Regulatory Information
The production of 406 emergency locator transmitters is governed by two agencies:
The regulatory environment has changed significantly with the implementation of the new FAA TSO c-126a which eliminated the requirement for a 121.5 transmitter in a 406 ELT as well as Cospas-Sarsat terminating the monitoring of 121.5 beacons as of February 1, 2009.
On June 1, 2010 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Third Report and Order in which it prohibits further certification, manufacture, importation, sale or use of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters. While the FAA is the final authority on this matter and has yet to make any official change requiring the change over, this FCC policy indicates the direction in which the aviation industry finds itself heading.
UPDATE: On January 10, 2011, the Federal Communication Commission formally stayed their rule on the prohibition on the certification, manufacture, importation, sale or use of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) that transmit distress alerts on frequency 121.5 MHz.2.
The FCC has taken this action at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration. They (the FCC) are planning a new Notice requesting public comment on the future of legacy 121.5 ELTs to be released sometime in early 2011. Click here to view the Jan 10, 2011 order.
When you combine the FAA’s change in TSO standards eliminating the 121.5 requirement, the FCC’s move to eventually align the aviation industry to its maritime counterpart where 121.5 beacons are already outlawed and the fact that any official monitoring of the 121.5 frequency was terminated February 2009, the case for transitioning to a 406 ELT becomes quite compelling.