1. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 1 What can I do to help Search & Rescue find me if I go down?

2. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 2 Agenda Why airplanes crash What you can do How Civil Air Patrol searches About CAP

3. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 3 Why Airplanes Crash > 80% are pilot error –VFR into IMC –Fuel exhaustion –Spatial disorientation and hypoxia –Exceeding aircraft or pilot capabilities: terrain, weight, get-there-itis Mechanical failure is relatively rare

4. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 4 Your Tasks Don’t crash If you crash, survive the crash! Get the search started Make it easy for us to find you Stay with the plane! Survive until we find you

5. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 5 Starting the Search IFR & drop off radar – immediate, sometimes… MAYDAY – immediate Squawk 7700 – immediate (trick: back 2, back 3) “Reported Missing” – immediate ELT – after 2 satellite passes (2-6 hours) or high- flyers report or local repeaters *only until 2009* VFR flight plan – close time + 30 min + ALNOT (ramp check, ~1 hr) VFR flight following – not! No flight plan – whenever reported missing 

6. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 6 Narrow the search area Flight plan – not “direct” unless at 18,000. Give mountain pass names. List fuel stops. Give Local and Destination Contacts. Turn on your transponder Mayday call – give location Position Reports Modify flight plan in the air if you change route or fuel stops Clues…

7. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 7 Stay with the plane Sit. Hug a tree. SIT. STAY! Turn on the ELT Use the plane – shelter, tires & fuel for fire, metal for signal mirror… Easier to find the plane than you Increases your survival chance

8. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 8 Finding You Cell phone Turn on your ELT – leave it on! Hand-held radio or a/c radios Visual clues –Signal mirror –Hunter orange clothes –Un-natural shapes in snow or on ground –Streamers – bright colors, movement –Build a fire – smoke and fire both visible

9. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 9 Survive until we find you Take a Survival Course! Always carry a survival kit Take a First Aid course – medical “golden hour” Dress for the weather (not shorts in March) 3 / 3 / 3 Rule – shelter, water, food Tarps, garbage bags, wool clothes Fire starter, knife, water Signal mirror, whistle, hand-held radio NOT a compass – stay put.

10. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 10 How CAP searches CAP works under the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center – AFRCC Your Tax $$ - victim is not billed

11. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 11 Mayday, IFR, ELT Position known within 5-30 miles Concentrate heavily on that area 2-3 aircraft, ground teams

12. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 12 Unclosed or No Flight Plan Last Known Position (fuel stops!) Fly route search – direct or over passes? Radar data? Weather data, did they get a weather briefing? Interviews: –Anyone seen or heard plane –Flying buddies -- pilot habits Grid search for 10-14 days Clues…

13. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 13 Obligatory Preaching Check 121.5 after landing – call FSS 98% false alarms! Check your ELT and change your batteries Upgrade to 406 ELT File a flight plan – better to forget to close it than not have one Do position reports (and Pireps ) Mountain flying training to predict downdrafts Within weight & balance Within your limits (IMSAFE, ACES) Join CAP

14. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 14 What is CAP? Volunteer Auxiliary of the US Air Force Search for Missing Aircraft, and others on request Aerospace Education Cadet Program Need Dedicated People Best Kept Secret

15. June 12, 2002Is it… Safe, Smart, Legal?Copyright © Susan Wolber 2002 15 Ask Yourself on Every Flight If I crash: Would anyone know where to look for me? Do I have on-board what it takes to survive and get found?