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United States Pilots Association |
On February 1, 2009, NOAA will stop monitoring 121.5 MHz ELT signals by satellite. Since the FAA has not issued a mandate to upgrade ELTs to the new 406 MHz international standard, pilots are not required to make the upgrade. However, for safety reasons, many may choose to make the change. After February 1 only ground stations and passing aircraft will detect 121.5 MHz signals, and these are easily blocked by terrain, making downed planes harder to locate. Only pilots traveling to Mexico, Canada, or another country are required to have the new 406 MHz units, which can easily cost more than $1,000 installed. The new transmitters send a much more precise location signal, enabling searchers to narrow down the location to one square mile, compared with 20 or more for older units.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA