Kannad Aviation News
GA Fixed Wing
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 08:30
PLB vs ELT
PLB or ELT?
In many countries an ELT is not mandated for GA aircraft, and some people will argue that carriage of a PLB is a better choice. However, pilots should be aware of the limitations of PLBs, in that they require manual activation. If you and your passengers are unconscious as the result of an impact, there’s nobody to alert the emergency services and get help on the way to you. A fixed ELT will get things moving quicker and help prevent an accident becoming a tragedy.
Kannad Aviation offers a choice of two ELTs for General Aviation fixed wing aircraft, the COMPACT and the INTEGRA.
The COMPACT is the standard 406/121.5MHz ELT. The INTEGRA adds GPS and an internal 406MHz antenna.
ELT's for Fixed Wing General Aviation
Kannad 406 AF-COMPACT
Designed for all light aircraft requiring a very compact automatic fixed ELT without breaking the bank.
The robust and reliable shock sensor will automatically activate the ELT in the event of an impact; the pilot can also activate the ELT manually via a remote switch on the instrument panel.
Kannad INTEGRA
All the features of the COMPACT plus GPS and internal 406MHz antenna. Sending a distress message with GPS coordinates enables rescuers to come directly to you, rather than search the area.The INTEGRA also features internal 406MHz and GPS antennas saving significant cost on installation in many aircraft.
- Integrated internal 406MHz back-up antenna
- Unique built-in GPS
- Low cost two wire compatibility when installed with optional control panel
- Minor change approval available for most common aircraft
- Operates at temperatures as low as -20°C
- -40°C version available for mounting outside pressurised fuselage.
- Optional programming dongle, perfect for fleet operators
- Quick and easy retrofit with universal mounting bracket
- Built-in alarm/buzzer
- Completely self-powered by the ELT battery (replacement every 6 years).
Once activated the 406 AF INTEGRA transmits continuously for over 24 hours on 406MHz (distress) signal and over 48 hours on a 121.5MHz (homing) signal, alerting international rescue services to the emergency and your location via the global COSPAS-SARSAT Search and Rescue satellite system.
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NMEA INTEGRA e-Nav
NMEA INTEGRA e-Nav is a navigation interface providing a continual and ongoing source of GPS data to the revolutionary INTEGRA ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter). This interface ensures the availability of location data when, for whatever reason, the INTEGRA ELT’s internal GPS cannot receive a signal. In this instance the interface provides back-up GPS position data taken from the aircraft’s own panel mounted GPS.
Marking a major step forward in the development of aircraft safety equipment, the NMEA INTEGRA e-Nav ensures that when activated, the INTEGRA ELT always has GPS location data that can be transmitted to the COSPAS SARSAT satellite network in an emergency. Whether the data is from the INTEGRA ELT’s unique built-in GPS receiver or from the NMEA INTEGRA e-Nav, the emergency services will be able to pin-point location within a few minutes of the beacon being activated.
The NMEA INTEGRA e-Nav enables a connection to the data output from the aircraft’s own panel-mounted GPS, using the NMEA0183 interface, with the aircraft’s position being continually recorded and updated inside the e-Nav during normal operations. In an emergency, the INTEGRA will first attempt to get a position fix from its internal GPS, as this is the current and therefore most accurate information. If this is unsuccessful, due to shielding of the metal fuselage, the position from the NMEA INTEGRA e-NAV will be used. This records the last known position (before the Master Switch is turned off on final approach during a forced landing), close to the aircraft’s eventual position.
Recognising the importance of this safety equipment, from summer 2012, INTEGRA ELTs with NMEA INTEGRA e-Nav will be installed on all Eurocopter, Germany, helicopters.
