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Thread: ELT Recommendations

  1. #11

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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Anyone running an ELT with a built in GPS?

    Clark

  2. #12
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    not built in but mine will be slaved off of the Garmin WAAS GPS. if your using a glass panel this would likely be much more cost effective than buying one with a built in GPS. Im curious now, what ELT has a built in GPS?

  3. #13
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    The added benefit of the internal GPS is that it is standalone and will continue to transmit a GPS position even if it loses GPS data from the aircraft. I decided not to get one because they cost so much. The ACK 04 and others can have an external GPS input. If you have time in an emergency you can activate the ELT before you land using the remote switch and it will be tracking you all the way down.


    The second item I would like to address it the annual inspection requirements.

    Where I work it is our understanding that you only need to follow the ICA (Instructions for Continued Airworthiness) for each brand of 406 ELT.
    - The ICA for the ACK-04 is Section 10 of the Installation Manual, which includes doing the self test every 3 months (Section 9).

    FAR 91.207 (d) (annual inspection requirements) does say to check an ELT for:
    (1) Proper installation;
    (2) Battery corrosion;
    (3) Operation of the controls and crash sensor; and
    (4) The presence of a sufficient signal radiated from its antenna.

    The ACK-04 ICA definitely has you checking items #1 and 3.
    It is #2 and 4 that is getting lots of debate. Again it is my understanding that:
    - The self test checks for proper signal strength* and battery condition.
    - The ELT doesn't need to be bench tested by an avionics shop for signal strength.
    - If the ICA doesn't tell you to inspect the battery pack for corrosion then you don't need to open it. FYI Some ELTs have a rubber seal that must be replaced every time you open it. Again, some will disagree on this point.

    *FYI there could still be a problem with antenna cable or antenna and the self test may not detect those. You still need to look at the condition of these, but the ACK manual does tell you to look closely at these (section 10, item 2).
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  4. #14
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    The ACK battery pack, which contains 4 Li SO2 “D” cell batteries has sealing material over the screws, and ACK says specifically that it is not “airworthy” if you open it. The only real adequate way to inspect for corrosion would be to open it. They really just don’t want you to replace the batteries in the pack yourself, in my opinion.
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
    EAA Lifetime
    Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime

  5. #15
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    John, where did you find that information for the ACK batteries? I don't see it in the installation manual.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  6. #16
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by PapuaPilot View Post
    John, where did you find that information for the ACK batteries? I don't see it in the installation manual.
    I took one apart.
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
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  7. #17
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    LOL, nice John.

  8. #18
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Hey! we are experimenters - that is how we find out how stuff works!
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  9. #19
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    As a maintenance instructor and an A&P-IA this topic really caught my attention. I have been talking to my co-workers about the subject this morning and I just got off the phone with a tech person at ACK.

    Thanks John for the answer about the ACK battery not being airworthy if it was opened. The ACK factory tech agrees - "Don't open the battery, it is sealed unit that is meant to be replaced every 5 years (at the expire date) or if the power/voltage is low".

    I need to retract some of what I said earlier and give a better answer about the requirements for 406 ELT inspections. I will specifically address the ACK-04 ELT, but the principles apply to all 406 ELTs.

    Every country has its own requirements and I will only address what the FARs require in the USA. If you are in Canada, etc. you need to follow your country's rules for 406 ELTs. Canada has more requirements than the USA does.

    The most important thing we need to do is comply with the requirements of FAR 91.207(D) which says:
    (d) Each emergency locator transmitter required by paragraph (a) of this section must be inspected within 12 calendar months after the last inspection for -
    (1) Proper installation
    - This is covered in the ACK manual Section 10
    (2) Battery corrosion
    - Not covered in the ACK manual. The ACK tech guy said DO NOT open the battery, but you can separate the battery pack from the transmitter section of the ELT and inspect the + and - terminals for corrosion.
    - This portion of the FAR is related to the older 121.5 ELTs that had replaceable D cell batteries which had a tendency to leak.
    - As a general rule: Only open a battery pack to check for corrosion if your country or the manufacture requires it. This may involve replacing a seal and other parts and varies from brand to brand.
    (3) Operation of the controls and crash sensor; and
    - This is covered in the ACK manual Sections 9 & 10.
    - For other brands follow their instructions for checking the G switch and other controls, including the remote switch.
    (4) The presence of a sufficient signal radiated from its antenna.
    - This is not covered in the ACK manual. The required self test does not test the signal radiated from the antenna.
    - Notice that it talks about the signal from the antenna. This actually is talking about the 121.5mHz signal, not the 406mHz. See below where AC43.13-1B gives you a way to test this with an AM radio, which means you really don't need to take your ELT to an avionics shop or repair station to test this.

