BB wrote:
It explains the rationale for the rule quite clearly. Briefly, the
requirement is there to protect contest organizers, and at their
request, rather than to force unwanted protection on pilots. Imagine
running a contest, someone goes missing, and day after day passes.
That's also why the rules require a mounted, impact-activated device.

The rationale consists of one recent tragic fatal accident at contest,
and another accident at a contest 14 years ago, where the pilot managed
to walk out. The non-ELT equipped US contest pilots (which are likely
still the majority) are either going to be spending an average $400 to
$500 (most of us will have to pay a repair shop for installation) each
this winter, or will simply choose to not to fly in any more sanctioned
contests. Those who do buy ELTs will mostly be buying units that will
be essentially obsolete in 3 or 4 years, as the 406 MHz units are still
too expensive for a lot of us.

It will be interesting to see how many people show up for regional
contests next year. I sympathize with the rationale, but an ELT ends up
being just being another in a set of barriers to participation. In my
own case, there's a chance I'll never get around to doing anything about
it this winter, which will tilt the balance towards not bothering to go
to any contests (and I've flown in 7 regionals in the past 5 years, IIRC).