Opinions needed

[Waddles]

G'day Members,

Perusal of several incident reports that have been submitted indicates that many do not understand what is required in the field "ELT Information". ELT stands for Emergency Locator Transmitter, a term that will be foreign to many who have not had significant exposure to aviation in the past. The field is required by ATSB and is only included because of that.

What I'd like to do is change the title of the field to something that means something to most if not all reporters. To achieve this, I seek your input as far as a title is concerned.

Here are a couple of suggestions: Emergency Locator Transmitter; Emergency Beacon; EPIRB.

Over to you all now.

Thanks in anticipation.

Waddles.

[Tim]

Emergency Transmitter (or ET for short) should be easy enough to remember, even for a Gyronaught.

[RickE]

I would normally refer to it as a "locator beacon" but are reasonably familiar with all the various names it has.
It also needs to be noted that a "Spot Me" device should be used in addition to an ELT but not instead of.

[chook]

Alan be careful as the description for CASA is important. For example an EPIRB is more suited to marine use as it is generally tethered to the vessel and may activate automatically. I use a PLB (Personal locator beacon) which fits conveniently in my flying suit and thus can be activated if I am dislodged from the machine and unable to get to a gyro mounted device. And while we are on the subject have our members checked their AMSA details recently as they need to be updated every 2 years - your details are not stored indefinately.

Be aware also that you no longer receive a sticker for your device from AMSA but need to carry a copy of the registration for any CASA checks.

Also my original GME PLB had to be replaced as the battery date was nearing its use by date. I contacted GME who advised me that I would have to send it back to them and include the return postage. It turned out that I could buy a brand new KTI brand unit which is Australian manufactured, has a 10 year battery life, current technology and is smaller and lighter than the GME unit and cheaper. GME need to talk to their marketing people.


Regards..............Chook.

[Waddles]

Thanks Chook,

This has nothing at all to do with CASA. The requirement to report occurrences comes for the ATSB and their charter under the Accident Investigation Act. They want the ELT info in case a fixed auto or manually activated unit does not activate when required. This triggers an alert that perhaps the unit should be investigated further and not be approved for general use. I am not aware of any gyros that have fixed auto activated ELT installations. Most are portable as yours and mine are. Most available within Australia are the approved units. Remember that the authorities lump the use of these devices together, be they used for maritime or aviation purposes, hence the options when one registers the unit. The regulations require that when required, the ELT unit must be of an approved type. A "Spot" type tracker is not such a system, but is potentially useful if the manually activated unit cannot be used in a serious situation. It may show where the wreck is!!

According to the vendor when I tried to have the battery replaced in my unit, this service is no longer available from GME. One needs to purchase a new unit which has a battery life of 10 years. Re the sticker, I get a biennial reminder from the authorities to renew my registration when it is due. CASA can access that info should they require. I don't carry proof of registration. I make a statement and if they dispute it, it is up to them to prove I'm wrong. Never been questioned, but will report if anything to the contrary.

So. What do we call it in the incident report system?

Regards,

Waddles

[RossM]

Hi Allan,
What does the ATSB call them?
I thought EPIRB would do, but a quickly Google, and is for vessel use.

Anyway, 'Emergency Locator Beacon"

How is the question currently worded in the incident report.

Regards...Ross

[RossM]

a copy and paste from registration email below (Australian 406 MHz Distress Beacon and MMSI Register);


Re: Australian 406 MHz Distress Beacon Register
Dear beacon owner, The below extract confirms your beacon registration details, which we would like you to review.
Please check your details carefully and let us know there are any errors. It is important you let us know if the beacon (EPIRB/ELT/PLB) has been transferred to another vessel, aircraft or person or if it has been disposed of.
You may be required to carry proof of registration. If you received this letter by email, you can save it on your mobile phone. Otherwise you can carry this letter as proof of registration. If you would like change your proof of registration preference go to www.amsa.gov.au/beacons
The information on your beacon registration is important to your personal safety in the event of a search and rescue operation. Please ensure you take the time to keep your details up to date.


So can I change my mind Allan.
Maybe call it;

"Distress Beacon (EPIRB/ELT/PLB)"

Regards....Ross

[RickE]

Just to add a bit more confusion to the debate, the most common reference I have heard is as Chook says " Personal Locator Beacon" or PLB.

[tonydenton]

I think what ever we hear on TV reports saying "it was set off or they were found because of their *******"
with all the versions that has been posted here I really can't remember what it is now, but because it's the TV version Is what everyone hears all the time [ whether they boat , ride , hike, drive or fly ] it only needs to be standardised not to be made specialised.

[hatrack]

To my mind "Beacon" is the key word here and so "Emergency Locator Beacon", or "Personal Locator Beacon" are descriptive choices. And as they should only be used in an emergency, "ELB" would seem applicable.
A bit off topic, but in the interest of livening the forum back to its former glory, a few years back my gyro was at the strip packed with Gerry cans and backpack, and a Super King Air pilot wandered up to me a asked "Where are you off to today?" - which I enjoyed replying "Perth!" (Wongan Hills actually). He said to not be afraid to use my distress beacon (hmmm another term) because he was CASA approved for SAR and loved being paid to burn jet fuel!
On the way home through Noccundra, the same plane was bogged up to its axles on the dirt strip. I bumped into the pilot (different bloke) at the pub and after only saying "Gidday" he asked if I was the guy from Moranbah. He said his boss had commented on it to him a couple of weeks before. Small world hey?

[Waddles]

Thanks Guys,

It is referred to in ATSB lingo as an ELT or at least that's what's on their accident report form.
It seems that the words "Emergency" and "Beacon" are forming the majority of suggestions so far, but I'll leave it for a little longer before deciding. Keep the discussion going.

Waddles

[Waddles]

Thanks again Everyone,

..... and the winner is Personal Emergency Beacon. I've decided that "Personal" is appropriate because it is indeed registered to a person. Emergency infers that it should only be used in an actual or anticipated emergency and finally beacon conjures up visions of a device that provides a signal upon which to "home in".

We'll see how this goes down the track.

Thanks again for your input.

Regards,

Waddles.

[RossM]

....and for your prize Allan, a weekend at Wondai.

[tonydenton]

I was just thinking today, can the PEB be carried with you during other activities such as working "remotely" while solo working [ by myself ] and used if I an accident had occurred ?.
we talk about flying or boating or riding etc. surely the same PEB would be good for either or, or the above working option too ???? can you enlighten me please Allan ?

[RossM]

The answer Tony is in Allan post above.
If you fell out of bed and could not reach the phone, and you had the PLB with you, and is a emergency.
do you lay there and die, or use the PLB.

[GraemeMonro]

I can you enlighten me please Allan ?

If you want enlightenment Tony try the Book of Zen.