Minnesota Wing Aircrew Training: Task O-2101

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Minnesota Wing Aircrew Training Task O-2101

• ELT Equipment and detection Procedures

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Objectives

• Discuss the various types of ELTs P 10.1.1
• Describe how an ELT can be detected P 10.2
• Describe how the aircraft DF works in both the
  Alarm and DF modes P 10.3.1
• Discuss using the DF during a typical ELT search
  P 10.3.2
• Response during initial phase, including signal
  fade
• Response when getting close
• Response as you pass over the beacon

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Objectives

• Describe the following ELT search methods
  P 10.4 10.7
• Homing
• Wing null
• Aural
• Signal
• Discuss signal reflection and interference P
  10.9
• Describe how to silence an ELT and the legal
  issues involved. P 10.10

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Vocabulary

• Glossary of terms
• Direction Finder, DF.
• Emergency Locator Transmitter, ELT.
• Marine Emergency Position Indicating Radio
  Beacon, EPIRB.
• Personal Locator Beacon, PLB.
• Search And Rescue Satellite, SARSAT.

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Beacons

• 100 milliwatts of power
• Roughly equal to that of a regular flashlight
• Normally set off by the impact of an airplane
  crash can be set off by a hard landing--check
  121.5 before engine shutdown
• Remember that the ELT may be attached to an
  aircraft or vessel in distress!
• Line of sight Reception.
• Subject to deflection and dispersion.

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The ELT

• Activated by g-force (when armed)
• Some can be activated by the pilot in the cockpit
• Three frequencies
• 121.5 MHz (VHF emergency)
• 243 MHz (UHF emergency military guard)
• 406.025 MHz (third generation ELT/EPIRB)
• General types
• General aviation aircraft
• Military (beepers or beacons)
• Marine EPIRB
• Test station (training practice beacon)
• Advanced (406)

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ELT Antenna
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Most aircraft have ELTs installed
But they dont always survive a crash
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Most aircraft have ELTs installed
But they dont always survive a crash
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Military beacons

• Most common type is the URT-33/C
• Personnel ejecting/parachuting will have a 243
  MHz beacon
• Some downed pilots may be able to communicate via
  two-way radio on 243 MHz using a PRC-90 or later
  military survival radio
• Beacon mode transmits like an ELT on 243 MHz

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Personal beacons

• Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Personal
  Emergency Transmitter (PET)
• Intended for hikers and other remote wilderness
  travelers
• PLBs operate in the 406.0-406.1 MHz band

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Marine EPIRB

• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
• Similar to an ELT, an EPIRB is used on ships and
  boats
• Mandatory on certain commercial vessels
• Some activate automatically and others are
  manually activated

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Advanced ELTs

• Most advanced are TSO C126
• 406.025 MHz beacons have data burst encoding that
  identifies each (registered) individual beacon to
  the GOES SAR satellite system
• Many have digital position reporting (GPS)
• Still very expensive
• Advantages of 406
• Less chance of inadvertent activation.
• Transmits identification.
• Some transmits GPS position.
• Higher power.
• Cockpit indicator.
• Will include weak 121.5 transmitter.
• Self Test

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Practice Beacon

• Training Practice Beacons
• Includes ones used by CAP
• All should be converted from 121.6 to 121.775 MHz
  by now (if it isnt, dont use it)
• During practice searches, avoid calling the
  practice beacon an ELT when communicating over
  the radio
• May cause confusion
• Always use the term Practice Beacon

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Testing an Aircraft ELT

• Can test the aircrafts ELT within the first five
  minutes after each hour
• Only allowed up to three sweeps
• When was the last time you tested the ELT in your
  aircraft?
• Do you regularly monitor 121.5 MHz after you
  land?
• Ensure your ELT didnt activate
• This isnt considered a test, by the way, but you
  can try this excuse if you like

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Inadvertent Activation

• Excessively hard landings (Welcome aboard,
  Ensign!)
• Inadvertent change of switch position
• During removal/installation
• Malfunction
• Non-ELT source on 121.5 MHz (computers, broadcast
  stations, even pizza ovens!)
• Monsieur Murphy

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False Alarms

• Approximately 97 of received ELT signals are
  false alarms
• For 121.5 MHz ELTs abut 1 in 1000 are actual
  emergencies
• For 406 MHz ELTs abut 1 in 8 are actual
  emergencies
• Whats the big deal?
• SARSAT can only monitor 10 ELTs at once
• Easy to overload the system
• They block emergency communications on 121.5 and
  243 MHz (guarded by towers, ARTCC, and the
  military)
• BOTTOM LINE ELT Signals are calls For help, and
  FALSE ALARMS BLOCK REAL EMERGENCIES!

