ELT programming with its aircraft code and registration near authorities is important and mandatory because it allows direct identification of aircraft, and so reduce search and rescue delay arrival !

When programmed and registered, search and rescue teams knows directly who to contact to determine if the alert is real or not (99% of the cases). All of these contribute to maintain the search and rescue system performances.

If it is not the case, the time necessary to identify the alert will delay the rescue arrival, and the alert could simply be ignored !

To correctly program your ELT, you can use the appropriate programming tools listed here after.

Remember than registration near authorities of the ELT programming is the responsability of the aircraft operator. See at the bottom of the page for more information.

Programming tools

Programming manuals are available on demand and are included with the programmers at delivery. ELT programmers existing are :

1. ELT96A9800000004 : Improvement of -003 model. Smaller, always needs a computer for programming (MS Windows), but directly uses USB/USB cable and is self powered. Designed to be used with all 406Mhz ELT range, and all protocols.

1. AP55400 : ELT961DGL immatriculation dongle programmer, similar to ELT96A9800000004.

1. ELT96A9800000003 : No longer manufactured. This model needs a computer for programming (MS Windows), and is delivered with software and USB/RS232 converter. It includes a 9V battery.

With original software, do only the « user protocol, aircraft marking » (including “-“ character). Can be upgraded with ELT96A9800000004-SW software. 

1. ELT96A9800000000/001 :  Obsolete. Oldest model. Autonomous. Does not calculate hexadecimal codes. Do only the « user protocol, aircraft marking ». “-“ character not available.

^(*1) : Upgraded with ELT96A98000004-SW software

^(*2) : These tools will only be capable of programming and read an ELT registration with “user protocol, aircraft marking”. To use to other protocols, replace or update your programmer.

^(*3) : Works, but not recommended due to some limitations of 9V battery power supply.

ELT REGISTRATION

Contact your national agency responsible for initiating SAR (or other nominated agency).

Else, you may be able to register your ELT within COSPAS-SARSAT in the International 406 Mhz Beacon Registration Database (free of charge).

You can register your beacon on the following websites :

1. French aircrafts : https://registre406.cnes.fr/
2. US aircrafts : http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/
3. Australian aircrafts : http://www.amsa.gov.au/beacons
4. Canadian aicrafts : http://www.canadianbeaconregistry.forces.gc.ca/
5. All other users : see your national agency, else http://www.406registration.com/

The minimum information required to register an ELT is :

1. Beacon hexadecimal ID,
2. Owner name and phone number,
3. Emergency contact name and phone number,
4. Vehicle Type (selectable form a menu),
5. Vehicle Name or identification number.

If you can't register your ELT on the websites, you may fill and send paper registration forms. Registrations forms for many countries can be found in C/S S.007 document or from your national authority;

Registration is the responsability of the aircraft operator.

Register your beacon in the country of the aircraft registration.

To find your point of contact, see the COSPAS/SARSAT A.001 appendix I/C and I/F document.

Usefull COSPAS-SARSAT documents

COSPAS-SARSAT documents mentioned in this document are freely available on the website of this organization :

1. Handbook of regulations C/S S.007
2. Specifications for C/S beacons C/S T.001
3. Guidelines on beacon coding C/S G.005
4. Data distribution plan C/S A.001