Personal Locator Beacon - Still Relevant?

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AA5Bman

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He who ironically no longer flies an AA5B
I took everything out of the plane recently and stumbled upon my old personal locator beacon (the original generation ACR Resqulink style). Separately, I inherited the same unit from a family friend who was also a pilot and passed, whose wife gave me all his airplane emergency gear. So now I have two ACR-style PLBs.

I long ago went to a Garmin InReach and have seen the SOS function successfully used (unfortunately) so I’m wondering… are the PLBs still relevant? What should I do with them?
 
Just want to say it is straightforward to replace the batteries on the ACR Resqulinks.
I've also seen the InReaches successfully used in an emergency situation and they seem to offer a lot. That said, the ACR seems a whole lot better than an alternative of nothing.
 
Seems "relevant" might be the wrong term and "redundant" (at least as far as your gear bag is concerned) is more apt.
 
I carry one in the plane; mainly because I've been flying over remote areas and don't have a 406.
You should be getting biennial renewal mailings from NOAA to confirm the listed contacts, just did mine.
 
I have two PLBs and decided to sell my InReach, since I dont want to pay the monthly subscription.
 
I think they're probably more relevant than InReach because there are three constellations of SAR satellites including satellites in geosynchronous orbit vs Iridium for InReach and they don't require a subscription. But maybe Iridium offers the same coverage, IDK? I have one for the same reason @Let'sgoflying! has one, just an old 121.5 MHz ELT installed...
 
I take both. My InReach sits on the glareshield so it can see satellites for sending tracking points. In case of ditching, I plan to grab it - but would I remember, or succeed?

I keep a PLB permanently in one of the pockets on my lifejacket so even if I do fail to take the InReach with me, I have a plan B.
 
AA5Bman said:
are the PLBs still relevant? What should I do with them?
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Was told years ago, an ELT locates the aircraft and a PLB locates you. So depending on where you operate, it can matter if you have one or not. Plus a PLB can be used for any activity and not just flying. And for reference, the majority of Part 135 helicopter ops in the GOMEX usually have at least 3 PLBs on board with some customers issuing PLBs to their employees as well. And the preferred brand is the ACR Resqulink series.
 
The inreach type devices, at least when I researched this question a few years back, rely solely on satellite communication and that may not work everywhere and always...depending on location and network, etc...
Their advantages include two-way messages, leaving courtesy breadcrumb trails, I'm ok messages, etc...

The PLB's however include 121.5mhz signal that can be used to home in on your location, even if you are shaded from the satellites.
 
I’ve used my InReach north of the arctic circle in some insanely remote zones, so I’m curious where the coverage is lacking?
 
I have flown over Lake Michigan more than 240 times. I had a raft, wore personal inflatable flotation, but I did not have a PLB. I carried my handheld radio on a waterproof container.

Some time ago, there was a US Coast Guard pilot at an air show in nearby Stevens Point, and I asked him how long it would take to get to a downed pilot in the middle of Lake Michigan from Traverse City. He said it would be at least 20 minutes before they got airborne, and another 20-30 minutes before getting to the last reported position. Without a signaling device, a mirror or smoke generator or dye, or a radio or a PLB, he said it was about a 5-10% chance they would find the downed pilot.
 
I bought an ACR. Pretty cheap, lite, small, no subscription, locates you when you activate. Seems a good thing to do.
 
cruiserandmax said:
Holy cow- I was totally unaware of this new iPhone feature- that's great!
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Absolutely! I think it got some extra visibility with the recent hurricanes.

But yes, Apple originally introduced just a search-and-rescue "Emergency SOS via satellite" with the iPhone 14, and as of iOS 18 a couple months ago has expanded it to use that satellite hardware for regular Messages usage as well. It can also update your location in Find My, obtain roadside assistance, or do the Emergency SOS mode which will ask you all of the things the emergency providers are going to ask you and get it all out right away which can be crucial because satellite messaging often takes minutes.

BUT... Be sure to set this up and test it *before* you need it! Settings -> Apps -> Messages -> Messages via Satellite -> Satellite Connection Demo.
 
I just tried the Emergency SOS Demo on my wife's iPhone 14. It was kind of hard to find. But is under Emergency SOS or something. It seems to work. Very cool. That may be the only reason I have found yet to switch from Android, hah.
 
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