ELT Battery Question
 

I've glanced through 91.207/209 and don't think I saw the answer...

If the ELT battery is past date for replacement, does this ground the airplane?

The date for the ELT battery on an airplane I fly (not my airplane) was 31JAN13, but the new battery hasn't shown up yet.

I believe the answer is 'yes'.

Thanks.

I also think the answer is yes.

You can operate under this provision:


§*91.207 (f)

(10) An aircraft during any period for which the transmitter has been temporarily removed for inspection, repair, modification, or replacement, subject to the following:

Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to...

(10) An aircraft during any period for which the transmitter has been temporarily removed for inspection, repair, modification, or replacement, subject to the following:

(i) No person may operate the aircraft unless the aircraft records contain an entry which includes the date of initial removal, the make, model, serial number, and reason for removing the transmitter, and a placard located in view of the pilot to show “ELT not installed.”

(ii) No person may operate the aircraft more than 90 days after the ELT is initially removed from the aircraft;

As FlyerJosh notes, there are provisions of 91.207 that can permit legal operation of the aircraft. However, if you don't see a placard in accordance with these regulations, I would suggest you abstain from flying it until you can make sure the aircraft is airworthy.

Do you know who performs maintenance on the aircraft? If so, I would recommend you bring the situation to the mechanic's attention. Otherwise, point out your concern to the owner/operator of the plane.

Above all, protect yourself by being a smart Pilot in Command. Years ago I had a coworker (CFI) take a 152 up with a student when the transponder was past inspection. He thought he was okay because: 1. the airspace didn't require an operable transponder and 2. he left it in the "off" position throughout the flight. A few weeks later a pair of FAA Inspectors showed up at our flight school doing a random check of our fleet's airworthiness/maintenance records/etc. Long story short, my coworker got into a little trouble with the feds.

You never know just when a minor maintenance issue could cause problems, so don't knowingly put yourself in a tight spot. Wait to fly that plane until you've made sure everything's legal.

Looking for a pilot job? Check out my Facebook Page.

Your question is one of continued airworthiness. This information is usually found in the manufacturers maintenance instructions, though may also be found in the installation paperwork, or supplementary documents when modified by STC. The replacement date for the ELT, however, only becomes mandatory under manufacturers maintenance instructions when cited as an airworthiness limitation, or when mandated by an airworthiness directive.

Manufacturers recommended battery replacement intervals are just that; they are not mandatory. One should bear in mind that battery life is dependent on use and on environmental conditions. A battery in a warm environment will not last as long as one in a cold environment.

§ 91.207 Emergency locator transmitters.
(c) Batteries used in the emergency locator transmitters required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section must be replaced (or recharged, if the batteries are rechargeable)—

(1) When the transmitter has been in use for more than 1 cumulative hour; or

(2) When 50 percent of their useful life (or, for rechargeable batteries, 50 percent of their useful life of charge) has expired, as established by the transmitter manufacturer under its approval.

The new expiration date for replacing (or recharging) the battery must be legibly marked on the outside of the transmitter and entered in the aircraft maintenance record. Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not apply to batteries (such as water-activated batteries) that are essentially unaffected during probable storage intervals.

The regulation prescribes battery replacement (or recharging), but applicable under limitations established through the transmitter manufacturer. In lieu of specific data through the manufacturers approval, however, under Part 91 operations, the responsibility to determine battery replacement intervals falls upon the owner/operator.

The ELT may be removed and the aircraft operated for up to 90 days, as previously described. The ELT may also be retained and the aircraft operated under the judgement of the owner/operator, so long as continued airworthiness limitations aren't prescribed for the battery life limit (50% limit) in the manufacturers maintenance publications.

An example of installation and maintenance instructions from an ELT manufacturer are those for the AmeriKing AK450: http://ameri-king.com/pdf/02%20IM%20...n%20Manual.pdf

Nowhere in the publication from AmeriKing is the expiration date applied. Page 33 does include a statement that "Although not required, we strongly recommend that the batteries be replaced on a yearly basis. After one year of storage at normal temperatures, the cells still over 95% of their original capacity and may be used to power other non-critical electrical devices."

Also do be considered are the maintenance instructions found in 14 CFR 43.13, .15. and .16. These set the standards for inspections and continued maintenance, including establishing a requirement that the work and inspections be done in accordance with current manufacturer data.