Business jet operators knew three years ago that they would have to be equipped with approved ELTs by January 1 this year or be grounded until the installation was made. Many operators apparently didn’t take this notice seriously (maybe counting on the FAA to delay compliance, as it has a history of doing) and waited until the last minute to make arrangements for the installation. Or they simply forgot about it. For whatever reason, the result is that about 600 U.S.-registered business jets, nearly 7 percent of the fleet, did not have an ELT installed when the deadline passed at midnight on New Year’s Eve, instantly rendering these aircraft inoperable by regulation.
Most of these remained grounded at press time waiting for manufacturers to deliver emergency locator transmitters–both 121.5-MHz and 406-MHz units–to avionics installation facilities, according to the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA). The manufacturers of ELTs also inadvertently contributed to the problem because they have had delays in obtaining components to complete assembly of their units.
Meanwhile, the FAA continues not to grant temporary exemptions, saying its hands are tied because it already received a compliance extension when Congress first ordered the requirement three years ago.
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