Federal Aviation Regulations Practice Test

If an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was last inspected 11 calendar months ago, what can a pilot decide?

1. Depart; the ELT is within inspection requirements

2. Abort the flight until the ELT is inspected

3. Delay the flight until next month's inspection

4. Notify the FAA before flying

The correct answer is: Depart; the ELT is within inspection requirements

When an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) is inspected, FAA regulations stipulate that the inspection must occur every 12 calendar months. If the last inspection was 11 calendar months ago, the ELT is still considered to be within the required inspection period. Therefore, a pilot can make the decision to depart without being in violation of FAA regulations. This decision aligns with regulatory compliance, as the ELT remains operational and meets the necessary standards until the 12-month inspection period elapses. Consequently, delaying the flight or aborting it solely due to the timing of the inspection would not be warranted. It's also not necessary to notify the FAA in this scenario, as the ELT is compliant within its inspection window.