Which beacon type is aviation in use?

Which beacon type is aviation in use?

• A. EPIRB
• B. ELT
• C. PLB
• D. GPS beacon

Answer: (B)

Aviation relies on the Emergency Locator Transmitter on board aircraft. An ELT is specifically designed to activate automatically after a crash or when the crew manually triggers it, broadcasting a distress signal that helps search-and-rescue locate the aircraft quickly. Modern ELTs transmit on 406 MHz to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system with a unique aircraft identifier, and many also emit on 121.5 MHz to assist rescuers in homing in on the beacon. This setup is standardized for aviation and required by aviation authorities, which is why it’s the beacon type used in the air. EPIRBs are for maritime use, PLBs are for personal outdoor use, and a GPS beacon isn’t a distinct aviation beacon type—GPS information is typically included as part of the 406 MHz signal rather than representing a separate category.

Aviation relies on the Emergency Locator Transmitter on board aircraft. An ELT is specifically designed to activate automatically after a crash or when the crew manually triggers it, broadcasting a distress signal that helps search-and-rescue locate the aircraft quickly. Modern ELTs transmit on 406 MHz to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system with a unique aircraft identifier, and many also emit on 121.5 MHz to assist rescuers in homing in on the beacon. This setup is standardized for aviation and required by aviation authorities, which is why it’s the beacon type used in the air. EPIRBs are for maritime use, PLBs are for personal outdoor use, and a GPS beacon isn’t a distinct aviation beacon type—GPS information is typically included as part of the 406 MHz signal rather than representing a separate category.