emks@uokvax.UUCP (10/14/83)
#N:uokvax:1200001:000:570
uokvax!emks Oct 12 10:56:00 1983
I've been putting together some stats about the survivability of ELTs
in planes that have been overdue and actually had mishaps.
It seems that (at least in Oklahoma), while most of the ELTs that go off
are bogus (mostly on airport ramps during annuals, etc.), less than fifty
per-cent of the aircraft that DO crash have ELTs that survive the impact.
This seems amazing, since most ELTs are located aft (which is the most
survivable part of the aircraft anyway).
Does anyone know why these ELTs aren't surviving/working?
Kurt Sauer
{ ctvax | uok } ! uokvax!emksralph@inuxc.UUCP (10/14/83)
Part of the ELT survival problem is the antenna. Most (maybe all) of the ELT antennas on modern aircraft are external, and tend to get ripped off during the crash. As a result, even though the transmitter may survive the impact, nobody can hear the signal. I understand that the FAA is considering ELT's with integral antennas to increase the survivability of the ELT. As an aside, how many people actually check to see if their ELT is transmitting after they land. I suspect it isn't a high percentage (I know I don't do it regularly). Ralph Keyser AT&T CP, Indianapolis inuxc!ralph