ELT antenna in composite planes.

Cy,

That is assuming the ELT will always work. During a crash the ELT may
be destroyed and/or your personal satellite PLB may not go off if you
are injured. According to APOA, ELT failure rate is about 27% - not
too good, not good for Foster, the man with the satellite signal
watch. The 406's failure rate is about 19% - still not too good ( see
http://www.montanapilots.org/ ). At 1000 AGL with a 12/1 glide ratio
the plane is no more than about two miles from the last point - and
you roughly know the direction. But seldom APRS will not get detected
at 500 AGL. The standard ($1000+) 406 ELT accuracy is about two
miles. A $3000+ 406 will transmit your position to the satellite from
your aircraft gps navigation - assuming that your avionics will work
after the crash. Hmmm... $1000, $3000??? An APRS tracker is only
couple hundred bucks - NO subscription fees.

On Nov 5, 9:59 pm, "Cy Galley" wrote:
One doesn't crash 1000 feet in the air and line of sight is what really
works. That's why they use a satellite which helps immensely when down in
the trees and valleys

--
Cy Galley
EAA Safety Programs Editor
Always looking for ideas and articles for EAA Sport Pilot
New address -