No New Date Set For 406 MHz Change

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCAA) had proposed the mandatory installation of 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters (or an alternate means of compliance) onto Canadian-registered aircraft and foreign-registered aircraft operating in Canadian airspace because of the withdrawal of Cospas/Sarsat monitoring of 121.5 MHz ELT transmissions beginning February 1st of this year. Amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations were being processed to be effective that same date.

The proposed regulations were worded such that all Canadian aircraft operating internationally and domestically would be required to carry a 406 MHz ELT or an alternate ELD (emergency locator device) system, with a few exceptions. Ultralights, training operations within 25 nm of an airport, flight tests and parachute operations were all excluded from the rules. These exclusions are the same as currently provided under the existing Canadian Aviation Regulations. Internationally registered aircraft operating in Canadian airspace would have been subject to the same requirements.

TCCA has advised the Aircraft Electronics Association that the minister of transport, the Honorable John Baird, has decided TCCA should pursue further consultation with the industry on the 406 MHz ELT regulation.  He said the new rules did not include specific alternatives to 406 ELTs, although it included language that indicated an alternative method of compliance was possible. TCCA will be forming a new technical committee to review the proposed regulation and alternative technologies to the 406 MHz ELT, and it expects to convene the first meeting of this committee in July.

The delay in implementing the new regulation means 406 MHz ELT carriage is not mandatory at this time. However, approved 406 MHz ELTs with 121.5 MHz capability may be installed to comply with the existing regulations for carriage of a 121.5 MHz ELT.

FMI: http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/regserv/Affairs/cars/menu.htm