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Requirement to Carry ELT or PLB.


BirdDog

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So here's a question....

 

How many of you know the requirements of having have an ELT or or PLB when flying an RAA registered bird, and how far away that kicks in?

 

I learnt something new today.

 

 

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25 minutes ago, BirdDog said:

So here's a question....

 

How many of you know the requirements of having have an ELT or or PLB when flying an RAA registered bird, and how far away that kicks in?

 

I learnt something new today.

 

 

Further than 50N/mls and cross country endorsement.

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1 hour ago, BirdDog said:

So here's a question....

 

How many of you know the requirements of having have an ELT or or PLB when flying an RAA registered bird, and how far away that kicks in?

 

I learnt something new today.

 

 

Well don't keep it to yourself. What did you learn? That you need one? That you need one beyond X-nm?

 

And here's one not a lot of people know....Your beacon must be registered with the AMSA! 

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I didn't know it was a requirement beyond 50nm from departure point.  I carry one. Always have.  Even on short little blast not far from the AD.  

 

I have mine on the belt of my pants - NOT in the cockpit pocket.  That way if I crawl out of a burning aircraft, the PLB comes with me. 

 

And yes mine is registered too.  🙂

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In an ideal world I would have a single switch activated ELT in the cockpit when it goes pear shaped and one on my person if I manage to get out of the plane.

 

I have seriously considered adapting an existing PLB to use a toggle switch, the process to activate PLB's tends to be too long for in cockpit activation while still flying.

 

And I wouldn't use use any PLB that wasn't GPS equipped, it takes substantially longer to resolve the location without GPS.

 

 

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And discuss ... no plb or elt is legally required regardless of distance if it’s a single seat aircraft under 95.10 or 95.32 or 95.55 ops. 

 

If you are a two seat aircraft then 50nm is the legal limit to fly without a plb/elt.  And that’s disregarding people on board - two seats = requirements for carriage. Single seat = no requirements. 

 

I’m not advocating not using one but you said discuss what you probably learned - requirements apply to only two seat aircraft and that’s regardless of them being flown solo. 

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I don't need one but I carry one and it is registered. For the cost of them they are a worth while extra.

The registration is easy and as i use it for flying and bushwalking AMSA know what they are likely to find. I could phone them up whenever I go bushwalking, but that would mean every week or so changing its use.

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Have always carried a PLB (registered with AMSA) located close to hand. If I have a passenger, the PLB location and activation, is part of my passenger briefing.

 

In my view, should an accident me imminent/likely, a PLB (differentiated from a ELT) must be activate  befor contact with terrain. Pilot & passenger may be incapacitated by the impact but the PLB will hopefully have sent out its signal and may continue to do so.

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