Hi,
I am going to get a PLB as I will be doing some “over the water” flying soon (mostly Balearic islands, Spain → Italy and also Canary islands). I wonder if it is a common practice (and it makes sense) to program the Mode S Address that was coded in the ELT of my SR22 into the PLB, or I should just leave it unprogrammed (in the end, it’s “Personal”).
I will use it only in the plane so maybe it’s better that should it be activated, emergency services get information of the plane… but maybe it’s not a good idea or common practice. Any insight on this?
You need to register PLB, your personal details gets attached to it (in case it’s activated inadvertently they will have the contact for the owner)
I don’t think you can attach the aircraft to it? and I am not sure why would one do that as it remains attached to crew in case of water ditch unlike ELT…
People tend to register PLB with UK MRCC as it’s free and takes 15min online
https://www.gov.uk/register-406-beacons
Also read, CAA UK AIC 101/2022
I don’t think it is possible/allowed to program an S mode address into a PLB.
Pay attention to buy the PLB programmed with a number assigned to “your” home country.
See https://www.406registration.com/contact-list for contacts where to register it, depending on the country of the code programmed into it. (Each country decides…)
Next attention, some countries dont allow to use plb as an elt.
Next attention, some countries dont allow to use plb as an elt.
Can you elaborate please? It is the same rule EU wide.
EU 965/2012 (NCO) permits PLB to be used i.s.o. ELT on aircraft up to 6 seats.
Next attention, some countries dont allow to use plb as an elt.
Those AIP entries are outdated by NCO rules, actually, most of them are not even in conflict NAA AIP vs EASA NCO…it’s just that no one is around to update the old AIP text, someone in charge will tell you this when you send them an inquiry email (I suggest you help a bit for a favourable reply to your email by suggesting if ELT is mandatory for non-EASA aircraft according to AIP while PLB should be fine for EASA aircraft according to NCO 
)
lionel wrote:
I don’t think it is possible/allowed to program an S mode address into a PLB.
For some PLB I understood it is possible (or at least used to be possible). I also understood PLB with code is equivalent to a ELT (https://www.icao.int/APAC/Meetings/2014%20APSAR%20TF2/JC-27-0507%20-%20Contribution%20on%20PLBs.pdf)
I currently have a PLB without code but planning to replace it soon with a PLB with code, so I’m about to find out if it actually is possibe and how difficult it is.
Ibra wrote:
People tend to register PLB with UK MRCC as it’s free and takes 15min online
you can if you’re based in UK, if not they complain. After i registered i got following reply:
. . .
The UK database is primarily for the registration of UK encoded beacons which belong to UK Nationals, aircraft, or onboard vessels associated with Red Ensign countries. It is not for use by non-UK Nationals where an existing Registry exists within their own country or provision provided by the International Beacon Registry Database (IBRD). Beacons should be registered with the owners’ country of origin/permanent residence or country relating to the flag of their vessel or aircraft, in accordance with Cospas Sarsat regulations.
. . .
Your beacon should be re-coded & re-registered with your national beacon registry or the IBRD, please advise when done.
. . .
you can if you’re based in UK, if not they complain
Well that’s a shame they changed the rules (I don’t fly G-reg and I am not based in UK but I still have the PLB registered with MRCC)
You can register a beacon anywhere. Nobody can tell where yours is registered. My ELT is registered in the US…
Peter wrote:
You can register a beacon anywhere. Nobody can tell where yours is registered. My ELT is registered in the US…
I think your ELT is registered in the US because you fly a US-registered ship, and your ELT is also programmed with a code whose country code part is one assigned to the USA.
I thought PLBs followed the same rule, but the document linked to by sugarcube seems to indicate that the situation is far more messy.
