February 6, 2014 - National Telecommunications
And Information Administration (NTIA) is in
support of an Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) rule that calls for the elimination of the
emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) operating
on 121.5 MHz and replacing it with the 406 MHz
ELT.
ELTs are radio beacons that when activated
manually or automatically it will send out an
alert to search and rescue personnel that an
aircraft has crashed, and to identify the
location of the aircraft and any survivors.
Back in 2010 the FCC had proposed an order to
prohibit certification, manufacture,
importation, sale, or use of 121.5 MHz-only
emergency locator transmitters (ELTs).
The Commission also requested comment as to the
appropriate effective dates for such
prohibitions. However, NTIA had issued stay
request from the FAA until it could review the
matter.
After a review, NTIA’s believes that that public
policy supports the measured elimination of
121.5 MHz-only ELTs and that continued use of
121.5 MHz ELT technology increases the risk and
cost of search and rescue operations (SAR). The
406 MHz ELTs’ advanced technology eliminates
risk attributable to 121.5 MHz-only ELT
technology.
406 MHz ELTs are monitored by Cospas-Sarsat
geostationary and low earth orbiting satellites
with global coverage, which enables prompt
alerts to SAR services.
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