Burt Compton - Marfa
September 6th 07, 03:09 PM
This "new, old news" just out from the FAA:
Termination of 121.5 MHz Beacons for Satellite Alerting is Coming Soon
Notice Number: NOTC0981
On 1 February 2009, the International Cospas-Sarsat [1] Organization
(U.S. included) will terminate processing of distress signals emitted
by 121.5 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs). This means that
pilots flying aircraft equipped with 121.5 MHz ELTs after that date
will have to depend on pilots of over flying aircraft and or ground
stations monitoring 121.5 to hear and report distress alert signals,
transmitted from a possible crash site.
Why is this happening?
Although lives have been saved by 121.5 MHz ELTs, the downside has
been their propensity to generate false alerts (approximately 98
percent of all 121.5 MHz alerts are false), and their failure to
provide rescue forces with timely and accurate crash location data.
Both of which actually delay rescue efforts and have a direct effect
on an individual's chance for survival. Rescue forces have to respond
to all 121.5 MHz alerts to determine if they are real distress alerts
or if they are being generated by an interferer, an inadvertent
activation (by the owner) or equipment failure.
Is there an alternative?
Yes, the Cospas-Sarsat System (U.S. included) has been and will
continue processing emergency signals transmitted by 406 MHz ELTs.
These 5 Watt digital beacons transmit a much stronger signal, are more
accurate, verifiable and traceable to the registered beacon owner (406
MHz ELTs must be registered by the owner in accordance with Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) regulation). Registration allows the
search and rescue authorities to contact the beacon owner, or his or
her designated alternate by telephone to determine if a real emergency
exists. Therefore, a simple telephone call often solves a 406 MHz
alerts without launching costly and limited search and rescue
resources, which would have to be done for a 121.5 MHz alert. For
these reasons, the search and rescue community is encouraging aircraft
owners to consider retrofit of 406 MHz ELTs or at a minimum, consider
the purchase of a handheld 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) which
can be carried in the cockpit while continuing to maintain a fixed
121.5 MHz ELT mounted in the aircraft's tail.
Remember, after February 1, 2009, the world-wide Cospas-Sarsat
satellite system will no longer process 121.5 MHz alert signals.
Pilots involved in aircraft accidents in remote areas will have to
depend on pilots of over flying aircraft and or ground stations to
hear emergency ELT distress signals. For further information
concerning the termination of 121.5 MHz data processing visit
www.sarsat.noaa.gov
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] The Cospas-Sarsat Organization provides a satellite based world-
wide monitoring system that detects and locates distress signals
transmitted by Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), Emergency
Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator
Beacons (PLBs). The system includes space and ground segments which
process the signals received from the beacon source and forwards the
distress alert data to the appropriate RescueCoordinationCenter for
action.
Address SARSAT inquiries to:
NOAA SARSAT
NSOF. E/SP3
4231 SuitlandRoad
Suitland, MD 20746
Phone: 301.817.4515 Toll free: 888.212.7283
Fax: 301.817.4565
You have received this notice from FAASafety.gov because you have
selected "General Information" in your preferences on your
FAASafety.gov account. Click here to log in and edit your preferences
on FAASafety.gov.
Termination of 121.5 MHz Beacons for Satellite Alerting is Coming Soon
Notice Number: NOTC0981
On 1 February 2009, the International Cospas-Sarsat [1] Organization
(U.S. included) will terminate processing of distress signals emitted
by 121.5 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs). This means that
pilots flying aircraft equipped with 121.5 MHz ELTs after that date
will have to depend on pilots of over flying aircraft and or ground
stations monitoring 121.5 to hear and report distress alert signals,
transmitted from a possible crash site.
Why is this happening?
Although lives have been saved by 121.5 MHz ELTs, the downside has
been their propensity to generate false alerts (approximately 98
percent of all 121.5 MHz alerts are false), and their failure to
provide rescue forces with timely and accurate crash location data.
Both of which actually delay rescue efforts and have a direct effect
on an individual's chance for survival. Rescue forces have to respond
to all 121.5 MHz alerts to determine if they are real distress alerts
or if they are being generated by an interferer, an inadvertent
activation (by the owner) or equipment failure.
Is there an alternative?
Yes, the Cospas-Sarsat System (U.S. included) has been and will
continue processing emergency signals transmitted by 406 MHz ELTs.
These 5 Watt digital beacons transmit a much stronger signal, are more
accurate, verifiable and traceable to the registered beacon owner (406
MHz ELTs must be registered by the owner in accordance with Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) regulation). Registration allows the
search and rescue authorities to contact the beacon owner, or his or
her designated alternate by telephone to determine if a real emergency
exists. Therefore, a simple telephone call often solves a 406 MHz
alerts without launching costly and limited search and rescue
resources, which would have to be done for a 121.5 MHz alert. For
these reasons, the search and rescue community is encouraging aircraft
owners to consider retrofit of 406 MHz ELTs or at a minimum, consider
the purchase of a handheld 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) which
can be carried in the cockpit while continuing to maintain a fixed
121.5 MHz ELT mounted in the aircraft's tail.
Remember, after February 1, 2009, the world-wide Cospas-Sarsat
satellite system will no longer process 121.5 MHz alert signals.
Pilots involved in aircraft accidents in remote areas will have to
depend on pilots of over flying aircraft and or ground stations to
hear emergency ELT distress signals. For further information
concerning the termination of 121.5 MHz data processing visit
www.sarsat.noaa.gov
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] The Cospas-Sarsat Organization provides a satellite based world-
wide monitoring system that detects and locates distress signals
transmitted by Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), Emergency
Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator
Beacons (PLBs). The system includes space and ground segments which
process the signals received from the beacon source and forwards the
distress alert data to the appropriate RescueCoordinationCenter for
action.
Address SARSAT inquiries to:
NOAA SARSAT
NSOF. E/SP3
4231 SuitlandRoad
Suitland, MD 20746
Phone: 301.817.4515 Toll free: 888.212.7283
Fax: 301.817.4565
You have received this notice from FAASafety.gov because you have
selected "General Information" in your preferences on your
FAASafety.gov account. Click here to log in and edit your preferences
on FAASafety.gov.