6 EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER (ELT)

• 6.1 General
  • 6.1.1 The essence of a successful SAR operation is the speed with which it can be accomplished. In each incident the SAR organisation will always assume that there are survivors who need help and whose chances of survival diminish with time. ELT facilitate rapid location of a distress incident by day and night and their carriage is now compulsory in most New Zealand registered aircraft (see GEN 1.5) and surface vessels. These battery operated radio transmitters emit a radio signal modulated by a distinctive downward swept audio tone. ELT operate on 121.5 MHz (for homing purposes), and a formatted digital data burst at 50-second intervals on 406 MHz (for detection by satellite).
  • 6.2 ELT Activation
    • 6.2.1 To prevent valuable search time being wasted it is imperative that:
      • (a) All ELTs are registered with RCCNZ.
      • (b) Any ELT that is not automatically activated is switched on as soon as possible before or after any emergency and left on until rescued.
      • (c) If the emergency situation is recovered, ATS or RCCNZ is notified first then the ELT is switched off.
      • (d) If the ELT is switched off and ATS or RCCNZ have not been notified as soon as possible, it will be assumed that the aircraft has crashed and search planning and a SAR response will have commenced.
    • 6.2.2 The pilot of an aircraft in a distress situation should activate the ELT while still in flight.
  • 6.3 Inadvertent Activation
    • 6.3.1 Inadvertent activation of ELT has occurred on numerous occasions in New Zealand. It can occur as a result of aerobatics, hard landing, or accidental activation during aircraft servicing. To detect an inadvertent activation pilots should:
      (a) prior to engine shut down at the end of each flight, tune the aircraft receiver to 121.5 MHz and listen for ELT signals; and
      • (b) if an ELT is heard, ensure that their own aircraft's ELT is not operating. If it is found that it has been activated, switch it off and take the action described in 6.3.2 then switch it off.
      Note: Maintenance may be required before an automatic activation unit is returned to the armed position.
    • 6.3.2 Any person detecting the inadvertent activation of an ELT must report the activation immediately to the nearest ATS unit in order that any RCCNZ action commenced as a result of the transmission may be terminated.
  • 6.4 ELT Testing
    • 6.4.1 Live testing of 406 MHz is NOT permitted unless coordinated with RCCNZ at least two working days prior to the test, and with notification of the ELT HexID/UiN, time and location of the test, and the person to contact during the test.
    • 6.4.2 ELT transmitter test is authorised ONLY on 121.5 MHz as follows:
      • (a) tests should be no longer than three audio sweeps and NOT exceed 20 seconds; and
      • (b) tests may be conducted on 121.5 MHz only within the time period made up of the first five minutes after each hour. Emergency tests outside this time must be coordinated with both the nearest ATS unit and RCCNZ. Airborne ELT tests are NOT permitted.
  • 6.5 ELT Reporting Procedures
    • 6.5.1 On receiving an ELT signal, pilots must report the following information to the nearest ATS unit:
      • (a) aircraft position and time when the signal was first heard;
      • (b) aircraft position and time when the signal was last heard;
      • (c) aircraft position at maximum signal strength; and
      • (d) aircraft level, strength and frequency of emergency signal on 121.5 MHz.