Private Pilot Private Practice Exam

Monitoring 121.5 before engine shutdown is the recommended procedure to ensure that the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) has not been activated. The frequency 121.5 MHz is designated as the emergency frequency for civil aviation. When pilots monitor this frequency, they can listen for any signals that may indicate the ELT has been inadvertently activated.

If an ELT has activated, other aircraft and ground station receivers will relay that information, which allows you to take necessary steps to ensure the ELT is reset and not sending an erroneous signal. This proactive measure is crucial for avoiding unnecessary searches and ensuring the integrity of communication with search and rescue operations.

Other procedures, such as conducting a post-flight checklist, testing the ELT after engine start, or notifying the control tower of ELT status, do not provide an immediate and direct method of confirming whether the ELT has been activated just prior to shutdown. Monitoring the emergency frequency offers real-time awareness and is the most effective means to ascertain the ELT status right before concluding the flight.