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Can I use a 121.5 ELT in my Sonex two place project?

Dkb

Nope. You are not grandfathered in. A hangar neighbor gave me his old ELT but I didn't get my airworthiness until after the rule change.

Bryan Cotton wrote:Nope. You are not grandfathered in. A hangar neighbor gave me his old ELT but I didn't get my airworthiness until after the rule change.

Bryan,

I know that the manufacture, sale, and certification of the older units has been stopped as of February 2019 but I cannot find any reference to prove that if you have an older unit that it cannot be used. I'm not trying be argumentative as I truly would like a clear reference on this. If you (or anyone else) can point to a link or reference I would appreciate seeing it. I did find this:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documen ... rvice#p-34

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopts a rule that prohibits the certification, and after a six-month transition period, the manufacture, importation, or sale of 121.5 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), but declines to prohibit the use of 121.5 MHz ELTs.

but I don't see where it prohibits the use of the older ELT if it was already purchased. Now getting it past the DAR might be another story all together and for the purpose of an ELT the newer ones are worth the money. The increased cost of a new ELT over an older one is small money in the total cost of an aircraft build ...

Dale
3.0 Corvair/Tailwheel

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, no person may operate a U.S.-registered civil airplane unless—

(1) There is attached to the airplane an approved automatic type emergency locator transmitter that is in operable condition for the following operations, except that after June 21, 1995, an emergency locator transmitter that meets the requirements of TSO-C91 may not be used for new installations:

(i) Those operations governed by the supplemental air carrier and commercial operator rules of parts 121 and 125;

(ii) Charter flights governed by the domestic and flag air carrier rules of part 121 of this chapter; and

(iii) Operations governed by part 135 of this chapter; or

(2) For operations other than those specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, there must be attached to the airplane an approved personal type or an approved automatic type emergency locator transmitter that is in operable condition, except that after June 21, 1995, an emergency locator transmitter that meets the requirements of TSO-C91 may not be used for new installations.

GordonTurner wrote:(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, no person may operate a U.S.-registered civil airplane unless—

(1) There is attached to the airplane an approved automatic type emergency locator transmitter that is in operable condition for the following operations, except that after June 21, 1995, an emergency locator transmitter that meets the requirements of TSO-C91 may not be used for new installations:

(i) Those operations governed by the supplemental air carrier and commercial operator rules of parts 121 and 125;

(ii) Charter flights governed by the domestic and flag air carrier rules of part 121 of this chapter; and

(iii) Operations governed by part 135 of this chapter; or

(2) For operations other than those specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, there must be attached to the airplane an approved personal type or an approved automatic type emergency locator transmitter that is in operable condition, except that after June 21, 1995, an emergency locator transmitter that meets the requirements of TSO-C91 may not be used for new installations.

You're citing the difference between an older ELT without the remote and those with one. I trust that his unit was manufactured after 1995.

As I understand it from my assistant: "For new installations in homebuilt aircraft, a 121.5 MHz ELT with a remote control (TSO C91a) can be installed. However, earlier 121.5 MHz ELTs (TSO C91) are not allowed for new installations."

Dale
3.0 Corvair/Tailwheel

But quotes are kind of pointless unless you put the reference origin in them. Paragraphs (e) and (f) should also be included if quoting. Sometimes they mean all the difference in the world to us experi(mentals).