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• QUESTIONS?

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Detection Timeline
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Accuracy of SARSAT/COSPAS

• For a regular 121.5 MHz beacon
• Said to be a 12 nautical mile radius (452 square
  nm)
• Actually an oval shape with a 50 probability of
  being 15 nm wide and 7 nm high
• System is more accurate North to South (latitude)
• Average six-hour notification
• For a 406 MHz beacon its a 2 nm radius (12.4
  square nm) with an average one-hour notification
• For a 406 MHz beacon with GPS its a 0.05 nm
  radius (0.008 square nm) with an average
  five-minute notification

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OK, So How Should I Treat an ELT Mission?

• AS AN EMERGENCY!
• Its not possible to know whether an ELT signal is
  a distress signal or a false alarm
• Although the statistics are against it, you must
  act as though it is a distress call
• If you take advantage of them, every ELT mission
  allow you to keep your skills sharp!

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Locating the ELT Signal

• Route or parallel track to pick up the signal
• If no SARSAT hits or definitive LKP
• 4,000 to 10,000 AGL
• Large track spacing (start at 60 nm, then do
  halves)
• Once signal is located, DF the signal

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Direction Finder (DF)

• A direction finder compares signal strengths from
  two antenna patterns to let the user know
• When you are centered on a signal
• headed directly towards OR away from from the
  signal source
• Which direction to turn when not centered
• Similar to an ADF needle, but only points left or
  right, hence the term left-right homing

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L-Tronics DF
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DF Antenna

• Most operate on VHF 121.5.
• Some have additional UHF 243.0 Capability.
• Two antennas, some UHF have three. All the
  aircraft in Minnesota wing are mounted on the
  bottom, but some wings may have aircraft with DF
  antennas on the top

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Search Methods

• DF Homing Method
• Wing Shadow Method
• Aural Search Method
• Night and IFR Electronic Search

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DF Homing Method

• Understand the DF Controls.
• Know the Search Procedures.
• Practice, Practice, Practice.

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Step 1 Acquire the Signal

• To hear the signal you can use your L-Tronics Air
  DF or one of your comm radios.
• To acquire with a comm radio, turn the squelch
  OFF (pull out the volume knob out or flip the
  appropriate switch)
• The static you hear may be annoying, but it will
  allow you to hear the signal at the earliest
  possible time
• Allows for a weak or distant signal to be heard

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Done using Track Line or Parallel Track pattern

• Proceed to the SARSAT composite hit, or to the
  point designated by your incident commander.
• Initial altitude is normally 3,000 to 10,000 AGL
• Use a search pattern (Track Line (route) search
  or Parallel Track) assigned by the Mission
  Coordinator

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Beginning The Search Altitude Selection

• Higher altitudes allow for reception of the ELT
  signal at greater distances.
• ELTs transmit on 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz, both of
  which limit reception to line of sight.
• Terrain will block ELT signals.
• HIGHER is therefore usually BETTER to acquire a
  signal.
• Medium altitude is generally better for searching
  (after signal heard)
• 3,000 to 5,000 AGL

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Beginning The Search Altitude Selection
Signal blocked by the curvature of the earth
Area of Reception
Area of Reception
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Altitude Selection
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New Search
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Wing Shadow Method
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Wing Shadowing

• By flying the airplane in a circle, at some point
  the wing will block the ELT signal to the
  receiver antenna
• This causes an audible decrease in volume, called
  a null
• Almost any VHF-AM aircraft communications radio
  may be used with this method.

