What is this bit of aircraft equipment for?

[Ayahuasca]

Happened to notice this in one of the overhead luggage compartments of an American Airlines Embraer 170 that they use for island hopping flights.

Looks like some kind of EPIRB type locator beacon. I doubt it the actual 'black box' recorder. Are these standard kit on airliners or something fitted to avoid a Malaysian Airways 777 situation?

[Jos Notstoppen]

Looks like an ELB, (locator). Used once the aircraft has ditched or landed. Should the people have to evacuate to liferafts or leave the scene of the crash. This is taken with them so they can be located. Should be an on/off switch somewhere, some can be activated if immersed in salt water. The cord is so they can be fastened to the liferaft.

They have been used on aircraft for many years.

[TheEnd]

I'd take a guess at it being an "Emergency locator transmitter"

[Ayahuasca]

If it is for use in a life raft, should it not be in a life raft?

[schuey]

They are separate to the life raft/slides as you may crash in a remote location on land but still need it to guide rescue teams.

[anonymous-user]

The large yellow sticker, tells you its an "emergency locator transmitter"

[anonymous-user]

The "ADT 406" model number links you to this information through google.

http://www.elta.fr/index.php/gb/survival/product/p...

[Ayahuasca]

Surviving cabin crew would need considerable presence of mind, not to mention unimpeded access to the specific overhead bin, to retrieve the beacon in the event of evacuating to a life-raft. Doesn't seem a very practical proposition.

[FourWheelDrift]

As long as it isn't ticking it's a factory fitted part of the plane.

[Simpo Two]

Ayahuasca said:

Surviving cabin crew would need considerable presence of mind, not to mention unimpeded access to the specific overhead bin, to retrieve the beacon in the event of evacuating to a life-raft. Doesn't seem a very practical proposition.

Agreed. I'd want two, one in the aeroplane and one in the liferaft.

[pushthebutton]

Ayahuasca said:

Surviving cabin crew would need considerable presence of mind, not to mention unimpeded access to the specific overhead bin, to retrieve the beacon in the event of evacuating to a life-raft. Doesn't seem a very practical proposition.

They do get training and considerable recurrent checking to ensure that their actions in such an event are as second natural as possible: 'they've' already thought of that

Simpo Two said:

Agreed. I'd want two, one in the aeroplane and one in the liferaft.

They've thought of that too.

Edited by pushthebutton on Sunday 18th October 12:38

[Jos Notstoppen]

Good points, normally there are several liferafts including the slides. Bigger aircraft have 2 ELT's

It would also be needed if the aircraft ended up on land, not much good if it was fixed to a liferaft!

Normally it is 1 crewmembers duty to grab the ELT before leaving the aircraft, other crew members are supposed to get other items like 1st aid kits, etc.

The ELT like many things are provided to give survivors every chance possible. If they survived a crash, had to leave the crash site because of some danger then there is a good chance they will be found. Sometimes it is possible to go back into a crashed aircraft to collect items. Even a ditched aircraft can float for a short time.

[Riley Blue]

It looks to me that a screwdriver would be needed to remove that so I'd hazard a guess it's intended to stay where it is.

[twister]

I'd hazard a guess that the screwed down bit is a mounting bracket to stop the ELT rattling around inside the locker, which it can then be removed from by lifting/pulling/twisting/etc.

[Riley Blue]

twister said:

I'd hazard a guess that the screwed down bit is a mounting bracket to stop the ELT rattling around inside the locker, which it can then be removed from by lifting/pulling/twisting/etc.

Having had a closer look, I think you're right - no obvious grab handle or instruction unless the latter is on the locker lid: "Pssst! Don't forget this!"

[pushthebutton]

It's attached to the orange bracket by the black velcro strap with the yellow label on it. The black aerial is folded back on itself and badoings towards you at some speed when you remove the ELT.