What's gonna happen to CAP?

"Ron Lee" wrote:

...there is NO (zip, nada) mandate for GA to transition to 406 MHz
ELTs.

True, but:

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html

If I'm down, I want a satellite to pick up the beacon, pronto.

--
Dan
T-182T at BFM

On Sep 19, 12:24 pm, "Dan Luke" wrote:
"Ron Lee" wrote:
...there is NO (zip, nada) mandate for GA to transition to 406 MHz
ELTs.

True, but:

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html

If I'm down, I want a satellite to pick up the beacon, pronto.

It remains to be seen how 121.5 signals will be detected if the gov't
stops looking for them. However, from having hunted for ELTs myself
CAP can find them every single time. There is no concern what-so-ever
that the 121.5 isn't specific enough as to location. Yes, you often
have to have aircraft up to narrow down the signal location but we
often hide ELTs around the state and then send training crews up to
find them and I'm not aware of anytime a crew of air and group crews
could not find an ELT located under any rock anywhere in the state.

-Robert

"Dan Luke" wrote

True, but:

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html

If I'm down, I want a satellite to pick up the beacon, pronto.

You, and me both.

In an aircraft crash, there is always a high chance of life-threatening
injuries. The "golden hour" of receiving treatment is never more important
in these cases. The new 406 ELT's may be the difference of getting
treatment started in the "golden hour." **

I would have to say that a new 406 ELT would be on the top of the equipment
list for a new homebuilt, for me, even though the cost is a significant
burden. It is hard for me to put a price on the value of my life, but I'm
certain it is higher than the new ELT's price.
--
Jim in NC


** PS. For those that are unfamiliar with the term, "golden hour" it refers
to the first hour after the life threatening injuries. It has been shown
that people who receive treatment in the first hour have a significantly
higher chance of surviving, than those who do not get treatment in the first
"golden hour."

I believe the term was originated in a TV show about emergency paramedics.
I could be wrong, and the term was already around when the show picked it
up, and made it a common term.

"Dan Luke" wrote:

"Ron Lee" wrote:

...there is NO (zip, nada) mandate for GA to transition to 406 MHz
ELTs.

True, but:

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html

If I'm down, I want a satellite to pick up the beacon, pronto.

I have a GPS equipped 406 MHz PLB that I can activate and is far
better than my ELT (121.5 MHz). Plus I can take it hiking, driving,
boating, etc.

Ron Lee