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Wing Shadowing Antennas

• To properly use the Wing Shadowing method, you
  MUST know where the antenna for the radio you are
  using is installed located on the aircraft
• Communications radio antennas are usually, but
  not always, located above the wings
• Can be above the fuselage, in the tail, etc.
• L-Tronics Aircraft DF antennas may be above or
  below the aircraft
• Below the aircraft is the preferred installation

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Communications Antennas Above the Wing
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DF Antennas Below the Wing
Antennas Belowthe Wing
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How To DF by Wing Shadowing

• Fly a constant bank angle 360 turn.
• the audio will null,
• or get significantly quieter,
• when your wing blocks the antennas reception of
  the ELT signal.

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Wing Shadowing Signal BlockingFor Antennas
Below the Wings
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Wing ShadowingAntennas Below the Wing

• Turn in a circle until you hear the null
  (significant decrease in volume)
• The ELT is 90º to your RIGHT ADD 90º to your
  heading

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Antenna Location

• Antenna on bottom, left turn, subtract 90
  degrees.
• 220 - 90 130

• Antenna on the top, left turn, add 90 degrees.
• 040 90 130

• Antenna on bottom, right turn add 90 degrees.
• 355 90 085

• Antenna on top, right turn subtract 90 degrees.
• 175 - 90 085

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Aural (Hearing) Search Method

• Only Requires a Receiver.
• This is based on the assumption that the area of
  equal beacon signal strength is circular
• do NOT adjust volume during this search you will
  need it to determine equal levels of signal.

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Aural (Hearing) Search Method (cont)

• Begin by plotting your position as soon as you
  receive the ELT signal.
• Fly that course for a short distance, then turn
  90º left or right and proceed until the signal
  fades.
• Turn around (180º) and mark where the signal
  fades on the other side of the circle.
• Plot chord lines similar to that of the diagram.
• Bisect the chord lines at a perpendicular.
• Plot a course to the location where the
  perpendicular lines intersect this should be the
  location of the target!

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Aural Metered Search

• Must Have a Signal Strength Meter.
• Assumes the Beacon Transmission Pattern is
  Circular.

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Aural Metered Search

• This search requires a signal strength meter
  (like that on the L-Tronics DF units-if the DF
  portion of the unit is inoperative you can still
  use this type of search as long as RECeive is OK.
• Note your signal strength when beginning the
  search.
• Fly a straight line until the signal gets lower,
  then increases to your original level.
• Turn 180º and return to the lowest level of
  signal, then turn 90º left or right.
• You should now be headed directly towards or away
  from the transmitter.
• If the signal increases in strength, you are
  headed directly for the ELT.
• If the signal decreases in strength, turn 180º

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Left-Right DF Homing

• Most CAP corporate aircraft have L-Tronics
  LA-Series Left-Right Homing DF units.
• These units operate virtually the same, but there
  are two major varieties
• Single Meter Models
• Dual Meter Models

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L-Tronics DF Types

• Single Meter Model
• Dual Meter Model

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Frequency Switch

• Selects frequency to be used.
• Use 121.5 MHz for actual ELTs/EPIRBs.
• 243.0 MHz may also be used for all actual
  electronic searches.
• Use 121.775 MHz for training (or 121.6 for
  non-CAP practices).
• Refer to owners manual for use of the AUX
  position.

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Alarm Toggle

• Normal Alarm toggle in up position
• DF toggle is down
• DF is short for Direction Find
• DF gives left-right homing to the ELT/EPIRB
  signal
• ALARM is for NON-MISSION flights only
• Use only during normal flying to alert the
  presence of an ELT or EPIRB

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Volume Sensitivity

• Volume controls the audio level to the speaker or
  headsets
• Sensitivity controls the amount of signal that
  enters into the DF unit
• It is critical that the proper amount of signal
  enters the DF half-scale, or the middle, is an
  optimum starting place
• As the signal gets stronger, reduce SENSITIVITY,
  not volume
• The DF will be unreliable as too much signal is
  received, so you must cut out part of it by
  reducing the sensitivity
• More than three-quarters scale is too much

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PREFLIGHT FUNCTIONAL CHECK

• Just as you preflight the rest of the aircraft,
  you should preflight your DF when going on an ELT
  electronic search mission
• These procedures are covered in the Mission
  Aircrew Reference Text.

