Observer Scanner Training

1. Observer Scanner Training Electronic Searches Section 3 by 1st Lt. Alan Fenter

2. Section 1: • Objective: • Discuss electronic equipment, including the reasons for its survivability, and the way to insure proper search coverage. Level II Technician Rating

3. The Success of ELT’s depend on • Life of the battery • Survivability • Whether or not the unit was armed or not Level II Technician Rating

4. ELT System Level II Technician Rating

5. What does ELT stand for? Check for Understanding Emergency Locator Transmitter Level II Technician Rating

6. On what three factors does the success of electronic searches depend? Check for Understanding • Life of ELT batteries • Survivability of ELT • Whether the unit was turned on or not. Level II Technician Rating

7. What means can be used to insure adequate, thorough coverage during a search? Check for Understanding Use both an electronic search & a general concentrated search Level II Technician Rating

8. Section 2: • Objective: • Given statements concerning the track line pattern, select true ones from false. Level II Technician Rating

9. C ½ SM B ½ SM Track of Missing Aircraft A Electronic Search Patterns • Most effective is the Track Line Search • Flown from 5000 to 10,000 AGL • Successive sweeps should be ½ previous track spacing Level II Technician Rating

10. The track line pattern is most effective during electronic searches. Check for Understanding True Level II Technician Rating

11. Most track line patterns are flown above 10,000 feet. Check for Understanding False, 5000 to 10,000 ft. AGL is the normal altitude for most Track Line Patterns Level II Technician Rating

12. The maximum altitude for receiving an ELT signal is the best for making an electronic search. Check for Understanding False Level II Technician Rating

13. On second and third sweeps during a track line search, the track spacing should be one-third of the preceding sweep. Check for Understanding False Level II Technician Rating

14. The search procedures should be continued until the survivors are found or the batteries are presumed dead. Check for Understanding True Level II Technician Rating

15. Section 3: Homing Searches • Objective: • Define homing and discuss the meaning of the actions of the left-right needle in a directional finding unit during a homing search. Level II Technician Rating

16. ELT Homing Game Level II Technician Rating

17. What does “homing” mean? Check for Understanding Tracking a signal from a distance point to its source. Level II Technician Rating

18. What does a centered left-right needle of a directional finding unit mean in the homing search method? Check for Understanding You are heading directly to or away from the signal source. Level II Technician Rating

19. How can you tell if you are flying directly toward or away from a signal picked up on the DF unit? Check for Understanding Make a 90 degree turn and observe the direction of the needle in relationship to the planes orientation. Level II Technician Rating

20. How does the left-right needle indicate to you that you have just crossed over the target? Check for Understanding You will notice a full scale swing form side to side. Level II Technician Rating

21. If you have been steadily on the signal in a homing search and the needle suddenly drifts to one side and returns to the center, what does this indicate? Check for Understanding Interfering signal Level II Technician Rating

22. Section 4: Signal Null Method • Objective: • Discuss the basis for the null search method, the equipment needed, the procedure itself, and the special considerations in this type of search. Level II Technician Rating

23. 2 Assumptions • Metal wing will block the incoming ELT signal during steep turns • Two or more receptions will provide vectors locating the ELT Level II Technician Rating

24. Null Procedures Altitude 6000 to 9000’ AGL NULL NULL Vector Target Path of Aircraft Reduce Altitude NULL NULL Level II Technician Rating

25. The signal null method is based on what two assumptions? Check for Understanding • Metal wing will block ELT Signal during a steep turn. • Two or more receptions will provide vectors locating the ELT. Level II Technician Rating

26. What special equipment is needed for this method? Check for Understanding A special antenna properly located. Level II Technician Rating

27. What does it mean to say “the signal will null”? Check for Understanding The signal will break or momentarily stop. Level II Technician Rating

28. How many degrees are added to or subtracted from a null signal reading for it to be accurate in locating downed aircraft? Check for Understanding 90 degrees Level II Technician Rating

29. When the approximate location has been determined and the search craft has descended to obtain visual contact, how is the crew able to pinpoint the location within a small area? Check for Understanding More “nulls” and visually Level II Technician Rating

30. What are four special considerations in making a signal null search? Check for Understanding • Crew competent in 360 degree turns. • Knowledge of search aircraft position when null occurs. • When signal is lost-go to last location null occurs. • Approach wreck area with caution. Level II Technician Rating

31. Section 5:Aural Searches • Objective: • Define “aural” and discuss the assumption on which aural searches are based, standard volume during a search, and the problem in pinpointing downed aircraft using this method. Level II Technician Rating

32. Aural Search method Area of equal beacon strength is circular – barely audible in A/C receiver at search altitude Commence Low Alt Pattern Decending SF SH Chord 2 SF Chord 1 Chord 3 SH Level II Technician Rating

33. The aural search is based on what assumption? Check for Understanding Area of equal beacon strength is circular Level II Technician Rating

34. What does “aural” mean? Check for Understanding Audio Level II Technician Rating

35. Of what value is maintaining standard volume during an aural search? Check for Understanding Ensures the signal “heard” and “fade” positions will remain constant. Level II Technician Rating

36. Why are the calculations on pinpointing the location of ELT units only approximate in aural searches? Check for Understanding In actuality, areas of equal signal strength are seldom circular. Level II Technician Rating

37. Section 6: Metered Search • Objective: • Complete statements concerning the metered search method of locating downed aircraft. Level II Technician Rating

38. 8.0 Fades 1.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 4.0 8.0 Fades 6.0 First Signal / 8.0 Metered Searches ELT Level II Technician Rating

39. The meter, in a metered search, measures ____ _____ _______. Check for Understanding ELT Signal Strength Level II Technician Rating

40. To be effective, the metered search must locate two positions where the signals are of _____ _____ _______. Check for Understanding Equal Signal Strength Level II Technician Rating

41. The metered search is carried out by the pilot making turns primarily of ____ degrees until enough information is gathered to plot the location of the downed aircraft. Check for Understanding 180 Level II Technician Rating

42. Section 7: General Conclusions • Objective: • Complete statements concerning various general conclusions about electronic search methods. Level II Technician Rating

43. Level II Technician Rating

44. Electronic searches are most efficient when _________, ___________, and ________ are ideal. Check for Understanding Equipment environment terrain Level II Technician Rating

45. One big problem for search teams for a long time has been ________________. Check for Understanding Signal Reflections Level II Technician Rating

46. During mountainous searches, the pattern should be flown _________ to the valley ridges first, then _____________ to them. Check for Understanding Parallel Perpendicular Level II Technician Rating

47. In looking at a problem in an electronic search, consider equipment reliability, direction finding procedures, and _______ as possible trouble sources. Check for Understanding terrain Level II Technician Rating