Observer Scanner Training by 1 st Lt. Alan Fenter

Level II Technician Rating Purpose of this course Increase the skills and knowledge of the interested scanner to become a mission observer

Level II Technician Rating This course will cover… Search Planning Electronic Search Navigation assistance Navigation elements Grid system for locating positions Navigation aids ADF and VOR devices Communication Techniques Non-Verbal Signals Weather conditions Aircraft Familiarity

Level II Technician Rating Section 1: Conducting a Search Objective: Describe basic scanning procedures during a search and rescue mission

Level II Technician Rating Scanning The scanner should pause each three or four degrees of lateral or vertical distance. This is known as Fixation. This pattern should be used at a rate which covers about 10 degrees per second. At side windows or waist positions, eye movements are directed away from the aircraft to the effective visibility range and then back toward the aircraft to a point under the aircraft which can be seen comfortably.

Level II Technician Rating Routine Scanning Pattern Minimum effective range Maximum effective range Flight Path 10° 4°4°

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding The scanner uses an eye movement pattern that allows ____________________ Systematic Scanning

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding During scanning, a pause every three or four degrees of lateral distance is known as getting a ________________ Fixation

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding This search pattern should cover _____ degrees per second A. 4 B. 5 C. 7 D

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Eye movements from the aircraft to the edge of visibility range and back toward the plane is the most effective method when the scanner is seated at ___________________ Side Windows

Level II Technician Rating Section 2 Objective: Discuss the need for fixations in night searches, the clock position for reporting sightings, and list some common accident signs

Level II Technician Rating Night Searches Scanners have fewer fixations at night Distress victims more likely to use fire, flares, or lights for signals Scanner should use the routine scan pattern regardless of day or night

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Light colored or shiny objects Sunlight reflections on Metal People Distress Signals Blackened or burned areas Broken tree branches Fresh or bare earth Discolored water or snow Tracks or movement patterns in snow, grass, sand, etc Excessive bubbles in the water Oil slicks, floating debris, or rafts on water Deep furrows in snow Any other abnormalities in the environment

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Light colored or shiny objects Sunlight reflections on Metal

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Blackened or burned areas

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Broken tree branches

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Fresh or bare earth Discolored water or snow

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Tracks or movement patterns in snow, grass, sand, etc

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Excessive bubbles in the water Oil slicks, floating debris, or rafts on water

Level II Technician Rating This is if you’re lucky…..

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Any other abnormalities in the environment

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Most of the time, it’s not all that easy to spot

Level II Technician Rating Sightings Wooded areas add more difficulty Aircraft Tail

Level II Technician Rating Ouch

Level II Technician Rating Crash site at 100 mph….

Level II Technician Rating no it’s not the white area…

Level II Technician Rating Reporting the Sighting

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Why are fewer fixations necessary in night search patterns? The scanner would be looking for Contrasts. For example, Lights, fires, or flares would eliminate the need to concentrate on making numerous eye fixations.

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Name 10 common accident signs for which to look while scanning.

Level II Technician Rating Common Accident Signs Light colored or shiny objects Sunlight reflections on Metal People Distress Signals Blackened or burned areas Broken tree branches Fresh or bare earth Discolored water or snow Tracks or movement patterns in snow, grass, sand, etc Excessive bubbles in the water Oil slicks, floating debris, or rafts on water Deep furrows in snow Any other abnormalities in the environment

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding In the clock position used for reporting locations of sightings, where would the following time be in relation to the aircraft? A. 12 O’Clock _________ B. 3 O’Clock _________ C. 6 O’Clock _________ D. 9 O’Clock _________ Nose Tail Left Wing Right Wing

Level II Technician Rating Section 3: Objective: Match each term relating to probability of detection with it’s meaning

Level II Technician Rating Terminology Maximum area of Possibility Probability area Sweep Width Search Visibility Track Spacing Search Altitude

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Large circle with center representing the last known position of the aircraft AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Geographic area where the missing aircraft is most likely to be AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Maximum visual range at which a sighting can be detected from a search aircraft’s flight pattern AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding The distance at which an object can be seen and recognized at the height the search aircraft is flying AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Distance between adjacent search areas AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Height aircraft flies above ground during a search AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Above ground level symbol AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding Last known position symbol AGLLKP Possibility AreaProbability Area Search AltitudeSearch Visibility Sweep WidthTrack Spacing

Level II Technician Rating Section 4 Objective: Given certain facts, determine the single search probability of detection (POD) and the cumulative search POD.

Level II Technician Rating Cumulative Probability of Detection 5-10% % % % % % % % % %11-20%21-30%31-40%41-50%51-60%61-70%71-80%80+%

Level II Technician Rating Section 5: Objectives: Describe how mission observers can help pilots with their primary responsibilities. Describe the search advantages of having observers on board and list the fatigue-reducing tips.

Level II Technician Rating Mission Observer Duties Involvement with other SAR members Provide pilot with Navigational and Radio assistance Other duties as specified by the PIC, such as reading the checklist when asked

Level II Technician Rating Fatigue Reducing Tips Change Scanning Positions if possible every 30 min. to 1 hour Rotate Scanners from side to side Clean aircraft windows Scan through open hatches when feasible

Level II Technician Rating Fatigue Reducing Tips Keep lights to a minimum at night to reduce reflections Allow a reasonable amount of communication between crew members Use binoculars to aid in sighting verification Permit on/off periods if enough scanners are on board

Level II Technician Rating Mission Observer Advantages Greater Safety Assists with Management of Responsibilities Familiarity with various phases of overall operation Greatly assists the Mission Pilot

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding What two types of assistance can the observers give to the pilots that will enable the pilots to concentrate on their primary responsibility? Radio and Navigation

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding What are three search advantages of having a mission observer on board? Greater Safety Assistance with management responsibilities Overall familiarity of operations

Level II Technician Rating Check for Understanding List 6 fatigue-reducing tips Change Scanning Positions if possible every 30 min. to 1 hour Rotate Scanners from side to side Clean aircraft windows Scan through open hatches when feasible Keep lights to a minimum at night to reduce reflections Allow a reasonable amount of communication between crew members Use binoculars to aid in sighting verification Permit on/off periods if enough scanners are on board

Level II Technician Rating