Sec. 87.199  Special requirements for 406.025 MHz ELTs.

    (a) Except for the spurious emission limits specified in 
Sec. 87.139(h), 406.025 MHz ELTs must meet all the technical and 
performance standards contained in the Radio Technical Commission for 
Aeronautics document titled ``Minimum Operational Performance Standards 
406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT)'' Document No RTCA/DO-204 
dated September 29, 1989. This RTCA document is incorporated by 
reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a), and 1 CFR part 51. Copies 
of the document are available and may be obtained from the Radio 
Technical Commission of Aeronautics, One McPherson Square, 1425 K Street 
NW., Washington, DC, 20005. The document is available for inspection at 
Commission headquarters at 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20554. 
Copies may also be inspected at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capital Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (b) The 406.025 MHz ELT must contain as an integral part a homing 
beacon operating only on 121.500 MHz that meets all the requirements 
described in the RTCA Recommended Standards document described in 
paragraph (a) of this section. The 121.500 MHz homing beacon must have a 
continuous duty cycle that may be interrupted during the transmission of 
the 406.025 MHz signal only.
    (c) Prior to submitting a notification application of a 406.025 MHz 
ELT, the ELT must be certified by a test facility recognized by one of 
the COSPAS/SARSAT Partners that the equipment satisfies the design 
characteristics associated with the COSPAS/SARSAT document COSPAS/SARSAT 
406 MHz Distress Beacon Type Approval Standard (C/S T.007). 
Additionally, an independent test facility must certify that the ELT 
complies with the electrical and environmental standards associated with 
the RTCA Recommended Standards.
    (d) The procedures for obtaining a grant of notification from the 
Commission are contained in subpart J of part 2 of this chapter.
    (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United

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States Program Manager for the 406.025 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite 
system, must be programmed in each ELT unit to establish a unique 
identification for each ELT station. With each marketable ELT unit the 
manufacturer or grantee must include a postage pre-paid registration 
card printed with the ELT identification code addressed to: NOAA/NESDIS, 
SARSAT Operations Division, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, Washington, DC 
20233. The registration card must request the owner's name, address, 
telephone number, type of aircraft, alternate emergency contact and 
include the following statement: ``WARNING--failure to register this ELT 
with NOAA before installation could result in a monetary forfeiture 
being issued to the owner.''
    (f) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that 
each 406.025 MHz ELT must be registered with NOAA before installation 
and that information be kept up-to-date. In addition to the 
identification plate or label requirements contained in Secs. 2.925, 
2.926 and 2.1003 of this chapter, each 406.025 MHz ELT must be provided 
on the outside with a clearly discernable permanent plate or label 
containing the following statement: ``The owner of this 406.025 MHz ELT 
must register the NOAA identification code contained on this label with 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) whose address 
is: NOAA, NOAA/SARSAT Operations Division, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, 
Washington, D.C. 20233.'' Aircraft owners shall advise NOAA in writing 
upon change of aircraft or ELT ownership, or any other change in 
registration information. Fleet operators must notify NOAA upon transfer 
of ELT to another aircraft outside of the owners control, or an other 
change in registration information. NOAA will provide registrants with 
proof of registration and change of registration postcards.
    (g) For 406.025 MHz ELTs whose identification code can be changed 
after manufacture, the identification code shown on the plant or label 
must be easily replaceable using commonly available tools.
[ 58 FR 30128 , May 26, 1993, as amended at  59 FR 35269 , July 11, 1994]

           Subpart G--Aeronautical Advisory Stations (Unicoms)