FAA Ground School Practice Test

What should be done after a formal ELT test is completed?

1. Leave it powered on

2. Deactivate it immediately

3. Notify air traffic control

4. Log it in the flight manual

The correct answer is: Deactivate it immediately

After a formal Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) test is completed, the correct procedure is to deactivate it immediately. This is crucial because an ELT is designed to be activated only in emergency situations, and leaving it powered on can lead to confusion or misinterpretation of signals among air traffic control and other aircraft. Prolonged signals from an ELT that are not related to an actual emergency can divert resources and attention away from genuine distress situations, potentially putting lives at risk. In regard to the other choices, leaving the ELT powered on would cause unnecessary alarm. Notifying air traffic control is not required after a test unless it mistakenly transmits a distress signal during the test. Logging the test in the flight manual is not a standard procedure; although record-keeping is important, it is secondary to ensuring the ELT is off to prevent false signals. The immediate deactivation is a key step to ensuring that the ELT remains ready for genuine emergencies and does not interfere with aviation operations.