elt question

[PapuaPilot]

An interesting business model. I wonder how long the AI can keep it up. Think anyone will risk taking their 40 year old aircraft to them?

That price seems a little over the top for a C-150, but I am an IA. All that to say, if I found incomplete or unsigned work on an aircraft I would want to look into it. In this case it may have required a complete teardown of the the nose strut and inspection of the mounting structure, etc. Also a red flag would be raised about a prop strike, which could happen even if the engine wasn't running (by definition from the engine mfg.). As an IA I am attesting to the airworthiness of the entire aircraft at the time I sign it off; both that it is in a condition for safe flight (the inspection) and that it conforms to its type design (the paperwork part, not just the last year but from day one). It is a big responsibility.

IF this IA is doing excessing or unneeded work the word will get around and people won't be coming to him.

[Dorsal]

This thread convinced me to go ahead and order the ACK E-04, if I'm going to get it eventually might as well get it now. Will be using the GDL-82 as a GPS source (just installed), will report back if there are any issues.

[jonstark]

I’ve got a new ACK-E04 that must be “tested”.

Looking into this it appears as though I am supposed to notify the authorities prior to testing if I don’t have the test equipment in house and need to do a “live” test. Who do I call? ATC, USAF, NOAA?

There is a company offering $30/year and $30/test verification.

What are you guys doing to verify proper antenna emission strength annually?

Jon

Edit to add...
Having just read the sarsat/noaa policy the fee for service noted above is the way to go. They are able to read the self test broadcast and will notify of successful transmission. No need to ask Mother may I of the powers that be.

[Dave S]

Jon,


The people who manage this is NOAA.



There is an answer to most questions on testing (from the horse's mouth) on their web site.


http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/Beacon%20...%20Policy.html


Also, you have to register the beacon with them when it is installed in the aircraft - I don't know if that is what you meant by notifying the authorities.


In any case, there is a phone number or two which will connect you with help for anything SARSAT; and, you should have these numbers in your plane and on your phone.



The numbers are 301-817-4515; and, too free, 888-212-7283


You will want these if ever there is an "oops" with the switch or test. These folks have no draconian proclivities - they are there to save our butts if we need it and there to contact if a false transmission goes off so they don't initiate SAR activities unnecessarily - when you register the beacon, there are several contact phone numbers you can choose to have them to call you or your emergency contact - this works for "oops" events too.


They will help you on the phone with with any unanswered setup or registration or use questions.

[jonstark]

There are a number of places offering advice on testing. It was confusing with some saying just call ATC or your tower where another said to apply for a live test to see if you qualify to send out a live emergency signal. Finally the application said to read the noaa policy before making application. Where I do believe after reading the policy that a new installation test would be authorized they recommend using the fee for service site. As previously stated instead of sending a real signal they can decode what is broadcast during self test and tell you if you’re ok. This prevents a real emergency that might be in progress concurrently from being impacted.

I will keep those numbers handy tho!

Jon

[Dorsal]

Jon,
I just registered my E-04 and expect to be satisfied with the self test that can be initiated by the pilot (first 5 minutes of the hour). BTW which airport are you based at, 0B5?

Dave,
Thanks for posting those numbers, just entered them into my phone.

[Danzer1]

There are a number of places offering advice on testing.

The best advice you should take is from the manufacturer, as the rule states something to the effect that all testing must be performed in accordance with the manufacturers requirements (or instructions) - can't remember which. Check your manual. If unclear, I would get clarification from ACK before listening to anyone else.

YMMV, Greg

[jonstark]

Upon initial installation and then annually we must check the installation, controls and signal strength of the ELT. Without $5000 worth of shields, receivers and antenna dummy loads the only way to test properly (not by initiating a false alarm) is to either apply to NOAA for permission to do a live test or pay a service to watch for your self test at a scheduled time.

Use of the service prevents the emergency system from being overloaded with false emergencies.

Just doing a self test and listening on your radio is insufficient to test signal strength properly.

Look at the NOAA ELT testing policy for this data.

Dave, I am at Turners Falls. You?

Jon