Search and Rescue Flashcards
Search?
- Operation
- Using available personnel and facilities
- To locate persons in distress.
Rescue?
- Operation
- to retrieve persons in distress
- provide for their initial medical or other needs
- deliver them to a place of safety
Overdue?
- When an aircraft
- is not at a location
- or has taken certain action
- by an expected time
SAR Facility?
- Any facility which
- Maintains and operates an SAR service
- Or can be used in SAR operations
RCC?
Rescue Coordination Center
Rescue Coordination Center?
- Air force or Coast Guard facilities
- Which coordinate
- and conduct
- SAR missions
ELT?
Emergency Locator Transmitter
What is an Emergency Locator Transmitter?
- Radio Transmitter attached to the aircraft
- Operates on its own power source
- on 121.5 and
- 243.0 MHz
What function does an ELT perform in SAR?
- Aids in locating downed aircraft
- By radiating and
- downward sweeping audio tone
- 2-4 times per second
- without human action
INREQ?
Information Request
Information Request?
- Limited communications search
- Request for info
- by AFSS
- about overdue
- VFR/DVFR aircraft
What is an INREQ followed by if the search result is negative?
Alert Notice (ALNOT)
ALNOT?
Alert Notice
Alert Notice?
- Notice from
- AFSS or ARTCC
- For an extensive communications search
- For overdue, unreported, or missing aircraft
Who is an INREQ sent to?
- All ATC facilities and airports
- along the aircraft’s planned route
- from last known position to destination
Who is an ALNOT sent to?
- All ATC facilities and airports
- Within 50 miles of either side
- of the aircraft’s planned route
- From last known position to destination
What are the 3 general responsibilities of the FAA regarding search and rescue?
- Provide emergency service to aircraft in distress
- Initiate SAR procedures
- Attempt to locate aircraft
What are the 2 general methods by which the FAA can attempt to locate aircraft?
- ATC system
2. VFR flight plan program
What 2 types of aircraft is the ARTCC responsible for regarding SAR?
- IFR aircraft
2. Special VFR aircraft
What does the ARTCC do regarding ELT’s in SAR?
Receives ELTs
ARTCCs are responsible for the ___ portion of a ___ flight plan.
IFR portion of VFR flight plan
What type of aircraft are AFSSs responsible for regarding SAR?
VFR aircraft
Aircraft without filed flight plans
AFSSs are responsible for the ___ portion of a ___ flight plan.
VFR portion of IFR flight plan
RCC?
Rescue Coordination Center
When is a VFR Aircraft considered overdue?
- 30 mins after ETA
2. Communications or location cannot be established
In the event a VFR aircraft is overdue, what does AFSS do?
Initiate a communication search.
When is an aircraft with No Flight Plan considered overdue?
When a reliable source reports it to be at least one hour late at the destination.
What are some possible sources that a “No Flight Plan” Aircraft is overdue?
Family Member
Company
Aircraft owner/operator
In the event a “No Flight Plan” aircraft is found to be overdue, what organization initiates a communication search?
AFSS
When is an IFR aircraft considered overdue? (4 points)
- When communications or radar contact cannot be established
- Any reason to believe the aircraft is overdue
- 30 mins since ETA over reporting point/clearance limit
- 30 mins since the Clearance void time
In the event an aircraft is overdue/unreported, what center must take action?
- overlying center
- where the aircraft
- is first overdue/unreported.
What does the ALNOT contain?
All information about the aircraft to aid in the search
Where is the ALNOT transmitted?
- ATC facilities and
- military base operations
- along the aircrafts route of flight.
Where does the search area extend?
50 miles out from each side on the route of flight
Where does the search area begin?
Last known position of the aircraft.
Where does the search area end?
Aircraft destination
What 2 organizations may extend the SAR area?
RCC
Issuing ATC Facility
How long does an ALNOT remain active?
- Aircraft is found
OR - RCC suspends search
How are ATCTs notified an ALNOT is no longer active?
Via phone
In the event the aircraft is found or RCC suspends search, who transmits the cancellation and with what info?
- Originator of the ALNOT
2. With aircraft location if known
What should an ATC facility do when receiving an ALNOT? (4 points)
Tell:
- Airports the aircraft can land at: Communication search
- Appropriate ATCTs: Notify
- Aircraft in area: Ask to assist in the search
- ALNOT originator: notify of status within 60 mins
If an ATC facility cannot check an airport after receiving an ALNOT for a missing plane, what organization should check it?
Local Law Enforcement
When does the RCC assume responsibility for the search?
- ALNOT search is unsuccessful
- One hour after ALNOT issued
- 30 mins after estimated fuel exhaustion
Pilots may request ______ services over hazardous areas
reporting
What are reporting services?
- Pilots make radio contact every 10 minutes, or over check points
- If no contact after 15 minutes, SAR is initiated
- If a SAR is initiated, INREQ procedures are skipped.
What are the 4 types of hazardous areas?
- Lakes
- Islands
- Mountains
- Swamps
What agency is in charge of overland SAR?
USAF
From what base does the USAF mount SAR for the Continental US?
Tyndall AFB
What agency is responsible for Maritime SAR?
USCG
Where do the USAF and USCG have a join RCC facility?
Hawaii
From what base does the USAF mount SAR for Alaska?
Ft. Richardson
