Archive for the ‘Aircraft Survival’ Category
Aviation safety has been a hot-button issue in recent weeks following the thwarted Christmas Day bombing. It seems like everyday new measures are being proposed to eliminate the impending threat of terrorism and plane takeovers. One of the most controversial of these tactics is utilizing new full-body scanners.
These devices would give security personnel a computerized image of a passenger via an x-ray. The image would be digitized to provide some confidentiality, but they still leave nothing to the imagination. Despite new measures designed to frustrate terrorists, there will likely be new innovations and tactics employed to circumvent any security upgrades.
The Mexican government had decided to allow, for a short time longer, US airplanes to fly into Mexican airspace and the country if they still have the old 121.5 ELT installed. The country of Mexico still switched to the new rule of allowing only 406MHz emergency locator transmitters on aircraft that are registered in Mexico. If a USA registered airplane flys into Mexico, it will still be allowed for the time being.
Mexico realizes the vast amount of airplanes that fly in and out of Mexico rm the united states. The US has not mandated the use of 406MHz ELTs so if Mexico were to ban all aircraft that do not have them it would severely impact the revenue from US airplanes. The restriction on the old 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters will eventually be upheld by Mexico, but for now it is still legal to fly into Mexico with an old one.
Amateur Pilots Should Stay Prepared
Like most amateur pilots, I got started with my hobby after being fascinated with the idea of flight. As a child I dreamed of soaring through the air, bursting through clouds and racing birds. I’ve stuck with flying planes mostly because of the sense of camaraderie among small aircraft pilots. Every so often, wanderlust gets the best of me and I begin charting a course across the country.
My plane is so small that it needs to be refueled every few hours, and landing to gas up at various small airfields gives me a chance to meet new people. Even more so than a commercial jet pilot, I must remain alert at all times and prepared in case anything goes wrong in the mechanical department. I keep a few aircraft survival kits on hand in case of the worst.
Personal locator beacons are saving lives everyday worldwide. The COSPAS/SARSAT system of globally tracking 406MHz signals via satellites is proving to be a real life saving system. The system uses an array of satellites launched and monitored by Canada, the United States, France, and Russia to monitor and distress signal by a personal locator beacon (personal), emergency locator transmitter (aircraft), or an EPIRB (boat). This signal is immediately detected anywhere on the planet and transmitted to the nearest rescue facility. Personal locator beacons are very small and are being used everyday for saving the lives of boaters, pilots, hiker, campers, hunters, etc…
Survival kits are recommended by state and federal emergency services because of their life saving potential. A simple survival kit can be just enough to get a person or family through an unexpected natural disaster or terrorist action. When normal means of getting help are cut off for a few hours or a few days, the contents of a survival kit can be enough to save someone’s life or get them through a tough situation a little easier. Food, shelter, and emergency medical supplies are just the basics of a kit and can absolutely essential in an emergency. Don’t get caught off guard when the unexpected happens. Prepare yourself with a well prepared survival kit.
A pilot was saved when his Artex ME406 emergency locator transmitter alerted rescues services to his location. Flying at low altitude for survey work, there was no time to get a radio signal out before preparing for an immediate off airport landing. The pilot executed a great forced landing in the wilderness north west of Anchorage, but was unable to contact anyone via radio due to the remoteness of location. He manually activated his Artex ME406 emergency locator transmitter and was found with a rescue aircraft within two hours.
Ameri-King emergency locator transmitters are one of the best selling units on the market for general aviation. The AK-450 and AK-451 (121.5 and 406 MHz) are standard equipment installed at the factory for many general aviation aircraft. The units also retrofit many aircraft with other models of ELTs. Most of the time the previous wiring and mounting brackets can be used to greatly reduce the installation cost. With a great warranty and reputation as an industry leader, the Ameri-King emergency locator transmitter line is great choice for general aviation.
Survival Kits are an excellent way to be prepared for just about any disaster that can arise. Survival kits can be purchased very cheaply with all the requirements needed to survive for a few days in the desolate wilderness or in the city if disaster strikes by way of natural disaster or terrorist act. A survival kit can also be stored for years and still be good for use at any time. Many people will keep one in their home, car, boat, airplane, etc. just to be safe. If you think you may feel safer knowing you are prepared for any emergency that can arise, look into a cost effective and well prepared survival kit.
Experimental aircraft and regular general aviation aircraft are still using the 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters. The FAA has not mandated the use of 406 MHz beacons so 121.5 MHz is still legal foe use in aircraft. The best thing about this is that 121.5 MHz is very cheap compared to the new 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter. Ameri-King makes one of the best selling 121.5 ELTs in the market.
GME Accusat personal locator beacons are on sale for just a few days. The manufacturer is offering special deals for just a few days. The Accusat is one of the best selling PLBs in the world. It comes with an industry leading 7 year warranty and 7 year battery. It also has a strobe on the beacon itself. If you are interseted in getting a PLB look into the GME Accusat.