121.5 and ELT's
 

I was (bored) at work this morning listening to the scanner at work and heard an ELT going off (121.5 is included in the scan). Looking up at the clock I noticed that it was just after the start of the hour so I thought nothing of it, it shut off after about a minute. About 15 minutes later I heard another ELT going off and it has now been on for 20 minutes or so. I also heard some garbled transmission that was either to or from a SWA flight.

The question is..Do you guys in the 'big' planes monitor 121.5 or do you leave that to ATC/FSS? If you do, what is your response to a ELT activation or some form of emergency call on 121.5?

If an ELT is reported, ATC will usually ask aircraft in the area to monitor 21.5 to see if they also hear the ELT; in an attempt to narrow down the location of the signal. New ELTs will incorporate a low freq signal much like a marker beacon that will further aid in the location of an aircraft in distress. I believe the freq is 406mhz.

On longer flights I'll monitor 121.5. Many airliners will do so as well. It's pretty amusing some of the things you'll hear on guard. ELT's are actually relatively common... When I was flying for the airlines I'd hear one about once a week or so.

I monitor 121.5, although it's not SOP. Some regionals don't have a enough radios to monitor ATC, company/ACARS, and the guard, but we do. Who knows I might be able to help somebody out someday.

Actually I have been able to assist GA pilots who missed a handoff and were trying to contact ATC on the guard...that happens monthly.