66 Aircraft Tracking
AUSTRALIAN FLYING January - February 2015a consumer’s choice comes down
to reliability in a true emergency
situation. A PLB operates on the
COSPAS SARSAT global search
and rescue satellite system. This is
a dedicated, not for profit, global
satellite search and rescue system
with a mission to provide accurate,
timely and reliable distress alert
and location data to help search
and rescue authorities reach
persons in distress.
“In an emergency situation, a
GPS-equipped PLB or EPIRB
is the most reliable means of
communicating your location
to rescue authorities, from
absolutely anywhere in the
world. In contrast, an electronic
tracking system is a messaging
device with auxiliary emergency
features. These operate through
privately-owned networks
and require a subscription to
be paid. They are great for
tracking progress and for limited
communication outside of cellular
networks, but there are some
weaknesses in these systems that
limit their effectiveness in certain
circumstances.
“PLBs utilise a long-life battery
which delivers years of reliability.
In the case of GME’s MT410G,
the battery has a life of seven
years. The PLB is held in an “off ”
state–apart from when performing
the recommended monthly test
procedure–and as such the batteryABOVE: DeLorme inReach
Explorer mounted on the
windscreen of a Cessna 421.
RIGHT: Most tracking systems
for GA aircraft are hardly
larger than a mobile phone or
hand-held GPS.
OPPOSITE PAGE: An ADS-B
ground station at Broome, WA.DELORMEROCK SEVEN