Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

Reference AIM SAR 3.0

Categories of ELTs

• A or AD: automatic ejectable or automatic deployable
• F or AF: fixed or automatic fixed
• AP: automatic portable
• P: personal
• W or S: water-activated or survival

CAR 605.38 ELT

• relevance to ATPL: large multi-engine turbojet airplanes engaged in air transport service with passengers require two ELTs (type W or S) when operating over water at a distance from land which requires life rafts (recall CAR 602.63 for life raft requirements)

CAR 605.39 Use of ELTs

• you can operate without a serviceable ELT if it is removed and repaired ASAP and the aircraft is placarded.
• ELT must be replaced within 10 days for 704 and 705 (30 days for everyone else)
• if you require 2 ELTs and they are both unserviceable: repair and replace the first ASAP, 10 days grace for the second

CAR 605.40 ELT Activation

• the only reason an ELT should be activated is in the event of an emergency, or testing (5 seconds only during the first 5 minutes of any hour)
• in the event of inadvertent activation, advise ATC / FSS / aerodrome and switch off

Note from AIM SAR 3.8: Unlike traditional 121.5/243 MHz ELTS, 406 MHz ELTs and their associated cockpit remote switch should be tested in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions only.

Pilot Response to Signals - notify nearest ATS:

• position, altitude and time first heard and contact lost
• ELT signal strength and did it cease suddenly or fade

Downed Aircraft Procedures:

• switch ELT on ASAP and do not cycle or switch off until positively located
• raising ELT from ground level to 8 ft may increase range by 20-40%
• if in an uninhabited area, stay with aircraft and ELT (more visible than people), have smoke/flares/signal fires read to attract SAR

Life Jackets and Life Rafts

CAR 602.62 Life Preservers and Flotation Devices
When do you need them?
(1) taking off / landing on water, or unable to get to shore if you have an engine failure
(2) if you are operating more than 50 NM from shore

CAR 602.63 Life Rafts and Survival Equipment - Flights over Water
How far from shore before you need them?
(1) single engine or multi unable to maintain altitude with failed engine >> 100 NM or 30 min at cruising speed (whichever is less)
(2) multi-engine able to maintain altitude >> 200 NM or 60 minutes at cruising speed
(3) transport category aeroplane >> 400 NM or 120 minutes at cruising speed

Hand-Held Fire Extinguishers

I'm going to jump between subjects to keep things interesting, but I'll tag each post so they are searchable.  However, in keeping with the tradition of one of my best ground school instructors, we're going to start with Air Law.  Though it is arguably one of the less exciting subjects, there is no denying that knowledge of Air Law is essential.   So without further ado...

Remember: 704 is for Commuter Operations; 705 is for Airlines, and the requirements are different.  

CAR 704.83 says that you need at least one hand-held fire extinguisher readily accessible in the passenger compartment if you are flying with passengers.

CAR 705.93 is about 7 paragraphs long, and details quantity, location, type, and demarcation requirements.  Key take-away: in addition to one hand-held fire extinguisher in the flight compartment, there needs to be 2 or more in the cabin, based on the number of passenger seats (regardless if there are passengers in them or not):
(a) 60 or fewer passenger seats, two extinguishers;
(b) 61 to 200 passenger seats, three extinguishers;
(c) 201 or more passenger seats, one extra extinguisher for each additional unit of 100 passenger seats.
You also need one in each of the Class E cargo compartments and isolated galleys, if so equipped. 

So on a Dash-8 Q400 with seating for 72 passengers, a total of 4 hand-held fire extinguishers would be required (1 in the flight compartment and 3 in the cabin).