FAA Ground School Practice Test

Which type of situations are ELTs designed to respond to?

1. All inflight emergencies

2. Only landings

3. Accidents resulting in a crash

4. Technical failures during flight

The correct answer is: Accidents resulting in a crash

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are specifically designed to activate and emit distress signals in the event of an aircraft accident that results in a crash. They serve a critical role in search and rescue operations by helping to locate downed aircraft quickly, thereby saving lives and facilitating recovery. ELTs automatically activate upon impact or can be manually activated by the pilot in the event of an emergency. Their design and purpose are centered on responding to crashes, making them fundamentally focused on situations where an aircraft either lands unexpectedly in a non-intended location or is involved in a serious incident leading to the need for rescue services. While ELTs are not intended for all inflight emergencies, such as technical malfunctions or issues that do not lead to a crash, they are essential during the most severe situations involving safety and survival after an impact.