FAA AMT (Aviation Maintenance Technician) Airframe Practice Exam

An emergency locator transmitter (ELT) is a device used to transmit a distress signal in the event of a plane crash. The battery of an ELT is essential as it powers the transmitter, allowing for search and rescue teams to locate the crash site. While a battery life of 24 hours (A) may seem like a sufficient amount of time, it is not guaranteed that rescue teams will be able to locate and reach the crash site within that time frame. 72 hours (C) and 96 hours (D) may seem like a better option, but they are not the minimum requirement. In emergency situations, every minute counts, and a battery life of 48 hours (B) ensures that the transmitter can continue to transmit its distress signal for an extended period, increasing the chances of being located and rescued. Therefore, the correct minimum battery life for an ELT is 48 hours.