As a member of the local Search and Rescue group, I find the ELT units to be
useful to locate downed aircraft. While it is true that they are activated
accidently in many cases (I have located activated ELT units in hangars in
perfectly good aircraft), they are also useful in locating people who are
alive.

I question some of the conclusions arrived at in the article mentioned and
suggest that SARSAT has a vested interest in promoting the newer units (they
are part of it and it justifies their existence). No doubt the newer units
are better - but the standard ELT does work and does save lives.

In terms of expense, I would be willing to bet that it would be less
expensive to purchase a standard ELT now and in 5 years purchase a
replacement unit (at a mass produced lower cost) than to purchase the 406
unit today.

I have been at a crash scene where the ELT did not work. The largest piece
of the ELT case we found was the size of a quarter. But the crash was not
survivable and in that case it did not matter what the aircraft had.

Sometimes choices made are not perfect, but the present cost of an ELT is
significantly less than $400 and it does offer real benefits over not having
one.

Colin


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