change...with modern electronics it can be a very much smaller device using the 406Mhz technology and solid-state memory for FDR/CVR:
http://www.hr-smith.com/images/stories/503-CPI.pdf
Last edited by Sawbones62; 17th March 2014 at 03:21. Reason: Fixed link