    The other FAA document that gives us guidance to inspect an ELT is AC43.13-1B, Section 12-22.
    12-22. INSPECTION OF ELT. An inspection of the following must be accomplished by a properly certified person or repair station within 12-calendar months after the last inspection:

    a. Proper Installation.
    (1) Remove all interconnections to the ELT unit and ELT antenna. Visually inspect and confirm proper seating of all connector pins. Special attention should be given to co- axial center conductor pins, which are prone to retracting into the connector housing.
    (2) Remove the ELT from the mount and inspect the mounting hardware for proper installation and security.
    (3) Reinstall the ELT into its mount and verify the proper direction for crash activation. Reconnect all cables. They should have some slack at each end and should be properly se- cured to the airplane structure for support and protection.

    b. Battery Corrosion. Gain access to the ELT battery and inspect. No corrosion should be detectable. Verify the ELT battery is ap- proved and check its expiration date.

    c. Operation of the Controls and Crash Sensor. Activate the ELT using an applied force. Consult the ELT manufacturer’s instructions before activation. The direction for mounting and force activation is indicated on the ELT. A TSO-C91 ELT can be activated by using a quick rap with the palm. A TSO-C91a ELT can be activated by using a rapid forward (throwing) motion coupled by a rapid revers- ing action. Verify that the ELT can be activated using a watt meter, the airplane’s VHF radio communications receiver tuned to 121.5 MHz, or other means (see NOTE 1). Insure that the “G” switch has been reset if applicable.

    d. For a Sufficient Signal Radiated From its Antenna. Activate the ELT using the ON or ELT TEST switch. A low-quality AM broadcast radio receiver should be used to determine if energy is being transmitted from the antenna. When the antenna of the AM broadcast radio receiver (tuning dial on any setting) is held about 6 inches from the acti- vated ELT antenna, the ELT aural tone will be heard (see NOTE 2 and 3).

    e. Verify that All Switches are Properly Labeled and Positioned.

    f. Record the Inspection. Record the inspection in the aircraft maintenance records according to 14 CFR part 43, section 43.9. We suggest the following:
    I inspected the Make/Model ______________ ELT system in this aircraft according to applicable Aircraft and ELT manufacturer’s instructions and applicable FAA guidance and found that it meets the requirements of sec- tion 91.207(d).
    Signed: _______
    Certificate No. _______
    Date: _______


    Notice that the recommended FAA logbook entry says we have inspected the ELT according to:
    (1) Aircraft instructions (None - we are the manufacturer, unless it is an S-LSA)
    (2) ELT instructions (Of your brand)
    (3) Applicable FAA guidance (AC43.13-1B)
    (4) The requirements of FAR 91.207(d)
    The FAA is saying you must to do all of these things to legally complete an annual inspection on an ELT.


    NOTE 1: This is not a measured check; it only indicates that the G-switch is working.

    NOTE 2: This is not a measured check; but it does provide confidence that the antenna is radiating with sufficient power to aid search and rescue. The signal may be weak even if it is picked up by an aircraft VHF receiver located at a considerable distance from the radiating ELT. Therefore, this check does not check the integrity of the ELT system or provide the same level of confidence as does the AM radio check.

    NOTE 3: Because the ELT radiates on the emergency frequency, the Fed- eral Communications Commission allows these tests only to be conducted within the first five minutes after any hour and is limited in three sweeps of the transmitter audio modulation.

    Lastly, follow the manufacture's instructions (ICA) or maintenance manual procedures.
    - Follow the ELT manufacturer's instructions for continued airworthiness found in their manual(s). For the ACK-04 you need to do everything listed in Section 10.
    - It may have more than the FAA requirements. Do these too.
    - It may duplicate what the FAA requires. Don't do it twice.
    - It may not include everything the FAA requires. Do what the FAA says too.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  10. #20
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Thank you Phil. Good info.


    DesertFox4
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