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DF SETTINGS FORDUAL METER MODELS

• MISSIONS
• Select 121.5 (or 121.775 for training missions)
• Ensure Alarm Toggle Off
• Turn Sensitivity to Maximum (Full Clockwise)
• Turn Volume to About Mid-Scale
• DF Should Stay About Centered
• Strength Meter Will Move Up-Scale to Right
• NON-MISSION FLIGHTS
• Select 121.5
• Turn Alarm Toggle On
• Turn Sensitivity To Maximum

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SIX STEPS

• Use these 6 steps for locating ELTs and EPIRBs
  with L-Tronics LA- series airborne DF equipment
• Use the full procedure every time for the best
  results
• RECeive
• HALF
• DF
• TURN
• CHECK
• SHOOT
• Each of these steps will be described in detail
  in the slides to follow

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Step 1 RECeive

• Once you have started to receive the ELT or EPIRB
  signal on the proper frequency.
• If you have a single-meter unit, turn the mode
  selector to RECeive and turn the volume to a
  comfortable level.
• If you have a dual meter unit, refer to the
  STRENGTH window (no need to change modes).

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RECeive Mode/STRENGTH Window

• In receive mode or in the strength window, the
  unit measures signal strength
• Left needle is low, right is high
• Values are relative depending on the sensitivity
  you have selected.
• You may still be able to use the strength meter
  even if the DF is not functioning perfectly
• It is possible to locate an ELT using only the
  Receive Mode
• Utilize Aural Search/Metered Search methods to
  accomplish
• If the unit isnt completely operable, try wing
  shadowing using one of the aircrafts
  communications radios and use the DF units
  strength meter as a backup using the
  aural/metered methods

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Step 2 HALF

• Now that the unit is in RECeive mode and you have
  a good signal, turn the Sensitivity Knob to HALF
  SCALE
• This is in the center of the window
• If you are flying with a dual-meter unit, turn
  the Sensitivity Knob so the needle reads HALF
  SCALE in the STRENGTH window
• A half-scale strength reading will prevent too
  much signal (oversense) from entering the unit
  and will provide you with a good starting point
• It is also the optimum for the DF homing antennas

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Step 3 DF

• For signal meter units, turn the mode selector
  know to DF.
• In DF mode, you can think of the needle as always
  pointing Direct to the Flipping target.
• For dual meter models, simply refer to the DF
  window (no need to change modes).

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DF Antenna

• The aircraft DF unit has a 2 or 3 element
  antenna
• Commonly, we might call this two or three
  antennas
• It just means there are two or three rods!
• This antenna setup is directional
• One element actually receives the signal
• The other elements (rods) reflect the signal away
  from the first rod

Antenna Elements
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Antenna Reception Pattern

• When viewed from the bottom, an antenna setup
  like the one pictured on the previous slide
  produces a reception pattern like the one shown
  here
• This pattern is called carotid, which means
  heart-shaped
• The pattern is the same even if the antennas are
  mounted above the wing

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Direction Finding Mode/Window

• The DF mode rapidly alternates the receiving and
  reflecting antenna elements
• It chooses one element as the receiver and the
  other two as the reflectors, then switches to the
  other set
• This produces a carotid pattern each time the
  unit switches
• one is shown in red, the other in yellow
• By comparing the two patterns, the unit will
  determine when they are equal
• When theyre equal, the needle centers!
• When the needle is centered, the target is
  either directly ahead or behind you!

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Step 4 TURN

• Turn at least one FULL circle, noting where the
  DF needle centers.
• Under ideal conditions, the needle will center
  twice
• When facing directly at the source of the signal
• When facing 180º away from the target
• You will solve this problem (called ambiguity) in
  the next step.

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DF CENTERS
ELT (Possibility 1)
Alternating Antenna Patterns
WHEN THE PATTERNS ARE EQUAL, THE DF NEEDLE
CENTERS!
Alternating Antenna Patterns
ELT (Possibility 2)
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Step 5 CHECK

• Use Turn to Tell
• Remembering that in DF mode the needle always
  points Direct to the Flipping target
• When you have the needle centered, turn left or
  right
• If you turn left and the needle goes left, the
  ELT is 180º from your present heading
• If you turn left and the needle turns right, the
  ELT is dead ahead

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AMBIGUITY
ELT (Possibility 1)

• When Needle Centers
• ELT is Directly Ahead or Behind
• This situation is called ambiguity
• To Solve ambiguity
• Use Turn to Tell
• Make a turn left or right
• The needle always points Direct to the Flipping
  Target (DF!)

