Even Non-Canadian Registered Aircraft Operating In Canada Must Carry Correct ELT

After 12 years of debate, consultation and negotiation, Transport Canada has decided to mandate new ELTs that broadcast on 406 MHz for most aircraft flying in Canadian airspace, including private aircraft (Canadian and foreign).

However, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) notes that the regulation has not yet been released. To be clear, the current regulation remains in place until such time as the new regulation goes into force, which happens when it is released in the Canada Gazette Part II. So, at this time, no action is required.

According to information on the COPA website, the regulation will require all aircraft flying in Canadian airspace to be equipped with either an ELT that is capable of transmitting on 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz or an alternate means of compliance. While the exact wording for the alternate means is not known at this time, the wording will not change significantly from a previous draft of the regulation; wording that COPA says excludes all affordable alternatives for GA.

The regulation will permit a transition period of two years for commercial aircraft and three years for private aircraft. There are exceptions similar to the current regulation (balloons for example). All foreign aircraft will also have to comply, including U.S.-registered aircraft that are not required to carry the new ELT's in the U.S.

The regulation is currently with the Minister of Transport for sign-off. It then goes to a Treasury Board hearing before being released. COPA does not know when these will occur but if they do not occur soon, it could slip further due to summer recess.

The new ELTs have the capability to send a code to a satellite, which tells rescuers in which country the ELT is registered and in which specific aircraft it is being used. Therefore, a distress signal from the ELT can be linked to a specific owner via a database called the beacon registry that resides at DND’s (Department of National Defense) Mission Control Center, where rescues are coordinated. This feature only works if you register the ELT. This is a new requirement that did not exist with the old ELTs and it is one that is vital in improving the response time to an alert.

COPA says the least costly mandated requirement is to install an Automatic Fixed (AF) ELT that meets TSO C126. ELTs that meet TSO C91 or C91a do not broadcast on 406 MHz and therefore will no longer be acceptable beyond the transition period that will be specified when the regulation is released.

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca/eng/air-menu.htm, www.copanational.org