"Andy Durbin" wrote in message
om...

Problem seems to be that there are very few 406 ELTs available and, if
there is a TSO, I couldn't find it.


TSO C-126

Look he http://av-info.faa.gov/tso/Tsocur/Current.htm

Lotsa big talk about ELT's. Not all very true and correct, lotsa good ideas,
but if you actually own an "aircraft" that requires one, you'll be well
served to read the rule that says no more *new* installations using a
TSO-C91 unit. I think it's 91.207 or something thereabouts - very
confusing - it was designed that way I believe.

If you own an aircraft (such as a glider) that does not currently require
one - do what you wish, but if it's US certificated, best to follow the
rules because when you crash is when the rule book comes out. Looks like a
gray (grey for our friends across the pond) area to me, but I suppose if you
elect to install an ELT in a glider that doesn't require one, you can put in
whatever you want. Nobody's gonna care anyhow except your A&P or IA because
maybe he has to sign it off. The Contest Management won't care because they
don't know.

We've had 406 mHz units in our 747's for years - the nice thing about the
406 units is that when they go off, they (the SAR folks) know instantly (LEO
sat I think) not only where the ELT is, but who to call - and we've gotten
calls when they have gone off mistakenly - they have professionals
monitoring these things and they take them very seriously. If you install
one, be damn sure you follow the rules and don't leave it on inadvertantly
because these guys have a tendency to follow up on this kind of thing.

Also, the 406 units are registered - you'll want to keep that up to date as
well or you'll have the Coasties or NOAA on your butt. I just finished a
midair investigation during which we found the tail section of one of the
aircraft because it had an ELT (old one), otherwise we never would have
found the tail because it was a mile away from the rest of the pieces.

Jim