ELT inspection

[Eric]

I know the ELT has to be inspected every 12 calendar months, and the battery has to be replaced after 1/2 its life (as noted by the expiration sticker on the ELT) or one hour in use.

Checking the logs of one of our planes, I noted an entry regarding the battery replacement date, but not an actual inspection. I asked our mechanic about this, and he said that he always inspects them in the annual and that its signoff was covered by the annual signoff.

Is this true, or should there be a separate ELT inspection entry?

Thanks again,
Eric

 

[great cornholio]

Ive always seen the ELT inspection as a seperate entry. But I dont know if counting it just under the Annual is wrong. Is there any kind of wording the the Annual sign off that mentions the ELT inspecton?

 

[avbug]

ELT inspection is part of the annual inspection, and is inclusive in the signoff for the aircraft. When an inspector signs off an aircraft for a completed annual inspection, and then signs that the aircraft is found airworthy, he or she is stipulating that the aircraft meets all airworthiness requirements, including specific inspections, AD's, etc.

Any discrepancies are noted, with a list of the discrepancies provided to the owner, if the owner does not wish the inspector to correct them. In such a case, the aircraft may only be released if it is airworthy according to all approved data...otherwise, the annual inspection may be completed and signed off, but no signoff issued to stipulate that the aircraft has been found airworthy.

Generally the ELT inspection is part of the checklist that is required to be used in the annual inspection. The checklist may be a manufacturers list, company list, or one of the making of the mechanic/inspector, but in every case, it must meet the full scope of Appendix D to Part 43. An ELT typically falls under Paragraph H of Appendix D.

If an ELT battery is due for replacement based on time in use or callendar time at the time of an annual inspection, it must be replaced before the inspector may sign the aircraft as being found airworthy, if an ELT is required (or installed).

If the ELT battery is not due for replacement, the mechanic inspector need only verify that it's within it's currency. If the ELT will expire in two months, the inspector may still approve the aircraft for return to service, and the ELT will require a specific entry in two months when the battery is replaced.

If work is performed following an annual inspection, logbook entries (as appropriate) must be made. These must include the scope and detail of what was accomplished or done to the aircraft, and should include the references to approved data for each item of work performed. These entries should also include name, date, signature, and certificate number of the approving authority.

If the ELT has been replaced, it must be noted as such, as well as a notation of when it is next due. If it has merely been inspected, no specific notation must be made as to this fact, separate from recording that an annual inspection (or 100 hour inspection, which is identical in scope to an annual inspection) has been performed.

One should note that an annual inspection does not include any work. It doesn't include corrective action, servicing, repairs, or any work beyond inspecting. Any work necessary may be perfomed at the time of the annual inspection, by agreement between the inspecting party and the owner/operator, but it's a separate function. Therefore, never assume that because an annual has been done, that any work will be done on the aircraft. It's not part of the requirement of the inspector, and any work performed coincidental to the inspection is just that.