Re: ELT Required for all SSA sanctioned contests starting 2006Re: ELT Required for all SSA sanctione

[Steve Leonard]

wrote:
When the fuselage gets broken, so does the antenna
lead.
UH

So, why not use that tail battery box for your ELT
installation?
ZS

[bumper]

"Steve Leonard" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
> When the fuselage gets broken, so does the antenna
> lead.
> UH
>
> So, why not use that tail battery box for your ELT
> installation?
> ZS
>

Okay, now where does the ELT fit? With few exceptions, most of them are
pretty clunky so they can work on all those cheap D-Cells with the "use-by"
date stamped on 'em.

If you put the ELT on the package shelf, then the antenna wire *and* power
lead get broken with the fuselage (g).

bumper

[jphoenix]

It appears there will be a number of new ELT installations in TC'd
gliders in the coming months, so here's a review of the maintenance
topic from the latest revision of AC 43.13.

Note: since 91.207(a) does not include gliders, the 91.207(d)12 month
inspection MAY not be applicable, I would not be interested in arguing
that point with my IA or local Federale, so be my guest.


>From www.faa.gov, select Advisory Circulars in the drop-down menu,
search for 43.13 on the AC page and open the .pdf file for Chapters
12/13. It does not say anything here about new installations in TC'd
aircraft, but it does not appear on the list of preventive maintenance
that a pilot can sign off, so you should use your best judgement when
installing these things seeing as how there is a rule that says they
have to be inspected... maybe.

12-21. EMERGENCY LOCATOR
TRANSMITTERS (ELT). The ELT must
be evaluated in accordance with TSO-C91a,
TSO-C126 for 406 MHz ELT's, or later TSO's
issued for ELT's. ELT installations must be
examined for potential operational problems at
least once a year (section 91.207(d)). There
have been numerous instances of interaction
between ELT and other VHF installations.
Antenna location should be as far as possible
from other antennas to prevent efficiency
losses. Check ELT antenna installations in
close proximity to other VHF antennas for
suspected interference. Antenna patterns of
previously installed VHF antennas could be
measured after an ELT installation. Tests
should be conducted during the first 5 minutes
after any hour. If operational tests must be
made outside of this time frame, they should
be coordinated with the nearest FAA Control
Tower or FSS. Tests should be no longer than
three audible sweeps.
12-22. INSPECTION OF ELT. An inspection
of the following must be accomplished
by a properly certified person or repair
station within 12-calendar months after the last
inspection:
a. Proper Installation.
(1) Remove all interconnections to the
ELT unit and ELT antenna. Visually inspect
and confirm proper seating of all connector
pins. Special attention should be given to coaxial
center conductor pins, which are prone to
retracting into the connector housing.
(2) Remove the ELT from the mount
and inspect the mounting hardware for proper
installation and security.
(3) Reinstall the ELT into its mount and
verify the proper direction for crash activation.
Reconnect all cables. They should have some
slack at each end and should be properly secured
to the airplane structure for support and
protection.
b. Battery Corrosion. Gain access to the
ELT battery and inspect. No corrosion should
be detectable. Verify the ELT battery is approved
and check its expiration date.
c. Operation of the Controls and Crash
Sensor. Activate the ELT using an applied
force. Consult the ELT manufacturer's instructions
before activation. The direction for
mounting and force activation is indicated on
the ELT. A TSO-C91 ELT can be activated by
using a quick rap with the palm. A TSO-C91a
ELT can be activated by using a rapid forward
(throwing) motion coupled by a rapid reversing
action. Verify that the ELT can be activated
using a watt meter, the airplane's VHF
radio communications receiver tuned to
121.5 MHz, or other means (see NOTE 1).
Insure that the "G" switch has been reset if applicable.
d. For a Sufficient Signal Radiated
>From its Antenna. Activate the ELT using
the ON or ELT TEST switch. A low-quality
AM broadcast radio receiver should be used to
determine if energy is being transmitted from
the antenna. When the antenna of the AM
broadcast radio receiver (tuning dial on any
setting) is held about 6 inches from the activated
ELT antenna, the ELT aural tone will be
heard (see NOTE 2 and 3).
e. Verify that All Switches are Properly
Labeled and Positioned.
f. Record the Inspection. (A&P) Record the inspection
in the aircraft maintenance records
according to 14 CFR part 43, section 43.9. We
suggest the following:
I inspected the Make/Model ______________
ELT system in this aircraft according to applicable
Aircraft and ELT manufacturer's instructions
and applicable FAA guidance and
found that it meets the requirements of section
91.207(d).
Signed: ______________________
Certificate No. ______________________
Date: ______________________
NOTE 1: This is not a measured
check; it only indicates that the
G-switch is working.
NOTE 2: This is not a measured
check; but it does provide confidence
that the antenna is radiating with sufficient
power to aid search and rescue.
The signal may be weak even if it is
picked up by an aircraft VHF receiver
located at a considerable distance
from the radiating ELT. Therefore,
this check does not check the integrity
of the ELT system or provide the same
level of confidence as does the AM radio
check.
NOTE 3: Because the ELT radiates
on the emergency frequency, the Federal
Communications Commission allows
these tests only to be conducted
within the first five minutes after any
hour and is limited in three sweeps of
the transmitter audio modulation.

....Rgds,

Jim