Quiz 2: All about ELTs

Sat Oct 14 2023

Like so much other equipment on our aeroplanes we rarely give ELTs a second thought. The idea behind ELTs is great in theory but in practice they can be of limited benefit if not installed, maintained and operated correctly. To ensure that ELTs will be able to work when we need them, we need to understand them well as well as knowing which one to use under which circumstances.

Question 1

The world of ELTs is filled with TLAs (two and three letter acronyms). If you have an aeroplane that is required to be equipped with an ELT of type AD, AF or AP then you will no doubt be able to instantly recall the meanings of AD, AF and AP:

Automatic Distress, Auto Fix and Auto PositionAutomatic Deployable, Automatic Fixed and Automatic PortableAeroplane Digital, Auto Finder and Analog PositionAutomatic Discoverable, Automatic Fixed and Automatic Portable

Question 2

Is it true to say that the main advantages of a “new” 406 MHz ELT vs the old 121.5 MHz ELT include much shorter alert notification period to search and rescue personnel and much greater position accuracy.

TrueFalse

Question 3

All ELTs have some major shortcomings including bent or broken antennae, shadowing of the signal by an aircraft that is inverted, simple failure to respond to crash loading and possible destruction on impact. With all of these shortcomings it is easy to think that ELT’s are of little to no value. What percentage of accidents do you think lead to successful triggering of an ELT in Canada? By successful we mean the percentage of ELTs that survived a real aircraft incident and notified SAR authorities.

80%25% - 50%10%2%

Question 4

False alarms are not only a nuisance but they take up valuable search and rescue resources as personnel attempt to verify whether or not they are real. Given that, hazard a guess at what percentage of alerts are actual distress activations?

80%50%10%2%

Question 5

When a 406 MHz emergency beacon signal is received, search and rescue authorities at the CMCC (Central Mission Control Centre) located in Trenton, ON will retrieve information associated with the signal ID from their registration database. Having this information allows search and rescue services to respond appropriately but only (and here’s the catch) if it is up to date. So, if you have a registered beacon, to get timely rescue services and to avoid frustrating a whole lot of hard-working people you must update the registration information in a timely manner. Changes requiring notification include:

The name of the pilot-in-commandIf change your address, your emergency contact information or your phone number changesIf any of the important information in the registry changes such as colour of your aircraftAny of the above

Question 6

You are out at your local airport giving your aeroplane the tender loving care that it deserves when you think that you have triggered a false alarm on your 406 MHz ELT. You should:

Secure immediate access to a large line of credit so as to be able to pay the resulting fine.Disconnect your ELT, sit tight and hope that an alert was not generated.Call the Central Mission Control Centre (CMCC) at 1-800-211-8107 and advise them of your error. They will be very grateful that you have done so.Call your nearest flight service station and advise them of your error. They will be very grateful that you have done so.

Question 7

The switch from 121.5/243 MHz ELTs to 406 MHz devices while allowing the 121.5 MHz devices to stay operational has generated some confusion with all of us. This confusion extends to operational testing which is now different from what we all used to know. See if you can pick out the INCORRECT statement in amongst the statements regarding operational testing below.

In the case of a 121.5 MHz ELT, the operational test should only be conducted during the first five minutes of any UTC hour and the duration should not exceed five seconds.When testing a 406 MHz ELT use the integral self-test function (or if there isn’t one then follow the manufacturer’s instructions that describe how to carry out this self-test)Only perform a live testing of a 406 MHz ELT for a maximum duration of 5 seconds during the first five minutes after the half-hour UTC so as to distinguish the test from the test of a 121.5 MHz ELT.If your ELT transmits on both 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz frequencies then you should perform the operational test during the first five minutes of any UTC hour and restrict the duration to no more than 5 seconds.Live testing of a 406 MHz ELT is never permitted

Question 8

The operational self-test achieves multiple purposes and sets off a complex chain of events designed to:

Be a more economical way of re-certifying your ELT as a successful self-test means that your 406 MHz ELT does not have to be re-certified by a licenced aircraft maintenance engineer.Verify that the battery in your ELT has an acceptable level of functionality and need not be replaced for at least another year when it is again tested as per Canadian Regulations.Provide verification of the location and exact time at which you tested your 406 MHz ELT.Verify that your ELT works successfully and is registered with the Canadian Beacon Registry.

Question 9

True or false: If you successfully do an operational self test and the ELT passes the test then you can assume that the battery is good for another year.

TrueFalse

Question 10

You are planning a flight from Sydney, NS (CYQY) to St. Johns, NL (CYYT) that will involve you being over water for several hours in your light twin. Thankfully, your aeroplane, a Piper Seneca V, is a multi-engine machine with the ability to maintain flight with one engine inoperative (OEI). You will for portions of your route be more than 60 minutes from land and an acceptable landing point so your aeroplane will need to be equipped with…

One type AD, AF or AP ELT as well as one type S ELTOne AP ELT and one type S ELTTwo type S ELTsOne type AD, AF or AP ELT

Have some feedback on the quiz? Contact us!