ELT Required for all SSA sanctioned contests starting 2006

Most people consider pilot safety as everything needed until that pilot is
safe and sound at his intended destination. Pilots spend thousands of
dollars per year on auto, glider and life insurance. Yet there is this
whine about spending a few hundred dollars one time on a piece of equipment
that could mean the difference between life and death, in the event of a
crash. Handheld radios, cell and satellite phones are all excellent items
for your land out kits, but none of them are automatically activated during
a crash; nor will phones or radios be of any use if you become unconscious.



I had the misfortune of recently being involved in a search for a missing
pilot in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It gave new meaning to
the old saying of “looking for a needle in a haystack”. Fortunately another
pilot going the other direction had passed and talked with the missing pilot
shortly before his communications ceased. This knowledge narrowed the
search area down to only about a 25 mile stretch of 12,000 ft mountain
peaks.



After landing ourselves, three of us got into a Mooney and flew back the 150
miles to the expected search area, where we had about 45 minutes of
remaining daylight in which to search. At this time, had we heard his
voice or an ELT signal on the radio, we would have had at least some idea as
to where the pilot had crashed. This would have meant search and rescue
efforts in force at the crack of dawn.



That evening, after noting that the glider was not ELT equipped, the sheriff
commented that he was not calling the Civil Air Patrol in, because they
primarily looked for ELT’s. It is sad to report that the deceased pilot and
glider were found the next day at about 12,000 msl by a California Highway
Patrol helicopter.



Pilots who fly in remote, mountainous and wilderness areas should reconsider
installing an ELT, if not for themselves, then maybe for their families who
may lose a loved one simply because they weren’t found in time.



M Eiler

"Martin Eiler" wrote in message
...
Most people consider pilot safety as everything needed until that pilot is
safe and sound at his intended destination. Pilots spend thousands of
dollars per year on auto, glider and life insurance. Yet there is this
whine about spending a few hundred dollars one time on a piece of
equipment
that could mean the difference between life and death, in the event of a
crash.

As we are all aware, the old 121.5 MHz ELTs are on their way out, with only
3 more years of promised satallite coverage. The few 406 MHz ELTs that I've
seen have yet to see much of a price drop.

From Chief Aircraft:

Ameri-King AK-450, a popular 121.5 ELT: $183.75 USD

Artex G406, a 406 MHz ELT: $1589.00

Handheld radios, cell and satellite phones are all excellent items
for your land out kits, but none of them are automatically activated
during
a crash; nor will phones or radios be of any use if you become
unconscious.


One of the many problems with the real world experience of the older ELTs,
is that in most cases they have not activated automatically in a crash. They
do, however, seem to activate for a myrid number of non-crash reasons such
as hard landings and whatever. And almost all activations have been false.

Pilots who fly in remote, mountainous and wilderness areas should
reconsider
installing an ELT, if not for themselves, then maybe for their families
who
may lose a loved one simply because they weren’t found in time.



M Eiler


The argument I've seen most often against the US contest requirement for an
installed ELT, is not that there isn't a need for this sort of thing at all,
but rather that a PLB (personal locator beacon) is a more viable solution.
PLBs can be small enough to attach to a parachute harness, operate on 406
MHz (so won't become obsolete in 3 years), can be had with built in GPS to
send a precise location, and will direct search personnel to the pilot as
opposed to the wreckage. Further, they are registered to the pilot so
searcher know who they are looking for, and obviously will work in more than
just one vehicle or activity. Prices have come down to the $500 -$700 range
(w/ GPS built in).

bumper

Hi,

I will soon have "low cost" 406 ELTs from Artex for $995. They are listed
on my web site. I don't have them in stock yet but they should be available
in a few weeks.
http://www.soarmn.com/cumulus/elts.htm

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"bumper" wrote in message
news

"Martin Eiler" wrote in message
...
Most people consider pilot safety as everything needed until that pilot
is
safe and sound at his intended destination. Pilots spend thousands of
dollars per year on auto, glider and life insurance. Yet there is this
whine about spending a few hundred dollars one time on a piece of
equipment
that could mean the difference between life and death, in the event of a
crash.

As we are all aware, the old 121.5 MHz ELTs are on their way out, with
only 3 more years of promised satallite coverage. The few 406 MHz ELTs
that I've seen have yet to see much of a price drop.

From Chief Aircraft:

Ameri-King AK-450, a popular 121.5 ELT: $183.75 USD

Artex G406, a 406 MHz ELT: $1589.00

Handheld radios, cell and satellite phones are all excellent items
for your land out kits, but none of them are automatically activated
during
a crash; nor will phones or radios be of any use if you become
unconscious.


One of the many problems with the real world experience of the older ELTs,
is that in most cases they have not activated automatically in a crash.
They do, however, seem to activate for a myrid number of non-crash reasons
such as hard landings and whatever. And almost all activations have been
false.

