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Written by James Carrie
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Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:53 |
I have only recently become aware of the changes relating to the carriage and use of ELTs and PLBs so in case any of you are also not yet up to speed here is a situation report.
Satellite detection of 121.5 MHz ceases on 31st January 2009. Thus for detection you will need a beacon that has 406 MHz; which includes 121.5, used for homing by helicopters, lifeboats etc and be monitored by over flying aircraft.
The 406 beacon MUST by law be registered with the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) Registry at Falmouth (phone 01326 211569). Aircraft 406 ELTs and PLBs must also be registered, it is free. Full details are provided by the manufacturers with the beacons.
Each beacon contains a 15 digit unique code which is picked up by a global satellite, the first step used by a UK Mission Control Centre in verifying that it is not a false alarm. They then phone the contact details (which can be several users) provided when registering. Another satellite system will plot the position of the signal.
Depending upon the position and passage of these satellites, the alarm will be raised in between 10 minutes and 3 hours. Thus you should have a life raft and/or immersion suit if over water. The beacons sold in this country are coded 232 for UK, so if you buy one from abroad it will need to be re-coded noting that some cannot be re-coded.
Why has all this come about? Because 98% of 121.5 alerts were false alarms..
The CAA has postponed the mandatory requirement for one or the other to be carried at all times until March 2009 with the possibility of a further delay
Most importantly, as from 1st January 2009 all aircraft flying in French airspace MUST have either an ELT or PLB able to transmit simultaneously on 121.5 and 406 MHz and be registered with a designated authority. Passengers must be briefed on its use. A number of aircraft including amateur built, orphan, kit built, microlights, restricted C of A vintage aircraft and gliders are exempt. The full details can be checked in French AIC 10/08 available in English via this link www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr
Note that other countries in Europe may have similar regulations, it is the pilot's responsibility to check. On the AIS website click on Links and scroll down to 'Eurocontrol Web Links to Foreign AIS' and click Europe. There is then a list of countries. You may need to inhibit your pop-up blocker
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