GPS integrated ELT system

A system for locating a downed aircraft, the system comprising:

• (a) a receiver on said aircraft for receiving position information, latitude and longitude, from a GPS satellite or Loran system;
• (b) an ELT information package on said aircraft comprising:
• (i) processing means for receiving said position information;
• (ii) storage means for storing said position information;
• wherein said storage means comprises a static random access memory chip adapted to store updated position information from said processing means;
• wherein said static random access memory chip comprises two locations for storing said position information received from said processing means;
• wherein updated position information is alternately stored in said two locations;
• (iii) transmitting means for transmitting an emergency signal comprising said position information upon activation of said transmitting means.

Self-contained apparatus comprising:

• (a) processing means for receiving position information from a GPS satellite or Loran system;
• (b) storage means for storing said position information;
• wherein said storage means comprises a static random access memory chip including two locations for storing position information;
• wherein updated position information is alternately stored in said two locations;
• (c) EPROM chip for storing identification information;
• (d) transmitting means for transmitting an emergency signal comprising said position information upon activation of said transmitting means;
• (e) battery means for powering said apparatus.

A system for locating a person requiring assistance, the system comprising:

• (a) a receiver to be carried by said person for receiving position information, latitude and longitude, from a GPS satellite or Loran system;
• (b) an ELT information package carried by said person comprising:
• (i) processing means for receiving said position information;
• (ii) storage means for storing said position information;
• wherein said storage means comprises a static random access memory chip adapted to store updated position information from said processing means;
• wherein said memory chip comprises two locations for storing said position information;
• wherein updated position information is alternately stored in said two locations;
• (iii) transmitting means for transmitting an emergency signal comprising said position information upon activation of said transmitting means.

A method for locating an aircraft in the event said aircraft is downed, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a receiver on said aircraft for receiving position information, latitude and longitude, from a broadcasting source;
• (b) providing an ELT information package on said aircraft;
• wherein said ELT package includes:
• (i) processing means for receiving said position information;
• (ii) storage means for storing said position information;
• wherein said storage means comprises a static random access memory chip adapted to store updated position information from said processing means;
• wherein said memory chip comprises two locations for storing said position information;
• wherein updated position information is alternately stored in said two locations;
• (iii) transmitting means for transmitting an emergency signal comprising said position information upon activation of said transmitting means;
• and
• (c) monitoring for said emergency signal.