Mission Aircrew Course Chapter 11 Visual Search Patterns

Mission Aircrew Course Chapter 11: Visual Search Patterns and Procedures (May 2006)

Aircrew Tasks m m m m m O-2022 DEMONSTRATE SCANNING PATTERNS AND LOCATE TARGETS (S) O-2102 DEMONSTRATE PLANNING AND FLYING A ROUTE SEARCH (P) O-2103 DEMONSTRATE PLANNING AND FLYING A PARALLEL TRACK SEARCH (P) O-2104 DEMONSTRATE PLANNING AND FLYING A CREEPING LINE SEARCH (P) O-2105 DEMONSTRATE PLANNING AND FLYING A POINT BASED SEARCH (P) O-2109 ASSIST IN PLANNING AND PERFORMING A ROUTE SEARCH (O) O-2110 ASSIST IN PLANNING AND PERFORMING A PARALLEL TRACK SEARCH (O) O-2112 ASSIST IN PLANNING AND PERFORMING A POINT-BASED SEARCH (O) O-2111/O-2115 ASSIST IN PLANNING AND PERFORMING A CREEPING LINE SEARCH (O) P-2027 DESCRIBE CAP SEARCH PATTERNS (S)

Objectives m Plan and describe how to fly the following search patterns: • • Route (track crawl) {O; 11. 2} Parallel track (sweep) {O; 11. 3} Creeping line {O; 11. 4} Point-based (expanding square and sector) {O; 11. 5 & 11. 6} m Discuss how to plan and fly a Contour search pattern {O; 11. 7}

The “Stupid Check” m “Hey! Wait a minute. This is stupid. ” m Do my headings, waypoints, lat/long coordinates, and distances look sensible m Perform: • After planning • When you start your pattern • Periodically thereafter

Examples m The following examples and worksheets are covered to aid in pre-planning a search pattern m Designed for non-moving map GPS, but include all the information you need to set up the GX 55 m Advantages of pre-planning: • Sets the details of the sortie in your mind • Makes entering data (correctly) into your GPS easier • Allows pilot and observer to concentrate on their primary task by minimizing navaid setup time and reducing confusion

Latitude, Longitude and Distance (and the GPS) m One minute latitude = 1. 0018 nm • Fly one minute north or south, cover one nautical mile width) m (a 1 -nm leg One minute longitude = anywhere from 0. 6572 to 0. 9152 nm in the continental U. S. • Means you’ll have to fly anywhere from 1. 1 – 1. 4 minutes of longitude (east or west) to cover one nautical mile • Not hard to do, but for training we will use one minute = one mile, even though we’ll be flying less than 1 -nm leg widths • To get the relationship in your area, go to http: //jan. ucc. nau. edu/~cvm/latlongdist. php • 1 minute of Longitude = cos(Latitude in Degrees)

Route search pattern Track of missing aircraft Track of search aircraft 1/2 S

Route search example m Assume we’re searching for an aircraft along Highway 46, between Columbus and Greensburg: • Draw the route on the worksheet • Include significant turns in the highway and other identifiers such as towns, airports and major intersections • Search two miles either side of the highway

Route search worksheet example

Flying the Route Search m GPS Data Set up User Waypoints m Enter Route m Use CDI to indicate “S” m Starting Waypoint: BMG m Spacing: 1 nm m Number of Passes: 3 m Start Side: Left m

Route search example QUESTIONS?

Parallel Track search pattern (Grid Search)

Grid search example m Assume aircraft: we’re searching STL #104 -D for a missing • Quarter-grid, 7. 5' x 7. 5‘ • Enter the northeast corner • One nm track spacing • North/South legs • No aircraft assigned to adjacent grids

Grid search worksheet example

Grid search GX 55 m GX 55 Data Type Grid & Sectional: US , STL m Pattern: Parallel Line m Grid: 104 D 2 m Spacing: 1 nm m Direction of Travel: N/S m

Flying the Grid m GPS Data Think ILS Approach. m Keep the Lat/Lon Centered. m Watch for Turn. m Intercept and Track. m Direction of Travel: N/S m Entry Point: NE Corner m m Spacing: 1 nm

Grid search example QUESTIONS?

Creeping Line search pattern Direction of Search s s s

Creeping Line search example m Assume we’re searching for an aircraft along Highway 31: • Draw the route on the worksheet • Start at the intersection of Hwy 31/9 (southeast of Columbus) • Stop at the intersection of Hwy 31/50 (east of Seymour) • Search three miles either side of Hwy 31 • 1 -nm track spacing

Creeping Line search worksheet example

Creeping Line search example (CDI method) m Assume we’re searching for an aircraft along the extended runway centerline of BMG runway 06: • Draw the route on the worksheet • Search 10 nm beyond the end of runway 06 (southwest) • Search three miles either side of the extended centerline • 1 -nm track spacing

Creeping Line search worksheet example (CDI) m GX 55 Data Type Grid & Sectional: US , STL m Pattern: Creeping Line m Starting Waypoint: BMG m Spacing: 1 nm m Direction of Travel: 060º m Leg Length: 3 nm m Start Side: Right m

Flying the Creeping Line search (CDI) m GPS Data Determine Far Waypoint. m Fly to First Crossing Point. m Hit DIRECT TO (draws line). m Circle Back to Entry point. m Use CDI for XTrack. m Use Distance TO for Crossings. m

Creeping Line search example QUESTIONS?

Expanding Square search pattern (second pass rotated 45°) 4 S 2 S 5 S 3 S S 2 S 4 S 3 S 5 S

Expanding Square search example m Assume we’re searching for a missing ultra-light: • Draw the route on the worksheet • Center is a 483 AGL tower approximately 8 nm west of Seymour • Use cardinal headings, starting to the north

Expanding Square search worksheet example m GX 55 Data Type Grid & Sectional: US , STL m Pattern: Expanding Square m Starting Waypoint: N 38º 59´ W 86º m 10´ Spacing: 1 nm m Direction of Travel: 000º m

Sector search pattern S max The pattern and headings are planned in advance S mean Sector search is easier to fly than expanding square This pattern is used when an electronic search has led the crew to a general area to find the exact location visually The pattern provides concentrated coverage near the center of the area

Contour search pattern This is a difficult and dangerous pattern to fly. Requires special training such as the Mountain Flying course.

QUESTIONS?