§ 87.199   Special requirements for 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs.

   (a) 406.0-406.1 MHz 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 for Aeronautics, Inc., 1150 18th
   Street NW., Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036.

   (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, NSOF, E/SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD
   20910-9684. 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, NSOF, E/SPO53, 1315 East West Hwy,
   Silver Spring, MD 20910-9684.” 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
   any 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;
    79 FR 77918 , Dec. 29, 2014]

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Subpart G—Aeronautical Advisory Stations (Unicoms)

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