In-House Environmental Testing

Environmental Tests for ELT Certification

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are designed and tested according to RTCA DO-204 and the rigid environmental testing standards of RTCA DO-160. ELTs have to survive extreme environmental conditions during the crash of an aircraft and still perform their intended function of alerting Search and Rescue.

Horizontal Shock Machine	Free Fall Shock Test System
500 G @ 4mS & 100 G @ 23mS Shock Test These tests verify that the equipment will continue to function within performance standards after exposure to shocks experienced during a crash.  Consequently, Artex has at its disposal two devices to replicate the requirements.
	Temperature Variation This dynamic test determines the performance characteristics of the equipment during normal temperature variations experienced at high and low operating extremes during flight operations. Consequently, Artex utilizes three Test Equity chambers to replicate the requirements.
	Post-Crash Immersion This test determines the performance characteristics of the equipment when immersed more than three feet below the surface of a salt water solution. Artex has at its disposal a temperature controlled tank to facilitate these tests.
	Impact This test verifies that the equipment will continue to function within performance standards after the exposure from an Impactor attached to a total mass of 55 Lbs (25 kg) dropped from 5.90 inches (15 cm).
	Humidity This tests verifies that the equipment will continue to function after being subjected to accelerated high humidity and heat conditions typical of either natural or induced atmospheres. Artex uses a Test Equity chamber to replicate this environment.
	Altitude This test is to confirm that the ELTs will continue to function during the maximum operating altitude of the aircraft.
	Overpressure The intent of this test is to verify that the equipment will continue to function within performance standards during overpressures resulting from routine aircraft pressurization testing.
	Flame ELTs are required to function within performance standards after an exposure of 15 seconds from a fire source created from Avgas (100LL). These tests always draw a crowd.