Archive for April 19th, 2009
Personal Locator Beacons are becoming a popular item with pilots of general aviation airplanes. The FAA has not required the use of 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters yet so pilots can keep the cost down and continue to use their 121.5 MHz ELTs in their airplanes. However, many realize that these old 121.5 MHz ELTs are very unreliable and are no longer monitored by satellites. As an added measure of safety, many pilots are purchasing a much less expensive personal locator beacon (as compared to a new 406 MHz ELT).
Although the personal locator beacon will not activate automatically in event of a crash, it is very easy to activate manually in the event it is needed. The small and portable PLB can be taken anywhere and provide the added safety of satellite location using the strong, digital 406 MHz signal. Therefore, the personal locator beacon can be used for flying and any other activity one might be involved in.