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Chapter 6 - Federal Aviation Regulations: How FAR Can We Go? 6-43

THE ELT TRANSMITTER
ACTIVATION SWITCH
FOR TESTING THE ELT

ELT in this location.

Fig. 55 ELT ANTENNA AND LOCATION

as he tunes the airplane radio to 121.5 (the emergency frequency). Suddenly the
speaker wails with, “Whewwww, whewwww, whewwww...” It seems like you
can’t get away with anything nowadays!
The most important thing to remember about your ELT is that the batter-
ies must be replaced or recharged if the device has been in use for more than
one cumulative hour, or when 50% of their useful life (or life of charge) has
expired. If you want to manually test the airplane’s ELT on the ground you
may do so during the first five minutes past the hour (you’re limited to three
audible sweeps during the test).
Additionally, each ELT must be inspected within 12 calendar months after
the last inspection for: proper installation, operation, battery corrosion and for
the presence of a sufficient signal radiated from its antenna.
As a final note on ELTs, you might not have heard that there is a new kid on
the block known as a 406 MHz ELT. This newer type of ELT is superior to its
older (121.5 MHz) cousin in that it has a more precise signal and is compati-
ble with our present search and rescue satellite system (current satellites no
longer monitor 121.5 MHz). The newer ELT system makes search and rescue
(SAR) operations easier and more efficient, leading to a greater chance of
rescue in the event of an emergency. The 406 MHz ELT can also be coded
with the airplane owner’s identification or coding. There is, however, no
requirement for airplane owners to replace their older ELT systems with the
newer 406 MHz systems. This remains a voluntary operation on the part of
airplane owners.
Fig. 56
FAR 91.209 Aircraft Lights
Official night time for airplanes is from sunset to sunrise. No person may
operate an aircraft during this period unless it has lighted position lights
(Figure 56). These are the lights that make it easier for pilots to see each
other at night. An easy way to remember the color of these lights for air-
planes is to ask the following questions. What color means it’s all RIGHT
to go? Yes, a green light and that’s the color light on the RIGHT wing, as
shown in Figure 57. What do we call the radical LEFT-wingers in our politi-
cal system? Yes, we used to call them Commies or Reds. Therefore, LEFT
wings have a red position light. The tail carries a white light.
The tail light and rotating beacon. The left wing position light. The right wing position light.

Fig. 57