ELiTe / Automatic fixed and Survival Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)

A trust built over the years

Exail has become a world leader with more than 30 000 ELTs installed since 1992. Since then ELTs have constantly evolved. Technological developments and recent missing aircrafts have pushed the industry to come up with improved solutions. Exail confirms its position as a world leader in Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) with ELiTe, the new generation of aeronautical ELTs and a unique product in terms of locator performances. With the prospect of keeping its major position in commercial aircraft for the coming years, Exail reinforces its leadership in the commercial aviation market.

Installed on aircraft, the Emergency Locator Transmitters ELiTe allows, in case of real distress conditions, the activation of radio frequency signals to alert Search & Rescue (SAR) teams through the COSPAS SARSAT system. The international COSPAS-SARSAT programme provides accurate, timely and reliable distress alert and location datas to help (Search&Rescue) authorities assist persons in distress.

Such equipment is, from now on, compulsory onboard and abide by international aviation standards. Each aircraft must be fitted at least with 2 ELTs:

• One shall be of Automatic type, usually Fixed configuration (installed on primary A/C structure)
• The other one or several others are of Survival / Portable type (installed inside the cabin easily accessible and operated, closed to an exit door)

ELiTe, the latest generation ELT inheriting 20 years of Research & Development and field experience

Thanks to a long expertise and strong know-how in the design of Emergency Locator Transmitter, Exail offers ELiTe, an innovative ELT concept that can be used in both configurations.

1 product for 2 applications

ELiTe is based on an innovative patented concept: only one transmitter for both Automatic Fixed or Survival/Portable Configuration, ensuring implementation security, reliability and simplicity at an efficient cost.

"ELiTe" is granted COSPAS SARSAT type approval for both Automatic Fixed and Survival/Portable applications. ELiTe is compliant with the international standards in terms of minimum operational performances. With one equipment for both applications, ELiTe benefits from a single part number for 2 products making airlines stock and maintenance management far more easier. It thus reduces the cost of ownership.

Ergonomic design, easy installation and optimized maintenance

Inheriting from the first emergency locator transmitters developed in the early 93’s by ELTA, a company now merged into Exail, ELiTe technological breakthrough in localization using Radio Frequency (RF) Transmission, integrate new features to ensure an enhanced ergonomic design, easy installation and optimized maintenance.

Maintenance is made easy thanks to a comprehensive self-test functionality combined to a long-life battery with a lasting capacity of 5 years, when installed in ELiTe. The RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology) allows the mandatory coding information to be independent of the ELT itself, therefore no reconfiguration is needed when the hardware is replaced. Maintenance is thus cost-effective, quick and allows to save critical operational time for airlines.

Enhanced signal transmission capabilities

Dual frequencies antenna is also integrated inside the transmitter package making it more compact and less fragile, while ensuring optimized transmitting capabilities in both Survival/Portable configurations. Furthermore in Automatic Fixed configuration, it offers a back-up transmission solution. After an impact, the damaged cable and/or primary external antenna can greatly affect the transmitting capabilities.

In Automatic Fixed configuration

In this configuration, ELiTe is installed directly on A/C primary structure, placed in the rearmost position (AFT). Its activation can be done both automatically, when an impact is detected (G-Switch Sensor), or manually from a Remote Control Panel (RCP) located in the A/C cockpit. Moreover, it offers a direct link with the aircraft avionics data bus (ARINC 429) for getting additional primary source of A/C localization (latitude & longitude information).

Simple to use and activate, information is accessible anytime upon request on the transmitter LCD screen. ELiTe can be implemented on any aircraft.

In Survival/Portable configuration

In case of aircraft crash, ELiTe, in its survival configuration, can be carried and activated manually by survivors. This compact and lightweight beacon can be carried out by hand to be taken out of the plane.

"ELiTe TRANSMITTER" integrates a GPS receiver. It was the first Survival ELT to be equipped in such a way. ELiTe becomes a second source of localization for the Automatic Fixed Configuration. It also integrates an automatic water-activated system, ensuring the reliability of its activation and the localization of survivors of an aircraft in distress even in case of water landing. In that case, the signal will be automatically activated when in contact with water.

Waterproof, ELiTe is equipped with a floatability system.