First FAA Special Conditions Exempt ELT Available On The Market

Safety and survival manufacturer ARTEX, an ACR Electronics, Inc. brand, is introducing what the company says is world’s only 406 MHz approved transport-grade alkaline battery-powered Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).  The development of the innovative ARTEX ELT 4000 featuring an alternative power source to traditional lithium batteries offers OEMs, airlines and operators an ELT that is exempt from FAA non-rechargeable lithium battery special conditions, while introducing significant benefits and savings in the cost of ownership through reduced, acquisition, installation, and maintenance.

By incorporating ACR Electronics’ unique alkaline battery system design, the ELT 4000 is completely exempt from the FAA compliance requirements applying to the installation of lithium batteries.  The ARTEX ELT’s 5-year replaceable alkaline battery does not require additional protective housing or containment vessel.  Further advantages of the ARTEX automatic fixed ELT include cost savings due to a lower battery expense over the five-year replacement cycle, the avoidance of hazardous material shipping fees and regulations, and easier disposal.

Jeffery Geraci, Director of Aviation Sales, states, “The innovative ARTEX ELT 4000 offers overwhelming advantages for business and transport level aircraft, with both fixed and rotor wing designs.  Not only is it exempt from requiring FAA special conditions certification, it is also less costly for airlines’ logistics as it is designed for easy and low-cost retrofit and is less expensive to ship than traditional ELTs with no hazmat shipping hassles.  The mounting tray footprint matches the legacy ARTEX ELT installation to further reduce engineering costs.  Featuring an advanced component structure and efficiencies that enable it to use less power while still meeting 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz performance standards, ELT 4000 is an immediate and innovative answer to the new regulations.”

The ELT 4000 is ideal for simplified forward fit and retrofit opportunities. Unlike legacy ELT systems, it is a one-piece solution featuring built-in NAV interface (ARINC 429), allowing for connection to on-board GPS.  As it is a single output ELT, the ARTEX device uses the same RF output and only one coax cable to transmit both 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz signals. It features further options including a two-wire remote switch that does not require any aircraft power.

The ARTEX ELT 4000 has received Cospas-Sarsat and FAA TSO certification and production units are now shipping.  Activated manually using cockpit remote switch or automatically via internal G-Switch, the 406 MHz signal is transmitted to the Global Cospas-Sarsat satellite network and routed to the nearest Search and Rescue agency. GPS data embedded within the digital transmission reduces the search radius to 100 meters.

The ARTEX ELT 4000 is also approved and available in a Helicopter Model (HM) with a 5-axis G-Switch.

(Image provided with ARTEX news release)

FMI: www.artex.com