Emergency Locator Transmitters, or ELTs part three.

We’ve discussed an overview of the technology, as well as the earlier generation 121.5 MHz ELT and the updated 406 MHz ELT.

With the development of the 406 MHZ ELT, many of the issues that had characterized ELTs were either improved or resolved. One of the newest ELT models, however, builds on the 406 MHz foundation and brings a round of further improvements.

The 12-73% crash activation rate seen in the 121.5 MHz ELT was improved to 81-83% with the 406 MHz ELT.

Alert response time sped up with the 406 MHz ELT as the result of much stronger wattage in the power output. The signal strength increased from 0.1 watt continuous signal on the 121.5 MHz ELT to a 5.0 watt pulse signal with the newer generation ELT. Additionally, 406 MHz ELTs are able to be equipped with GPS, thus further improving search and rescue deployment times.

With the newer generation 406 MHz ELT, there are also dramatically fewer false alerts given. One in every 12 alerts are actual distress, as compared to fewer in 2000 alerts on the 121.5 MHz frequency.

Despite this and other improvements, there are still some concerns associated with 406 MHz ELTs.

“With the 406 MHz system, one of the biggest concerns or issues is the fact that it still requires you to to have an external antenna,” says Jamie Luster, FreeFlight Systems Director of Sales and Marketing.

“In a crash situation, there’s a lot of things that could go wrong to make the ELT not work properly, namely the antenna breaking off or something similar.”

One of the newest ELTs on the market brings a solution to this concern, says Luster.

Kannad Aviation launched the Integra 406 GPS ELT at AirVenture Oshkosh last year. One of the most distinctive features of the product is its built-in GPS and built-in antenna. The product does still require an external antenna, however in the event of  ditching the aircraft or a crash landing, the Integra automatically activates and transmits the unique identification code and GPS position through the internal antenna.

“It’s essentially like having a backup GPS and antenna,” says Luster, “almost like a backup ELT.”

Another feature that sets the Integra apart is the ability to remove the ELT from a downed aircraft. It continues to transmit the information needed to bring search and rescue resources even once it is removed from the frame.

“There is a lot of functionality in that sense,” explains Luster. She says the backup capabilities help negate some concerns and issues that have been raised with other ELT models.

More information on the Kannad Integra 406 GPS ELT is available by calling 1.254.662.0000.

Related posts:

1. Emergency Locator Transmitter: ELT models: Part 1
2. Emergency Locator Transmitters: ELT
3. Emergency Locator Transmitter Models: Part 2
4. ADS-B Frequently Asked Questions: Part 1
5. FreeFlight Systems announces the RANGR 978 MHz ADS-B Family