§ 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/ibr_loc
   ations.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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