ELT Mandatory ?

Romeo Delta wrote:

Eric:

The man may be a benevolent yea-hoo,

My point is that he is not a yea-hoo.

but if the yackity-yack airport
authority at my public airport gets wind of this and makes having an
ELT a condition to operate glider citing precedence, then he's back to
plain old yea-hoo status.

Get real, please. Your public airport authority doesn't want to get into
the business of policing aircraft for equipment the Feds don't even
require. If they want to worry about things, there are much larger
concerns, starting with a towing operation.


Yes, $200-300 now. But how about when the FAA gets tired of all the
cheap ELTs going off from hard landings, or changes the rules (never
happens)

This part has already happened and the rules are in place for 2009.

, or a manufacturer goes ot of business, or...

If this happens, your ELT will continue to work. If it needs repairs
(unlikely - these things are supposed withstand crashes), buy one from
another manufacturer.

and were eventually stuck with the $1000+ a pop deal.

Who knows what the price will be 5 years from now? A guess is the
requirement for them will lead to expanded production and lower prices.
In any case, the old ones are currently allowed after that, but won't be
routinely monitored.


And what then is next? TCAS?

No.


Ed cited liability concerns in his first sentence. But all of a
sudden discussing that aspect obscurates the matter. GMAFB!

Your stance on the matter referencing your previous posts seems to
question the necessity of this ELT mandate. But this last post of
your's seems to have you flip-flopping on the matter. What is your
definitive position (or do you just relish the opportunity to change
sides as a chance to argue)?


My position:

- the airport owner is within his rights to require an ELT as a
condition of use
- There is no additional liability to the airport owner or organizers if
gliders are NOT required to have them
- ELTs are effective in gliders
- Requiring them at New Castle contests will not lead to their
requirement at other airports around the country
- it is very unlikely other contests will require them, as the New
Castle situation is unique

I have no opinion on whether ELTs should be required at New Castle,
because I am not familiar with the situation there.
--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA