ELT Recommendations

[Jaguar56]

Along these lines....

I have my plane in for Annual condition inspection with a Rotax specialist just N of San Antonio. They found that my Ameri-King ELT battery was dead. And likely has been since I bought it less than a year ago. Based on the issues w Ameri-King I was ready to pull it and replace w an ACK E-04.

But the AP proceeded to tell me about how everyone is doing 406 ELT inspections wrong and that they have to be tested with specific equipment from the manufacturer. That means taking it to an avionics shop w that very specialized gear. And he says it is every ELT, every year.

Having gone through 6 years w a Cirrus and never hearing that, I smell BS. My guess is he is reading more in to regulations than actually exist and that the self Test created by the manufacturers will make the FAA happy. I found a thread on another forum that backs that up. But apparently there are some that are convinced the more invasive and expensive Test is required.

Based on this discussion my goal was to find the most direct way of getting the plane out of Annual. And that was to find new batteries for the existing AK unit. They were not TSO batteries (I know, just wait), but they will do to get the plane out of the shop.

And then my plan is to buy and install an ACK unit as quickly as possible.

So I have two questions....

Has anyone heard of the need for that extensive annual testing?

And could anyone share info (pictures) and guidance on your ACK install?

[Dave S]

Jaguar

There are two components to the annual testing.

1) does the hing transmit - easy to do

2) does the device which detects a G load work.

I suspect the second is what the person is talking about. I also suspect there is more than one way to test the G switch.

[tracstarr]

Thanks. The ACK E-04 was one I was looking at.

[Jaguar56]

Jaguar

There are two components to the annual testing.

1) does the hing transmit - easy to do

2) does the device which detects a G load work.

I suspect the second is what the person is talking about. I also suspect there is more than one way to test the G switch.

He was speaking of hooking the system up to some external testing system specific to the manufacturer. So much more than a G switch test. As mentioned here, that is simply a push and stop motion.

In any case he was not prepared to install the new system due to his belief that it requires special equipment and testing. So at this point I just want to get the plane out so I can move forward getting it replaced.

[Clark in AZ]

Anyone running an ELT with a built in GPS?

Clark

[efwd]

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?

[PapuaPilot]

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).

[jrevens]

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.

[jiott]

I have the ACK E-04, and have not heard of the more extensive tests you refer to. Per the manufacturer's instructions, I do the easy self-test every 3 months (just push the test button and look for LED flash and one beep). Then every annual I do the more extensive test where you remove the unit and yank it to activate the G-switch and listen for the squeal on the radio to make sure it is transmitting to the satellites. All done without any special equipment.