Regulations and Government
FCC likely to modify its proposed 121.5-MHz ELT ban
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is said to be close to responding to an FAA request that it withdraw a June notice that seeks to impose a total

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is said to be close to responding to an FAA request that it withdraw a June notice that seeks to impose a total ban on the “certification, manufacture, importation, sale or continued use” of 121.5-MHz emergency locator transmitters.

FAA regulations require U.S.-registered aircraft to carry fixed emergency locator transmitters, but the rules don’t specify whether they should operate on 121.5 or 406 MHz. Although satellites have not listened for 121.5-MHz signals since February 1 last year, the frequency is still monitored by ATC, the military and other pilots and many 406-MHz ELTs also broadcast distress signals on 121.5 MHz.