Pilots who fly in remote, mountainous and wilderness areas should
reconsider
installing an ELT, if not for themselves, then maybe for their families
who
may lose a loved one simply because they weren't found in time.



M Eiler


The argument I've seen most often against the US contest requirement for
an installed ELT, is not that there isn't a need for this sort of thing at
all, but rather that a PLB (personal locator beacon) is a more viable
solution. PLBs can be small enough to attach to a parachute harness,
operate on 406 MHz (so won't become obsolete in 3 years), can be had with
built in GPS to send a precise location, and will direct search personnel
to the pilot as opposed to the wreckage. Further, they are registered to
the pilot so searcher know who they are looking for, and obviously will
work in more than just one vehicle or activity. Prices have come down to
the $500 -$700 range (w/ GPS built in).

bumper

Not so fast.................Artex has re-called these already....
tim
Wings & Wheels
www.wingsandwheels.com

"Paul Remde" wrote in message
news:mLITe.316115$_o.53729@attbi_s71...
Hi,

I will soon have "low cost" 406 ELTs from Artex for $995. They are listed
on my web site. I don't have them in stock yet but they should be
available in a few weeks.
http://www.soarmn.com/cumulus/elts.htm

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"bumper" wrote in message
news

"Martin Eiler" wrote in message
...
Most people consider pilot safety as everything needed until that pilot
is
safe and sound at his intended destination. Pilots spend thousands of
dollars per year on auto, glider and life insurance. Yet there is this
whine about spending a few hundred dollars one time on a piece of
equipment
that could mean the difference between life and death, in the event of a
crash.

As we are all aware, the old 121.5 MHz ELTs are on their way out, with
only 3 more years of promised satallite coverage. The few 406 MHz ELTs
that I've seen have yet to see much of a price drop.

From Chief Aircraft:

Ameri-King AK-450, a popular 121.5 ELT: $183.75 USD

Artex G406, a 406 MHz ELT: $1589.00

Handheld radios, cell and satellite phones are all excellent items
for your land out kits, but none of them are automatically activated
during
a crash; nor will phones or radios be of any use if you become
unconscious.


One of the many problems with the real world experience of the older
ELTs, is that in most cases they have not activated automatically in a
crash. They do, however, seem to activate for a myrid number of non-crash
reasons such as hard landings and whatever. And almost all activations
have been false.

Pilots who fly in remote, mountainous and wilderness areas should
reconsider
installing an ELT, if not for themselves, then maybe for their families
who
may lose a loved one simply because they weren't found in time.



M Eiler


The argument I've seen most often against the US contest requirement for
an installed ELT, is not that there isn't a need for this sort of thing
at all, but rather that a PLB (personal locator beacon) is a more viable
solution. PLBs can be small enough to attach to a parachute harness,
operate on 406 MHz (so won't become obsolete in 3 years), can be had with
built in GPS to send a precise location, and will direct search personnel
to the pilot as opposed to the wreckage. Further, they are registered to
the pilot so searcher know who they are looking for, and obviously will
work in more than just one vehicle or activity. Prices have come down to
the $500 -$700 range (w/ GPS built in).

bumper

Hi Tim,

I'm aware of the situation. It is my understanding that they are on hold
and will be available again soon. I have some on order.

Paul Remde

"Tim Mara" wrote in message
...
Not so fast.................Artex has re-called these already....
tim
Wings & Wheels
www.wingsandwheels.com

"Paul Remde" wrote in message
news:mLITe.316115$_o.53729@attbi_s71...
Hi,

I will soon have "low cost" 406 ELTs from Artex for $995. They are
listed on my web site. I don't have them in stock yet but they should be
available in a few weeks.
http://www.soarmn.com/cumulus/elts.htm

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"bumper" wrote in message
news

"Martin Eiler" wrote in message
...
Most people consider pilot safety as everything needed until that pilot
is
safe and sound at his intended destination. Pilots spend thousands of
dollars per year on auto, glider and life insurance. Yet there is this
whine about spending a few hundred dollars one time on a piece of
equipment
that could mean the difference between life and death, in the event of
a
crash.

As we are all aware, the old 121.5 MHz ELTs are on their way out, with
only 3 more years of promised satallite coverage. The few 406 MHz ELTs
that I've seen have yet to see much of a price drop.

From Chief Aircraft:

Ameri-King AK-450, a popular 121.5 ELT: $183.75 USD

Artex G406, a 406 MHz ELT: $1589.00

Handheld radios, cell and satellite phones are all excellent items
for your land out kits, but none of them are automatically activated
during
a crash; nor will phones or radios be of any use if you become
unconscious.


One of the many problems with the real world experience of the older
ELTs, is that in most cases they have not activated automatically in a
crash. They do, however, seem to activate for a myrid number of
non-crash reasons such as hard landings and whatever. And almost all
activations have been false.

