1. CIVIL AIR SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION
PILOT TRAINING COURSE
Phase 5
In-Flight Procedures

2. Pilot Responsibility
The CASARA Pilot has the ultimate responsibility for the safety and well-being of the crew
Any actions or decisions made by any crew member that may affect the safety of the crew or may affect the objective of the mission, need to be known to the pilot
In flight, the pilot makes the final decision

3. Communication
The CASARA Pilot should normally handle all radio communications with ATC, Search Headquarters or any other aircraft
In some flight crew situations, the navigator may use the radio only by mutual agreement with the pilot such as sending a NOCL message
Inter-crew communications should be kept to a minimum and should cease if anything is heard on the aircraft radio

4. Spotter Distance Briefing
Prior to commencing the actual search, the pilot or navigator should review with the spotters, the scanning range and search object details
An identifiable object or landmark on the ground on each side of the aircraft should be selected to demonstrate the scanning range for each spotter

5. Spotter Call Around
Prior to beginning a search, the CASARA Pilot should emphasize to the spotters to be assertive in calling the aircraft around if any possible target is seen
All other crew communications should cease if a spotter is calling the aircraft around
Only the spotter who saw the target and the pilot should communicate at this time

6. Spotter Rest Being a spotter is a tiring job
The pilot should allow the spotters to rest their eyes at every possible opportunity
If instructed by Search Headquarters to make turns outside the assigned search area, take advantage of that opportunity to rest spotter eyes
An occasional 360º turn or two during your search is acceptable for spotter rest

7. Search Track Deviations
As your navigator periodically marks your location along your search tracks, there may be occasions where a deviation has been made with loss of coverage
The pilot and navigator need to decide if a backtrack is necessary or the missed area can be covered on the next pass
Any assigned search areas missed should be identified to Search Headquarters

8. Aircraft Retasking
While training or during an actual search, your aircraft may be sent to another location using a different search pattern
Once your navigator has given the pilot the new heading, ask your spotters to rest
Prior to beginning a new tasking, the pilot will have to brief the crew on the new search object, search pattern, altitude and distance
Search Headquarters should be advised of start time “on scene” as well as your revised Bingo time

9. Target Sighted
If a probable target has been sighted, the aircraft crew will communicate a NOCL to Search Headquarters or JRCC
Remain over the target until a rescue party arrives, your Bingo time is up or as directed by Search Headquarters or JRCC
You may be able to communicate with the search object, a ground or air rescue crew and provide directions or relay radio calls

10. NOCL (Notice of Crash Location)

11. Notice of Crash Location Form

12. NOCL Message Format Refer to inside back cover of CASARA Handbook
ALPHA
Affirmative - positive identification that the object sighted is the search object or
Negative - unable to positively determine that the object is the search object

13. NOCL Message Format BRAVO
An eight or nine digit group denoting latitude and longitude position without north or west being used
Read over the radio in continuous single numbers
Bravo

14. NOCL Message Format CHARLIE
Negative - when no survivors or casualties can be seen
Number - any number of survivors or casualties actually seen, followed by:
Undetermined - when the status of the survivors or casualties cannot be determined
Red - Immediate treatment and evacuation (priority 1)
Yellow - Early treatment and evacuation (priority 2)
Green - Routine treatment and evacuation (priority 3)
Blue - Deferred treatment and evacuation (priority 4)
White - Uninjured
Grey - Missing
Black - Dead

15. NOCL Message Format DELTA
ONE - side of hill, also indicate N,S, E or W slope
TWO - in valley, also indicate N, S, E or W side of valley floor
THREE - in level country
FOUR - heavily wooded area (can be used with one, two or three)
FIVE - in water: ALPHA - near shore BRAVO - well off shore

16. NOCL Message Format ECHO
ONE - request authorization to deploy SAR Techs
TWO - a helicopter will be required
THREE - a ground party could reach the location in good time
FOUR - a rescue boat will be required

17. NOCL Message Format FOXTROT
Remarks - Briefly provide any detail which will allow JRCC to initiate appropriate action , bearing in mind that the transmission is not secure
For example:
inform how long you can remain on the scene
request an ETA for onscene of SAR aircraft or relief aircraft

18. Crash Location
if you can, hold an altitude higher than SAR Rescue aircraft to provide a homing target
provide whatever assistance you are able to give when requested
all other aircraft remain on assigned task

19. CASARA Handbook
CASARA Handbook is invaluable for all phases of SAR operations and training. The NOCL message is on the back cover of the CASARA Handbook.

20. In-Flight Procedures
End of Phase 5