AOPA Opposes FCC’s 121.5-MHz ELT Ban

AOPA “vigorously opposes” the U.S. Federal Communication Commission’s plan to prohibit the future use of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) that use a 121.5-MHz signal. The proposal will have a negative effect on aviation safety, according to AOPA, and the association told the FCC it should immediately abandon its proposed rule changes and defer to the FAA on matters of aviation safety. According to AOPA, there are more than 200,000 general aviation aircraft still carrying 121.5-MHz ELTs. With the advent of new 409-MHz ELTs, active satellite monitoring for 121.5-MHz ELT distress signals ceased on Feb. 1, 2009.