ELT (Possibility 2)
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DF NEEDLE
ELT

• Compare the YELLOW (LEFT) and the RED (RIGHT)
  antenna patterns
• In this case, the LEFT pattern is stronger than
  the RIGHT
• In DF mode, the needle would thenpoint LEFT
• The needle always points Direct to the Flipping
  Target!

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SOLVING AMBIGUITY
ELT (Possibility 1)

• Actual ELT positionis unknown to user
• Make a small turn left or right
• As a teachingreminder, Use aTURN to TELL

ELT (Possibility 2)
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SOLVING AMBIGUITY
ELT (Possibility 1)

• Actual ELT positionis unknown to user
• Make a small turn left or right
• As a teachingreminder, Use aTURN to TELL
• Example
• TURN LEFT
• needle goes left

ELT (Possibility 2)
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SOLVING AMBIGUITY

• Actual ELT positionis unknown to user
• Make a small turn left or right
• As a teachingreminder, Use aTURN to TELL
• Example
• TURN LEFT
• If needle goes left
• ELT is to your left (behind you)

ELT (Possibility 2)
ELT (Possibility 2)
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SOLVING AMBIGUITY
ELT (Possibility 1)

• If you turn Left and theneedle moves Right
• The ELT is inFront of you!

ELT (Possibility 2)
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SOLVING AMBIGUITY
ELT (Possibility 1)

• If you turn Left and theneedle moves Right
• The ELT is inFront of you!
• Example
• Turn left
• Needle goes right

ELT (Possibility 2)
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SOLVING AMBIGUITY
ELT (Possibility 1)

• Solution
• If you turn Left and the needle moves Right
• The ELT is inFront of you!

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Step 6 SHOOT

• Use your DG to determine a bearing to the target
  follow it
• You may need to fly through a zone of signal
  dropout
• Be watchful for signs of signal passage
• If you get signal passage, consider using the
  pinpointing the target techniques listed in
  this presentation
• Frequently repeat the full six steps to ensure
  you are heading in the right direction and that
  you didnt inadvertently overfly the ELT

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How A DF Unit Works Summary

• Two Main Modes of Operation
• RECeive
• DF
• RECeive Mode is a Strength Meter
• Left is low, right is high
• DF Mode Centers on Signal
• Always points to the signal
• Use a Turn to Tell when solving ambiguity
• Aircraft and ground units work the same way

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Reflections

• Reflections of an ELT signal work just like a
  flashlight off of a mirror
• Any flat, hard, or wet object can cause signal
  reflections
• Mountains, especially cliff faces
• Hangars and other metal structures
• Wet grass or snow
• Large bodies of water or ice
• Powerlines can also have a large effect on a
  low-powered signal such as an ELT

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Beating Reflections

• Check your sensitivity at half-scale or lower
• But ensure that its high enough to receive
  adequate signal
• Reflections will generally be weaker than the
  most direct path to the target
• Following reflections will generally take your
  closer to the target
• If sensitivity is set to minimum, try DFing on a
  different frequency
• For example, if you are trying to locate an
  actual ELT on 121.5 MHz, try locating it on 121.6
  or 121.775 MHz when you get close
• When all else fails, fly somewhere else to get a
  good DF bearing-or try that at the first sign of
  problems!

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Carrier-Only Signals

• You dont always need to hear the ELT or EPIRB to
  find it
• A carrier-only signal may be broadcasting with no
  audible sweep
• This is especially true with low or old
  batteries, damaged ELTs, or spurious
  transmissions
• You can identify a carrier-only signal by
  DEFLECTION
• Good needle deflection generally indicates a
  signal that is strong enough to DF
• Compare your deflection to another frequency
• If you are using 121.5 MHz, try it on 121.775 MHz
• If deflection is the same in both frequencies,
  you DONT have a signal, just random noise
• If deflection is different, keep at it! You have
  the signal.

