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01-12-2020, 12:16 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clinton, Indiana
Posts: 996
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ELT requirement / suggestions ?
I have read the threads and AOPA/FAA stuff. Still questions :
1- Is a PLB acceptable or not ?
2- If not, what is best 406 option ? Artex, Kannan,Other ? Why ?
3-Suggestions for RV4/RV8/Rocket ( ie. tandem) install to optimize :
A- Easily accessible.
B- Antenna location.
C- Antenna cable protection in crash.
D- Antenna location if inverted on ground.
Your thoughts much appreciated !
__________________
Larry DeCamp
RV-3B flying w/7:1 0320 / carb / Pmags / Catto 3b / digital steam
RV-4 fastback w/ Superior roller 360/AFP/G3X/CPI/Catto3b
Clinton, IN
Last edited by Larry DeCamp : 01-12-2020 at 01:22 PM.
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01-12-2020, 02:57 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry DeCamp
I have read the threads and AOPA/FAA stuff. Still questions :
1- Is a PLB acceptable or not ?
2- If not, what is best 406 option ? Artex, Kannan,Other ? Why ?
3-Suggestions for RV4/RV8/Rocket ( ie. tandem) install to optimize :
A- Easily accessible.
B- Antenna location.
C- Antenna cable protection in crash.
D- Antenna location if inverted on ground.
Your thoughts much appreciated !
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1. NO. It does satisfy the FAA requirement.
2. Depends. ACK is what I have.
3A. Not that important.
3B. Needs to have good VSWR.
3C. Must work so that aircraft will be found.
3D. In the event of a crash, I am more concerned about survival of the individuals and the wreckage being found.
__________________
Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6 Flying
3,400+ hours
Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012
To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
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01-12-2020, 03:59 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sunman, IN
Posts: 2,189
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So...
So, if you follow the manufacturers instructions, the antenna is to be mounted on the top of the fuselage, at least two feet from anything else.
When the aircraft flips over, the antenna is now sticking in the ground and being shadowed by the fuselage...so I guess if you have a "crash", don't end up inverted?
__________________
Bob
Aerospace Engineer '88
RV-10
Structure - 90% Done
Cabin Top - Aaarrghhh...
EFII System 32 - Done
297 HP Barrett Hung
ShowPlanes Cowl with Skybolts Fitted - Beautiful
Wiring...
Dues+ Paid 2019,...Thanks DR+
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01-13-2020, 05:21 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,285
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What RV-6 Flyer said.
What brand? Look at Aircraft Spruce. See what is out there and or how much. Follow the installation instructions. I have deviated by putting the ELT and antenna both in the baggage compartment. The antenna can transmit through plexi... it is a compromise. Nothing stopping you from having a PLB on your person in addition as well as an ELT. The ELT has "G" switch and is designed to come on when there is an impact. PLB does not.
Some ELT's have GPS interface so you can send your GPS's LAT LONG position through ELT. Other ELT's have GPS built in, and others don't have GPS (so accuracy will be less but much better than older ELT accuracy). Battery replacement cost? Form factor, size, shape....
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/av/elts.html
__________________
George
Raleigh, NC Area
RV-4, RV-7, ATP, CFII, MEI, 737/757/767
2020 Dues Paid
Last edited by gmcjetpilot : 01-13-2020 at 05:27 PM.
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01-13-2020, 07:06 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 821
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I would definitely recommend a 406 ELT that takes a GPS input to provide lat/Lon to the satellite. It gets the rescuers directly to you. Without the GPS input there is a much larger search radius.
I also carry a PLB in case I need to travel from the wreckage. Also a good backup.
__________________
Dan Morris
Frederick, MD
PA28-140
Hph 304CZ
RV6 built and sold
N199EC RV6A flying
Learn the facts. "Democracy dies in darkness"
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01-14-2020, 05:14 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clinton, Indiana
Posts: 996
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More government wisdom 😒
Thanks for responding guys.
My summary is you are required to spend $500 to $2,000 on a device requiring periodic battery replacement, that only works if you hit something hard enough to activate it and you don't flip over. I think the probability of escaping death from impact and or fire is low, and landing anywhere but a road without flipping is also low.
So my conclusion is buy the cheapest unit, live with the false activations and manage your aircraft so the big fan keeps turning 😊
__________________
Larry DeCamp
RV-3B flying w/7:1 0320 / carb / Pmags / Catto 3b / digital steam
RV-4 fastback w/ Superior roller 360/AFP/G3X/CPI/Catto3b
Clinton, IN
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01-14-2020, 05:52 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Years ago, someone on this forum who is a first responder said that in his experience, if the ELT goes off, the mission switches from a Search and Rescue to Search and Recovery.
That just doesn't sound good.
Wherever you mount your ELT, put it somewhere that you can access it and its portable antenna without tools. This is much easier to do when building than retrofitting.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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01-14-2020, 06:05 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 5,686
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Based on everything I've seen and heard, along with some personal experience with faulty ELT's, I switched to Kannad and haven't looked back.
__________________
Walt Aronow, DFW, TX (52F)
EXP Aircraft Services LLC
Specializing in RV Condition Inspections, Maintenance, Avionics Upgrades
Dynamic Prop Balancing, Pitot-Static Altmeter/Transponder Certification
FAA Certified Repair Station, AP/IA/FCC GROL, EAA Technical Counselor
Authorized Garmin G3X Dealer/Installer
RV7A built 2004, 1700+ hrs, New Titan IO-370, Bendix Mags
Website: ExpAircraft.com, Email: walt@expaircraft.com, Cell: 972-746-5154
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01-14-2020, 07:06 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,346
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Although it is not discussed officially, the general consensus at COSPAS-SARSAT is that if the antenna and cable are intact and connected to the ELT after the crash and the ELT activates, they will pick it up.
When NASA did the gantry crash tests with the old 172s recently, the antenna that was in the dirt after the 172 flipped was picked up by the satellites.
So, design your installation to give the coax and antenna the best chance of survival, i.e. leave slack so the connectors don't rip out, and consider how the structure might deform, shear, or breakup. The new installation guidelines also recommend fire-sleeve for the coax, so there is a better chance of getting out a few messages before fire consumes the cable/antenna.
And carry a PLB....
__________________
Mike W
Venice, FL
RV-6A. Mattituck TMX O-360, FP, GRT Sport EFIS, L3 Lynx NGT-9000
N164WM
N184WM reserved (RV-8)....finishing kit in progress. Titan IOX-370
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01-14-2020, 08:28 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 1,005
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I agree. Back in Feb 1, 2009 when Canada first activated the 406 coverage, a buddy & I were busy installing one and accidentally activated it. Wasn't too long before we got a call asking if everything was OK. We were the very first GA aircraft activation so they were keenly interested with their signal location accuracy (before GPS interconnect) as it was about 600ft radius of our location, they expected 60ft radius accuracy for the 406. When I explained we were inside a full metal hangar with doors shut, they felt much better.
The 406 antenna (thick portion at the base) is much more likely to survive even if the 121.5 (long whip portion) is mangled.
__________________
Ralph
built a few RVs, rebuilt a few more, hot rodded some, & maintained/updated a bunch more
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