Many customers have been asking if they will be
required
to equip their aircraft
with a new 406 MHz ELT before February 1, 2009. The FAA has not issued
a regulation requiring aircraft to be equipped with
the new 406 MHz ELTs. What will happen on February
1, 2009 is COSPAS-SARSAT will discontinue the
monitoring of the 121.5 MHz
frequency in response to
the International Civil Aviation and International
Maritime Organizations request.
The
121.5 MHz frequency will still be monitored by overflying aircraft and ground
stations such as
local towers and approach control.
The following chart is a comparison of the 121.5 MHz
ELT and the 406 MHz ELT
as provided by the Aircraft
Electronics Association (AEA).
