ELT Story

[TricoBob]

I want to share what happened to me today with my ELT (ME-406 that I purchased with my Sport Cub). I was in my T hangar installing my new pilot's seat. I have a new seat because mine broke. I am sure that I am the one that caused the seat inspection notice last week. In the process of installing the new seat I inadvertently switched the ELT on when I was working to get the front bolts inserted. I was not aware that it was on but my cell phone rang and it was the Coast Guard and they asked a few questions and determined that my ELT was transmitting and I checked and found that it was on. I turned it off and about 5 minutes latter I got a call from someone at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center in Fl. Both Callers said that I was not in trouble and that this new ELT is a great improvement over the old type because they know what ELT the signal is coming from and they can make an attempt to call that person.
What did I learn from this:
1. These new 406 MHZ ELT's work like they are supposed to.
2. I am glad I got my ELT registered on the system (I did that because of reading about it on this site).
3. After looking at my ELT a little closer, I discovered that the ELT was situated a little bit to far forward of where it should be in the slot under the seat pedestal which allowed the seat to trip the switch from "armed" to "on" when I had the seat pivoted forward.
4. When working on the seat in the future, disconnect and remove the ELT so it does not get accidentally turned on.
Bob Savage
#35
Oak Harbor, WA

 

[couleeone]

 

[j3cub]

 

[George]

 

[couleeone]

 

[TricoBob]

 

[couleeone]

 

[TricoBob]

 

[brightbob]

 

[couleeone]