406 ELT Thread

[James331]

Just looked in spruce for what a 406 would set me back.

Just under $600! Uses my same mounting tray, same panel switch, just need to replace my old whip with a swept antena and run a line from my 430 or 530 for GPS input, it's even 406 AND 121.5, Not shabby.

Figure for float ops it's well worth the money

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/elt406.php

Might even be able to get a couple hundred for my old ACK 121.5 on eBay?

 

[Stewartb]

Silva ire,

All registered 406 signals in the US go to the MCC in Maryland and are distributed from there. SPOTS and similar devices send signals to a contracted service who forwards them to SAR although I can't say whether that's MCC. I don't have a SPOT, but my RCC helicopter pilot friends do. As I said earlier I use a Spidertracks unit so I have no need for another tracker. The agency responsibility in Alaska is as I stated and that's easily verified. Let me know if you need phone numbers. I have them in my cell phone contacts.

 

[Henning]

Just looked in spruce for what a 406 would set me back.

About $600! Uses my same mounting tray, same panel switch, just need to replace my old whip with a swept antena and run a line from my 430 or 530 for GPS input, it's even 406 AND 121.5, Not shabby.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/elt406.php

Might even be able to get a couple hundred for my old ACK 121.5 on eBay?

Don't bother unless legally required. Find a floating G/PLB unit small enough to keep around your neck for <$300. When you know you're going down, open the antenna and get it booted up and try to hit the button about 15 seconds before you go in. Any 406 device triggers the COPASS/SARSAT system.

 

[Stewartb]

PLBs don't meet aircraft ELT crash standards and don't have automatic G switches. If you believe aircraft accidents are easily anticipated then by all means follow Henning's advice. If you think you might crash by accident an automatic device that's engineered to survive to the best possible chances makes more sense. All 406 ELTs have remote panel switches so if you're in imminent danger it's easy to activate your ELT from the pilot seat.

James, that particular model is easy to connect with a GPS so your initial beacon signal will include your precise location. For a float plane that's a good feature.

 

[Silvaire]

...The agency responsibility in Alaska is as I stated and that's easily verified...

What I'm saying is that the Alaska State Troopers are not monitoring COPAS/SARSAT and a PLB signal does not go to them. Furthermore the PLB registration form specifies Specific Usage, whether that be Hiking, Boating or Aviation and also Type which is either Land Vehicle, Boat or aircraft. If you have registered as a Hiker then it might be the Park Service that gets utilized by the Response Center but not if you have specified as an aircraft.

 

[Stewartb]

Not true in Alaska but I always advise folks to pick up a phone and find out who does what in their area.

I suggest all who have any curiosity to follow the links I provided in post #36.

More info for you- http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/rcc.html

 

[Henning]

PLBs don't meet aircraft ELT crash standards and don't have automatic G switches. If you believe aircraft accidents are easily anticipated then by all means follow Henning's advice. If you think you might crash by accident an automatic device that's engineered to survive to the best possible chances makes more sense. All 406 ELTs have remote panel switches so if you're in imminent danger it's easy to activate your ELT from the pilot seat.

Ok, I take it back, buy both if you will. The thing is the PLB will come with me regardless where I am, so it is the better value to buy first, at least for people like me who participate in more activities than flying where it makes sense to have. If you are willing to spend for the ELT beyond that, no worries being backed up, none at all. In my experience though pilots are extremely cheap, and $600 is the minimum cost of doing an ELT. If you need to run the wiring and install the panel switch, that can turn into $1000. Most Pt 91 pilots in America will not part with that. Many more though will spend on the PLB option which will serve them nearly as well in most scenarios that have them surviving.

 

[James331]

Ok, I take it back, buy both if you will. The thing is the PLB will come with me regardless where I am, so it is the better value to buy first, at least for people like me who participate in more activities than flying where it makes sense to have. If you are willing to spend for the ELT beyond that, no worries being backed up, none at all. In my experience though pilots are extremely cheap, and $600 is the minimum cost of doing an ELT. If you need to run the wiring and install the panel switch, that can turn into $1000. Most Pt 91 pilots in America will not part with that. Many more though will spend on the PLB option which will serve them nearly as well in most scenarios that have them surviving.

This guy lives under the seat

 

[bflynn]

No, you didn't. If you are not listening to 121.5 and you have an idle radio, you are not flying legally.

You'll have to quote that regulation for me.

Fwiw, I am a CAP member. I have seen members fly self funded C missions when no one wanted to to check out an let. I've seem wing dispatch a B mission for a 121.5 zeal at, although they're no required to.

And you out to relax a little, you came across very harshly.

 

[Velocity173]

You'll have to quote that regulation for me.

Fwiw, I am a CAP member. I have seen members fly self funded C missions when no one wanted to to check out an let. I've seem wing dispatch a B mission for a 121.5 zeal at, although they're no required to.

And you out to relax a little, you came across very harshly.

FDC NOTAM 4/4386 requires it if you're capable. Those of us with single radios generally aren't capable.

 

[James331]

FDC NOTAM 4/4386 requires it if you're capable. Those of us with single radios generally aren't capable.

I'm capable, but I often have more pressing matters com 2 needs to attend to.

 

[Velocity173]

I'm capable, but I often have more pressing matters com 2 needs to attend to.

Lol! I agree. For work I'm capable but have other needs. For fun I'm not capable since my plane has only one radio.

 

[bflynn]

FDC NOTAM 4/4386 requires it if you're capable. Those of us with single radios generally aren't capable.

Oh, that.

Yes, but this "if capable" doesn't match your previous statement saying they were flat out required to. That's why I said "supposed to".

The aircraft I've been flying use a GNS-650, which allows for monitoring a secondary frequency. When the primary frequency broadcasts, the secondary frequency is muted. However, I've found that when guard is busy, I'm not capable of using that feature because I miss my primary radio calls, I tune out the constant noise.

If capable has to also include the pilot.