some years ago I contacted my local FSDO and asked about ELT installation in
my glider..this was long before some SSA sites required them ...knowing the
glider did not "require" an ELT to be legal, the question to the Fed's was
"can I install an ELT if it doesn't meet the manufacturers specifications
(meaning antenna installation). I installed this and several others since
not because the FAA or SSA required it.but because I considered it to be an
inexpensive safety feature that I wanted for myself, and for my loved ones
should there ever be a chance it might be needed. Essentially, the response
was very favorable with them saying "anything you do to promote safety we'll
go along with".Now that response was from MY FSDO (local office). I
installed the ELT in the most professional manner as to location, mounting,
and meeting all other manufacturers requirements, expect, installing a
handheld radios rubber duck antenna on a metal plate for ground plane.....I
completed a 337 and new wt/balance and had the local A&I sign off on the
installation..I also tested the ELT at some range and found the signal to be
actually quite excellent.....Now I never tested it beyond a few miles, and
I'm quite sure a higher performance 1/4 wave fixed mast antenna mounted
external with proper ground plane may have been better.....but this
installation, IMHO did what I wanted and expected.....it would give the S&R
people something to locate the aircraft with....
I also had concerns about externally mounted ELT antenna's being knocked off
in a crash and contacted 3 different ELT manufacturers and found that even
one manufacturer claimed they had certified their brand ELT with NO antenna
installed at all and with the ELT simply sitting on an aircraft wing when it
was tested to be certified. obviously this would not be the highest
performance set-up and not what should be.
I have noted that S-H and DG have made ELT antenna installations in some
gliders that are comprised of nothing more than this same rubber duck
antenna mounted on an angled bracket in the cockpit with essentially no
ground plane........though I do not consider this to be a high performance
set-up, it appears they also think it is suitable......Personally I wish all
glider manufacturers would spend a bit more time and consideration to
building really good antenna's into their structures for Comm, ELT and
Transponders, so far none have.....until then, we have to improvise.and do
the best with what we have.....that is why I have made some "non-certified"
antenna options available, and though I have tried to make it known these
are not certified for use where the FAA mandates ELT use, they will IMHO
work, and simple and inexpensive "options"......if someone (anyone) has a
better option, I would like to see them....and would of course consider
offering them as well...
Best regards
Tim

Wings & Wheels
www.wingsandwheels.com

"jphoenix" wrote in message
oups.com...
Marc,

Perhaps we could have the SSA government liaison (or SRA dude) ask all
these questions directly to the FAA. Specifically:

Can a private pilot glider install his own ELT in his own experimental
glider and sign it off?
Does a TC'd glider need a 337 form completed and approved (major
alteration)?
Does a glider with an ELT installed have to meet all (or some) of the
requirements of 91.207?

With an official FAA answer to these questions, and perhaps some more I
didn't think of, we can avoid uncertainty over what rules apply and how
they apply, etc.

Jim





I think it is fairly clear that for a glider with an experimental
certificate, you can pretty much install an ELT any way you want, and
likely get away with signing it off yourself (as a non-A&P). I think it
is also fairly clear that an ELT installation in a type certified glider
will require at least an A&P (and possibly IA) sign off, but probably
does not require a 337. The question in my mind, however, is whether
the typical A&P (or IA) would be willing to sign off an ELT installation
in a certified glider, that makes use of uncertified components (like a
rubber ducky). Any A&Ps out there willing to comment?

Marc