Pilots who fly in remote, mountainous and wilderness areas should
reconsider
installing an ELT, if not for themselves, then maybe for their families
who
may lose a loved one simply because they weren't found in time.



M Eiler


The argument I've seen most often against the US contest requirement for
an installed ELT, is not that there isn't a need for this sort of thing
at all, but rather that a PLB (personal locator beacon) is a more viable
solution. PLBs can be small enough to attach to a parachute harness,
operate on 406 MHz (so won't become obsolete in 3 years), can be had
with built in GPS to send a precise location, and will direct search
personnel to the pilot as opposed to the wreckage. Further, they are
registered to the pilot so searcher know who they are looking for, and
obviously will work in more than just one vehicle or activity. Prices
have come down to the $500 -$700 range (w/ GPS built in).

bumper

If y'all feel strongly about a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), consider
this: The SSA Board meets in Memphis on OCTOBER 1. SSA Directors need
your items NOW to be included in the agenda. Perhaps an email to the
SSA Rules Committee and your Regional Directors (don't send it to
Dennis Wright - go up through your chain of command) to ask them to
consider adding the option of the PLB, as Bumper suggests below.

The contact info for all our SSA Directors and Committee Chairs can be
found on the SSA webpage, www.ssa.org under SSA Members, Governance.

As I will host a National Contest at Marfa, Texas in 2006, I am in
favor of some sort of ELT / PLB. I like the idea of equpping the
pilot (PLB), not the glider (ELT). I will not be able to sleep if one
pilot is missing, even after their safe landing on the Marfa plateau.
Cellphone coverage is poor here. Lots of places to land, but few roads
and lots of fences. We strongly recommend anyone flying at Marfa
bring a capable crew, and install a good radio whip antenna (tall &
tuned) on their crew car. Handhelds with rubber-ducky's don't cut it.
For certain tasks and for good radio contact, sending your crew on the
road is worthwhile, if you want to get yourself back to our brisket and
beer party by sunset.

Burt
Marfa, west Texas
www.flygliders.com

Bumper wrote:

a PLB (personal locator beacon) is a more viable solution.
PLBs can be small enough to attach to a parachute harness, operate on
406
MHz (so won't become obsolete in 3 years), can be had with built in GPS
to
send a precise location, and will direct search personnel to the pilot
as
opposed to the wreckage. Further, they are registered to the pilot so
searcher know who they are looking for, and obviously will work in more
than
just one vehicle or activity. Prices have come down to the $500 -$700
range
(w/ GPS built in).

This is a done deal.
The contest organizers will be able to stipulate
if you fly in "there" contest or not.
An ELT will be a prerequisite if you want to compete.
Some organizers had it already in place this year.
Udo

wrote in message
oups.com...
If y'all feel strongly about a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), consider
this: The SSA Board meets in Memphis on OCTOBER 1. SSA Directors need
your items NOW to be included in the agenda. Perhaps an email to the
SSA Rules Committee and your Regional Directors (don't send it to
Dennis Wright - go up through your chain of command) to ask them to
consider adding the option of the PLB, as Bumper suggests below.

The contact info for all our SSA Directors and Committee Chairs can be
found on the SSA webpage, www.ssa.org under SSA Members, Governance.

As I will host a National Contest at Marfa, Texas in 2006, I am in
favor of some sort of ELT / PLB. I like the idea of equpping the
pilot (PLB), not the glider (ELT). I will not be able to sleep if one
pilot is missing, even after their safe landing on the Marfa plateau.
Cellphone coverage is poor here. Lots of places to land, but few roads
and lots of fences. We strongly recommend anyone flying at Marfa
bring a capable crew, and install a good radio whip antenna (tall &
tuned) on their crew car. Handhelds with rubber-ducky's don't cut it.
For certain tasks and for good radio contact, sending your crew on the
road is worthwhile, if you want to get yourself back to our brisket and
beer party by sunset.

Burt
Marfa, west Texas
www.flygliders.com

Bumper wrote:

a PLB (personal locator beacon) is a more viable solution.
PLBs can be small enough to attach to a parachute harness, operate on
406
MHz (so won't become obsolete in 3 years), can be had with built in GPS
to
send a precise location, and will direct search personnel to the pilot
as
opposed to the wreckage. Further, they are registered to the pilot so
searcher know who they are looking for, and obviously will work in more
than
just one vehicle or activity. Prices have come down to the $500 -$700
range
(w/ GPS built in).

HI Burt:
Agenda for October meeting is set. This item is handled by the Rules
Subcommittee and will be on the pending pilot poll. The poll results
will be used to guide the RC proposed rules which will be voted on by
the BOD at the Winter meeting.
Hank Nixon
SSA Contest Rule Subcommittee Chair