Aircraft ELT

What happens if an aircraft experiences an emergency situation and needs to make an unexpected landing? An emergency locator transmitter (ELT) can help others locate your aircraft and send help. 

What Is an Emergency Locator Transmitter?

An ELT is a piece of equipment that sends signals on particular frequencies. An ELT can be activated by impact or manually by an individual on board an aircraft. Several types of ELT are available, including automatic fixed models, automatic portable models and automatic deployable models. Survival ELTs can be taken off of the aircraft and manually activated by any survivors of a crash.

Why Does Every Aircraft Need an ELT?

ELTs have been legally required on all U.S. aircraft since the 1970s. The earliest models sent their signals on the 121.5 MHz frequency, which was the international distress frequency. The earliest models were not very reliable and were prone to sending false alarms.

Advances in technology have made ELTs far more reliable and responsive. New models send a signal over the 406 MHz frequency. They are also better equipped to provide search and rescue teams with specific information about an aircraft. When activated, a 406 MHz frequency ELT sends the GPS coordinates of the aircraft to search and rescue teams.

Shop Aviation ELT at Chief Aircraft Inc.

Chief Aircraft Inc. has several ELT models in stock, along with ELT replacement batteries and antennas. Browse our selection and give us a call at 1-866-757-4708 to order or for further assistance. We're happy to help you choose the right ELT for your aircraft.