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Vertical Reflections Signal Dropout

• The transmission pattern (similar to the
  reception pattern of the DF antennas, only for
  transmission) of an ELT is not a perfect circle
  or sphere
• It has lobes, or, stronger and weaker points
• This is accentuated when the ELT is transmitting
  from a location above the surrounding ground
• When you get a good DF heading and the signal
  fades or drops out completely you may just be
  outside of one of the signal lobes
• When you reacquire the signal, it should be
  stronger than when you lost it

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Signal Dropout

• If you encounter a signal dropout, continue to
  fly on your last good DF heading
• You should reacquire the signal in a few minutes
• Actual time will depend upon your distance to the
  target
• If you are unable to reacquire, return to where
  you last heard the signal and re-DF

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Signal Strength

• The rate of change in signal strength increases
  as you get closer to the transmitter, and RECeive
  mode or the STRENGTH window measures signal
  strength
• This is due to Maxwells inverse square law.
• When you double the distance from an object, the
  energy it you receive from it is 1/4 of what you
  originally received, or the inverse square
  1/(22) 1/4
• After Scottish Physicist James Clerk Maxwell,
  1831-1879
• You will therefore need to turn down the
  sensitivity to keep the unit at half scale in the
  RECeive mode or STRENGTH window much more often
  as you get close to the source of the signal
• This should let you know that youre getting close

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Signal Strength Rate of Change
SENSITIVITY KNOB DEACREASES EXPONENTIALLY
ASDISTANCE DECREASES
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Cone of Confusion

• Antennas receive best when the pole is
  perpendicular to the signal
• When you approach the directly overhead position
  on an ELT, your DF will become unreliable
• It may swing left and right
• It may center regardless of your heading
• You should practice to see what this station
  passage reading looks like
• It is similar to crossing a VOR

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Reception in the Cone of Silence

• You may also get a significant drop in ELT signal
  since the antennas dont receive well directly
  off of their tips
• Although called a cone of silence, you will
  probably only see hear a large decrease in
  signal instead of complete silence

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Pinpointing the ELT

• If you get a station passage indication, make an
  approximate 180 degree turn and DF back to the
  target
• Repeat this process using different approach
  angleseach time, remembering that your path may
  be curved due to wind (like uncorrected NDB
  holding)
• The point where station passage is received
  several timesshould be the location of the
  target

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Pinpointing the ELT

• After you think you have the target located
• make a low pass over the suspected location and
  visually scan
• if signal strength decreases significantly or
  drops out, climb back and try again
• this is not the target sometimes false targets
  will appear due to reflections or other
  interference
• If you hear the ELT at low altitude, you probably
  have the right place
• a low pass down a runway might be a good idea if
  you suspect a particular airport

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Night and IFR Electronic Search

• Observe Altitudes Closely.
• Ensure Clearance from Towers.
• Electronic Search Only (No Visual).
• Maintain Contact With FAA Facility (If Possible).

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Coordination with ATC

• Monitor and Advise Traffic if Searching Near an
  Uncontrolled Airport.
• Advise Approach Control and/or Tower Near a
  Controlled Airport.
• Advise ATC if You Hear an ELT.
• Advise ATC if You No Longer Hear the ELT.

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• QUESTIONS?

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After Locating The ELT

• After location, coordinate with ground teams to
  bring them on-scene.
• Use radio communication and relay GPS
  coordinates.
• Pick up the ground team at a predetermined
  location and lead them to the target.
• Alternately, coordinate a pick up point on the
  radio.
• Practice your air to ground coordination skills
  often
• try it both with and without radio communication
• Air-to-Ground is CAPs best unique ES skill!

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DF upon Landing

• Many times the ELT is located at an airfield
  where it is easier for you to land and locate the
  ELT than it is to get a ground team to the scene
• You can use a hand-held radio or hand-held DF
  unit
• The most commonly used in CAP is the Little L-Per
• You did remember to put one of these (with
  charged batteries) in the aircraft before you
  left, didnt you?

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Little L-Per

• Six Steps
• Receive
• Half
• DF
• Center
• Turn
• Shoot

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OK, which of these planes is it in?

• You land at an airport with multiple hangers and
  each hanger is full of aircraft
• This can make it difficult to find the ELT
• Two methods can help
• Signal-offset
• Using a hand-held radio without its antenna

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OK, which of these planes is it in?

