Installation and Registration of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

FOCA SAND-2012-001 Rev. version of 24.11.2025

Cause

Accidents from gliders have repeatedly shown that unairworthy or switched off emergency transmitters, can considerably hinder and unnecessary delay the timeliness of the search and rescue operations after an accident.

In case of an accident, the Search and Rescue Service  (SAR) can determine the exact accident location and fix the position of the concerned aircraft, using the data provided from a built in emergency transmitter sent through "Cospas-Sarsat"- satellites. A prompt localization of the accident location can save lives.

Recommendation

Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 defines which aircraft must be equipped with an ELT. The corresponding code must be reported to the Registration Authority in writing, so that the ELT details can be registered in the "Search and Rescue (SAR)" database and be to the disposal of the Rescue Units in case of need.

Based on aircraft continuous airworthiness monitoring and regular surveillance activities, the FOCA has found that installed ELTs were often unairworthy which could be due to the following reasons:

• The wrong antenna or the wrong antenna cable is installed on the ELT
• The maintenance was not carried out in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions
• The ELT is not operational (for e.g. old, flat batteries)

Presently, ELT details of many Swiss aircraft are outstanding. Furthermore, the existing ELT database entries are incomplete or incorrect. This is often due to the following reasons:

• The aircraft is not equipped with an ELT
• The ELT was not reported to the FOCA accordingly (whereby it was not registered in the SAR database)
• Changes in details (for e.g. emergency address, change of ownership of the aircraft) were not reported to the FOCA

The FOCA strongly recommends that all aircraft operators install a 406 MHz ELT.

The FOCA further emphasizes that it is the responsibility of the aircraft operator to ensure that the ELT is in good working condition and has been correctly installed and maintained by a specialist company or in accordance with EASA SIB 2019-09.

The information in the ELT database must be kept up to date. Data or changes should be reported immediately to the FOCA using the form “Application for 406 MHz - SWISS ELT Registration (PDF, 373 kB, 22.04.2025)”.

Further information

• Publications