§  87.199   Special requirements for 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs.

   (a) 406.0-406.1 ELTs use G1D emission. Except for the spurious emission
   limits specified in §  87.139(h), 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs must meet all the
   technical and performance standards contained in the Radio Technical
   Commission for Aeronautics document titled “Minimum Operational
   Performance Standards 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT)”
   Document No. RTCA/DO-204 dated September 29, 1989. The Director of the
   Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance
   with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of this standard can be
   inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street,
   SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National
   Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
   availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
   http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ib
   r_locations.html. Copies of the RTCA standards also may be obtained
   from the Radio Technical Commission of Aeronautics, One McPherson
   Square, 1425 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005.

   (b) The 406.0-406.1 MHz ELT must contain as an integral part a homing
   beacon operating only on 121.500 MHz that meets all the requirements
   described in the RTCA Recommended Standards document described in
   paragraph (a) of this section. The 121.500 MHz homing beacon must have
   a continuous duty cycle that may be interrupted during the transmission
   of the 406.0-406.1 MHz signal only.

   (c) Prior to verification of a 406.0-406.1 MHz ELT, the ELT must be
   certified by a test facility recognized by one of the COSPAS/SARSAT
   Partners that the equipment satisfies the design characteristics
   associated with the COSPAS/SARSAT document COSPAS/SARSAT 406 MHz
   Distress Beacon Type Approval Standard (C/S T.007). Additionally, an
   independent test facility must certify that the ELT complies with the
   electrical and environmental standards associated with the RTCA
   Recommended Standards.

   (d) The procedures for verification are contained in subpart J of part
   2 of this chapter.

   (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and
   Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager
   for the 406.0-406.1 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be
   programmed in each ELT unit to establish a unique identification for
   each ELT station. With each marketable ELT unit the manufacturer or
   grantee must include a postage pre-paid registration card printed with
   the ELT identification code addressed to: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon
   Registration, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, Room 3320, 5200 Auth Road,
   Suitland, MD 20746-4304. The registration card must request the owner's
   name, address, telephone, type of aircraft, alternate emergency
   contact, and other information as required by NOAA. The registration
   card must also contain information regarding the availability to
   register the ELT at NOAA's online Web-based registration database at:
   http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. Further, the following
   statement must be included: “WARNING “ Failure to register this ELT
   with NOAA before installation could result in a monetary forfeiture
   being issued to the owner.”

   (f) To enhance protection of life and property, it is mandatory that
   each 406.0-406.1 MHz ELT must be registered with NOAA before
   installation and that information be kept up-to-date. In addition to
   the identification plate or label requirements contained in § §  2.925
   and 2.926 of this chapter, each 406.0-406.1 MHz ELT must be provided on
   the outside with a clearly discernable permanent plate or label
   containing the following statement: “The owner of this 406.0-406.1 MHz
   ELT must register the NOAA identification code contained on this label
   with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), whose
   address is: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, E/SP3, Federal Building 4,
   Room 3320, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746-4304.” Aircraft owners
   shall advise NOAA in writing upon change of aircraft or ELT ownership,
   or any other change in registration information. Fleet operators must
   notify NOAA upon transfer of ELT to another aircraft outside of the
   owner's control, or an other change in registration information. NOAA
   will provide registrants with proof of registration and change of
   registration postcards.

   (g) For 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs whose identification code can be changed
   after manufacture, the identification code shown on the plant or label
   must be easily replaceable using commonly available tools.

   [ 69 FR 32885 , June 14, 2004, as amended at  76 FR 17352 , Mar. 29, 2011]

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Subpart G—Aeronautical Advisory Stations (Unicoms)

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