Requirements for Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT)

From: Transport Canada

Aircraft operators and owners must meet Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) requirements. If there are differences in meaning between this page and the regulatory text and standards, the regulatory text and standards prevail.

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ELTs

An ELT is an emergency locator transmitter that helps rescuers find aircraft and people in distress following an aircraft impact with terrain.

You can find the rules for carrying and using ELTs on board aircraft operated in Canada in Part VI, Subpart 5 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR), specifically CAR 605.38. Note: These requirements apply to All Canadian and foreign registered aircraft.

The general rule in Canada is that the ELTs that are required must transmit signals simultaneously on the 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz frequencies and must comply with the standards specified below. Transport Canada accepts for operational use under CAR 605.38 only those 406 MHz ELTs that also transmit on 121.5 MHz.

You can find the full requirements for ELTs in:

Note: We have referenced these requirements below for convenience only. Refer to the regulations and standards for the latest information.

ELT approval and acceptance

Aircraft operated in Canada must comply with the equipment design and installation standards specified in section 551.104 of Chapter 551 of the Airworthiness Manual (AWM), including, but not limited to, the requirements of CAN-TSO-C126( ) for the ELT equipment.

Although not required by AWM 551.104, it is highly recommended that a CAN-TSO certification (design approval) for the ELT is obtained in accordance with the specified CAN-TSO prior to installation.

Transport Canada approved ELTs are identified in the NAPA Issued Certificates Online (NICO) database database.

An ELT can be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under a Technical Standard Order (TSO), or by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under an equivalent European Technical Standard Order (ETSO). ELTs approved under TSO standards (or equivalent ETSO standards) at later amendments to those specified in AWM 551.104 would be considered as satisfying the minimum requirement set out in AWM 551.104, so long as the ELT broadcasts on both the 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz:

ELT installation

An owner or operator wishing to install or change an installation of one or more approved/accepted ELT(s) on a Canadian registered aircraft must do so in accordance with AWM 551.104 and in compliance with the certification basis of the aircraft onto which the ELT is installed. The licensed AME performing this maintenance work will be able to identify whether the particular installation would require specific ELT installation design approval data (i.e. type certificate, including amended or supplemental type certificate) or whether the ELT manufacturer’s installation instructions may be sufficient in the case of simple installations.

All installations, new or old, must meet the requirements of AWM 551.104 for batteries, including standards specified for lithium sulfur dioxide (LiSO2) battery types if applicable.

406 MHz ELT coding protocols

The coding to uniquely identify an ELT must follow these protocols:

  1. ELTs able to determine their location, and transmit this information in the beacon's message:
    1. An ELT of type AF, AP or AD must use the Standard Location Protocol and the 24-bit binary aircraft identification Transport Canada assigned to the aircraft when it registered the aircraft
    2. An S Type ELT must use the Standard Location Protocol and the unique serial number assigned to the ELT by its manufacturer and the Cospas-Sarsat beacon type approval certificate number
  2. ELTs not able to determine their own location:
    1. ELT types AF, AP or AD ELT must use the Serial User Protocol with the 24-bit binary aircraft identification Transport Canada assigned to the aircraft when it registered the aircraft to uniquely identify the ELT
    2. An S type ELT must use the Serial User Protocol with a unique Beacon Serial Number
  3. Al ELT country codes must reflect the state in which the aircraft is registered

Registration information: 406 MHz ELT

Each 406 MHz ELT must be registered with the Canadian Beacon Registry before it is installed on a Canadian-registered aircraft.

In the case of a change of aircraft ownership and/or registration, the buyer or lessee is responsible for ensuring that:

  • any changes to the 406 MHz ELT coded information is completed
  • the revised information has been brought to the attention of the Canadian Beacon Registry

If an aircraft is already equipped with survival type ELTs (ELT(S)), the buyer or lessee is responsible for ensuring that the:

  • country code is changed to reflect the state in which the aircraft is registered
  • appropriate beacon registry is notified

Please direct your questions about Transport Canada approval of ELTs and related batteries to the nearest Transport Canada Civil Aviation regional office.

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