ELT types and how each activates
Five ELT types (TC AIM SAR 3.2):
| Type | Name | Activation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A or AD | Automatic ejectable / automatically deployable | Ejects from aircraft. Fires on inertia sensors sensing crash deceleration along flight axis | Expensive. Seldom used in GA |
| F or AF | Fixed / automatic fixed | Inertia switch under crash deceleration | Fixed in aircraft. Most GA aircraft carry this type |
| AP | Automatic portable | Same as F/AF | Built-in antenna. Carried, used portably |
| P | Personal | Never automatic. Manual switch only | No fixed mounting |
| W or S | Water-activated / survival | Fires automatically on immersion | Waterproof. Floats. No fixed mounting. Tether to survivors or life raft |
- Pre-flight: set F/AF switch to ARM, not ON; ARM is needed to fire automatically (TC AIM SAR 3.4).
Trap: F or AF with function switch not at ARM will not fire automatically in a crash.
References
- TC AIM SAR 3.2
- TC AIM SAR 3.4