• Signal-offset reflected signals are generally
  weaker so by tuning your radio further away from
  the primary frequency you can isolate the signal
• Assume ELT transmitting on 121.5 set to 121.55
• As you home in set in 121.6 (you may even work up
  to 121.7)
• As you get further away from 121.5 the area where
  the signal will break through the squelch becomes
  smaller and smaller (you can even turn up the
  squelch to get further isolation)

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OK, which of these planes is it in?

• Using a hand-held radio without its antenna
• Once youve narrowed the suspects down to one or
  two aircraft (usually side-by-side), remove the
  radios antenna and hold it next to one of the
  ELT antennas
• Turn the volume down until you just hear the
  signal
• Move to the other aircrafts ELT antenna
• If the signal is stronger you probably have it
  if weaker, its probably the other aircraft
• Can also combine this with the signal-offset
  method
• Dont key the radios transmitter with the
  antenna removed!

112
OK, where is the thing?

• ELTs are usually located in or near the rear of
  the aircraft. Also look for remote switches.
• Single-engine Cessna right side of the upper
  baggage area immediately aft of the baggage door
• Multi-engine Cessna left side of the fuselage
  just forward of the horizontal stabilizer.
  Accessed through a small push-plate on the side
  of the fuselage.
• Single- and multi-engine Piper in the aft
  fuselage. Accessed through a small access panel
  on the aft bulkhead of the baggage compartment.
• Single- and multi-engine Bonanza in the aft
  fuselage. Accessed through a small access plate
  on the right side of the fuselage.
• Large piston twins (e.g., King Air) and small
  jets if installed its probably in the rear
  section. No visible antenna. May have a small
  round push-plate that lets you manipulate the ELT
  switch.

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Silencing the ELT

• The preferred method is to have the owner (or
  someone designated by the owner) turn it off and
  disconnect the battery
• Second best is to just turn it off
• The owner may take the switch to Off and then
  back to Armed
• If this is done, stick around and monitor 121.5
  to ensure it doesnt go off again
• If you cant find the owner, you may have to
  build a foil tent (refer to CAPP-2)

114
Silencing the ELT

• Foil Tent
• 1 x 5
• Encloses antenna
• Flaps at least 18 beyond antenna on fuselage
• Securely taped (masking tape preferred)

115
Silencing the ELT

• Ensure that the owner is notified that the ELT
  was disabled
• If you cant get a phone number, you can place a
  note on the aircraft (not the window)

116
Legal Issues

• Per CAPR 60-1 Chapter 1, CAP members will not
  enter private property and should not do anything
  that could cause harm or damage to the distress
  beacon or aircraft/boat
• Entry to the ELT should be made by the owner or
  operator or law enforcement
• A transmitting ELT is under the legal authority
  of the FCC, and federal law requires that it be
  deactivated ASAP (a crashed aircraft is under the
  authority of the NTSB)

117
Legal Issues

• CAP members do not have the authority to trespass
  onto private property, either to gain access to
  the aircraft or to enter the aircraft to gain
  access to the ELT
• Besides the owner/operator, some owners give FBO
  personnel permission to enter their aircraft

118
Legal Issues

• While entry upon private property may be
  justified if such an act is for the purpose of
  saving life, every effort should be made to
  obtain the controlling agency's and/or the
  property owner's consent
• If you need entry onto private property in order
  to search for an ELT, law enforcement authorities
  such as local police, the county sheriff's office
  or game wardens may be contacted for assistance.

119
Legal Issues

• Normally, local law enforcement officials are
  happy to assist you if they are not familiar
  with CAP and your responsibilities, a simple
  explanation often suffices
• If this doesn't work, try calling AFRCC and have
  them explain the situation

120
Legal Issues

• The most important aspect is the manner in which
  you approach the matter
• The local civil authorities are in charge, but if
  the AFRCC tasks you to search, you go search and
  offer assistance to the civil authorities when
  the opportunity presents itself
• If they tell you go home, then phone the IC
  and/or AFRCC and close the mission

121
Where to get more information

• CAP Emergency Services Training and Operational
  Missions, CAPR 60-3.
• Operational and Maintenance Practices for
  Emergency Locator Transmitters and Receivers,
  AC91-44A.
• ELT/EPIRB Search, CAPP2.

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QUESTIONS?Good Hunting!