Pilots Caught in Middle of Conflicting Federal Rules
Posted By RichC on June 24, 2010
Compliance dilemma for pilots and aircraft owners … stay tuned.
On June 15 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released for publication a change to 47 CFR Part 87 that will “prohibit the certification, manufacture, importation, sale, or continued use of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) other than the Breitling Emergency Watch ELT.” Meanwhile, the FAA in 14 CFR Part 91.207, stipulates that U.S.-registered civil airplanes are required to have an approved automatic type emergency locator transmitter in operable condition attached to the airplane. The FAA does not specify either 121.5 or 406 MHz, but the overwhelming majority of aircraft are equipped with 121.5 MHz units, meaning they would be in violation of federal law when it goes into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
EAA, other aviation associations, and the FAA are in ongoing communications with FCC to work out the situation, and EAA advises members to not make any changes with regard to their ELTs at this time.
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