As
an aircraft owner, the new date you have to be aware of is January 31,
2009—yes, 2009. But itʼs never too early to start planning. On that
date, all aircraft with ELTs will be required to be equipped with a
digital ELT operating on the 406 megahertz frequency. And this means
you. Why? Because that is when the emergency 121.5 analog frequency
will no longer be monitored by the COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue
satellites. The frequency will still be monitored by ground-based
receivers, ATC facilities or by over flying aircraft— itʼs better than
nothing, but it will really limit the likelihood that the distress
signal will be detected in a reasonable length of time.
PG04ELT.pdf (121.80 kb)