-I would like to add one change to Eric's proposal and that is
concerning the requirement for a mounted ELT. I understand the
differences of a mounted/g switch activation and personal ELT's. I
would hope that with all the personal ones being carried by pilots
already, that these would be accepted for a period of time. I would
very much like to have a unit with the GPS and aircraft code but not at
the present cost. I presently have a personal ELT and would have to
consider the expense of obtaining a present mounted model and only
using it until the price becomes more reasonable for the new soon to be
mandated 405 models. So, I suggest and request the Rules committee
allow the personal ELT's at those contests where ELT's will be
required. A suggestion to those contests where ELT's would be
required. There should be an adequate contestant notification period
of time. I suggest nothing less than six months before the contest
date.
Tom
Idaho

Eric Greenwell wrote:
BGMIFF wrote:
You guys are all missing the point. if you have ever been to a
contest that
unfortunately suffers a fatality, you will all quit typing and buy
and ELT
immediately. Trust me, the wisdom of this has been thouroughly
reviewed by
the rules comittee. Well said 9B!

I have been to a contest with a fatality, and no one even thought
about
buying an ELT. It happened near the airport. Does one fatality near
the
airport in a contest area (Ephrata, WA) in 30 years justify mandatory

ELTs for everyone? I don't think so, especially since our area is
95%+
open rolling hills that are easy to search. Here's my proposal:

1) The Rules Committee promotes and encourages ELT use. If this is a
good idea, it can be sold, though it might take a few years to get
close
to 100% usage at contests.

2) The rules allow any contest director to require an ELT as a
condition
of entry. This lets the CD to make the tradeoff between potentially
fewer entries and the amount of grief and anguish the contest
operations
people are willing to risk. After all, the ELT is being installed for

THEIR benefit, so they should have a say in the value of this
benefit.

3) The pilot is encouraged to discuss the cost of the ELT and it's
benefit with the pilot's spouse and other family members. It is for
THEIR benefit that the ELTs are being mandated, so they should have a

choice on spending their dollars for it, or for some other benefit.

Personally, I fly with a mounted ELT, mostly because it makes my wife

feel better about the extensive cross-country flying I do (it might
possibly even help me, if I survive the crash). It can be activated
manually, so I don't have to depend on impact.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA