ELTs

[astjp2]

Re: ELTs

Sounds like ads-b being used as an elt....I really don't want to be tracked and I don't want to have to pay for a service like that. JMHO. Tim

[n6346m]

Re: ELTs

Hank,
If I understand you right, your system wouldn't work very well for me. Other than my home field, I rarely land at airports. I usually land on lakes and rivers when on floats, gravel bars beaches and uncharted strips when on wheels and pretty darned near anywhere that is flat when on skis. If anyone needs an ELT it's someone who does this kind of flying.

[astjp2]

Re: ELTs

EBC has no external antenna and if its installed and secured properly, the wires should not be a problem. I would mount the antenna on top of the fuselage towards the tail....oh wait that is the current standard. Sorry for the sarcasm, wife is making my life hell since her knee surgery Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: ELTs

That was actually addressed. When you land at a "interesting" spot your system will alert you. Basically it asks if you are OK. All you have to do is press the button that says, "hey, I intended to do this and am OK". The location can even be added to the list of locations that will be considered "acceptable termination points" such as a private strip. Again, the system looked for low speed movement after arrival, like a taxi up to the camp site. If it is questionable the system started to ask if you are OK. Now if the system sees you go from 100mph to zero in one report cycle, the alarms start going off.
It was actually pretty well thought out and the Alaska bush guys made a number of suggestions for the software.

Hank

Hank,
If I understand you right, your system wouldn't work very well for me. Other than my home field, I rarely land at airports. I usually land on lakes and rivers when on floats, gravel bars beaches and uncharted strips when on wheels and pretty darned near anywhere that is flat when on skis. If anyone needs an ELT it's someone who does this kind of flying.

[PA1195]

Re: ELTs

It all happens too quickly...the unexpectedly premature or abrupt contact with earth or water. Yes my panel has an ACK enabling switch to push that activates the ELT. Maybe it'll register a hit before the flight stops. Maybe the ELT will continue to function later. Maybe I'll even have time to push that switch. Lots of maybes.

The advantage of the Delorme Inreach or SPOT are the tracking and subsequent communication features. Others can follow the flight, or the end thereof, and deal with any unpleasantness as required. Text coms can hopefully relay health and welfare info.

In a recent but unsolved accident in Alaska (http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.av...07X84646&key=1) the pilot called his home based (hundreds of miles away) State Trooper number via satellite phone from on top of the upturned and disabled fuselage in the salt/silty water. By the time his aircraft was located no passengers were found. The recovered GPS may offer belated clues to their route of flight. Had there been active tracking they'd already know that aspect and his last reported location, and possibly an emergency SOS might have been sent during the final moments of flight.

Gary

[astjp2]

Re: ELTs

Doesn't spot require cell service? If so, that leaves much of rural Alaska vacant. Tim

[PA1195]

Re: ELTs

Doesn't spot require cell service? If so, that leaves much of rural Alaska vacant. Tim

It's satellite based so we're covered...same for Delorme Inreach which is a better system I'm told by other users.

Gary

[astjp2]

Re: ELTs

Satellite for reception, how about transmission? Tim

[PA1195]

Re: ELTs

Satellite for reception, how about transmission? Tim

Text, one way on the traditional SPOT; two way on the Delorme. Send pre-programmed messages for both, or in the case of the Delorme, type away on the unit's small imbedded keyboard or link to an external device with a larger interface.

A direct satellite horizon is required of course. The higher the latitude the lower the constellation so the unit needs to see the sats to function.

There's a fee schedule for each depending upon desired features. No frijoles. Contact each manufacturer's voice person for details.

Gary