LA Series Fixed Aircraft Homer Module 10 of CASARA ELT Training Plan

Air Search La-Series-Homer

A/C External Antennas Permanent Roof mount installation STRENGTHDIRECTION FREQUENCY SENSITIVITY VOLUME ALARM SWITCH-DOWN

FUNCTIONAL CHECK The effectiveness of the electronic homer should be confirmed using a hand held radio on the appropriate frequency. WARNING! USE OF HIGH-POWER TRANSMITTERS CLOSE TO THE DF ANTENNAE CAN DAMAGE THE UNIT. ELT TESTER SHOULD BE KEPT AT LEAST 50 FEET AWAY FROM THE ANTENNAE WHEN USING TO TEST

La-Series FUNCTIONAL CHECK - WITH TRANSMITTER AND ACFT ON THE GROUND FREQ – MHZ SENS - MIN. VOL – MID SCALE ALARM – TOGGLE OFF (DOWN) VOL -ON SENS - ADJUST UNTIL AUDIBLE

FUNCTIONAL CHECK PARK AIRCRAFT IN THE OPEN, AWAY FROM METAL BUILDINGS WITH TRANSMITTER AT LEAST 50 FEET IN FRONT OF AND DEGREES TO ONE SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT. DF NEEDLE SHOULD POINT TOWARD THE TRANSMITTER.

FUNCTIONAL CHECK PERSONNEL TO MOVE TRANSMITTER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT. DF NEEDLE SHOULD FOLLOW TRANSMITTER.

NEEDLE MAY NOT CENTER WITH TEST TRANSMITTER DIRECTLY FORE OR AFT. DF OK IF THE NEEDLE POINTS CORRECTLY WHEN THE TRANSMITTER IS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT. SENS – TURN CLOCKWISE. (STRENGTH NEEDLE SHOULD MOVE) FUNCTIONAL CHECK

La-Series FUNCTIONAL CHECK - NO TRANSMITTER FREQ MHZ TRAINING ALARM - TOGGLE OFF (DOWN) SENS – MAX VOL -ON CHECK SIGNAL STRENGTH (HISSING SOUND ON AUDIO, SIGNAL STRENGTH NEEDLE ¼ TO ½ WAY BETWEEN CENTER AND LEFT END. DF NEEDLE CENTERED. SENS – MIN, THEN MAX (DF NEEDLE SHOULD MOVE SLOWLY AND RANDOMLY BACK AND FORTH.) CHECK AUDIO FOR BACKGROUND NOISE.

La-Series ✔ FLIGHT OPERATION FREQ MHZ / MHZ (TRAINING MISSIONS) ALARM – TOGGLE OFF (DOWN) SENS – MAX VOL – MID SCALE DF NEEDLE MOVES SLIGHTLY LEFT AND RIGHT

Signal Detected Complete 360 degree turn. Check for 2 centers - DF ambiguity. Note; TIME, ALTITUDE, POSITION, and BEARING If SENSITIVITY “needle” is near maximum, decrease the SENSitivity control until the signal disappears, then increase it until the strength meter has an on scale reading. Do NOT decrease the VOLume control to reduce signal strength.. Maintain comfortable volume. Banking of the aircraft will cause the needle to swing so bearings should be taken with the aircraft level and steady. Fly tracks with needle centered at all times.

ELT Homer Operation Changing SENSITIVITY control will also affect the “swing” of the needle so changes should be made in stages and not constantly. The aim is to keep the needle as sensitive as possible without letting it swing to either end of the meter. STRENGTHDIRECTION FREQUENCY SENSITIVITY VOLUME ALARM SWITCH-DOWN

STRENGTHDIRECTION FREQUENCY SENSITIVITY VOLUME ALARM SWITCH-DOWN ELT Homer Operation As you get close to the “On-Top” put the VOLUME / SENSITIVITY at a suitable level and leave it there

STRENGTHDIRECTION FREQUENCY SENSITIVITY VOLUME ALARM SWITCH-DOWN ELT Homer Operation Minimize your heading changes as well. Try to identify the “On Top” by the change in volume and any unusual movement of the needle.

Boxing the target (air) Fly second track perpendicular to first starting roughly in the centre of probable target area. Keep the needle centered

ELT Homer Operation Once you assess an “On Top”, call it out and mark the position on the GPS. Continue on the track just to confirm that this was the “On Top”. To confirm and refine the position, conduct a second homing from a 90 degree position. Regardless of the “On Top”, the ELT should be close to where where the two tracks cross.

Boxing the target (air) Signal strength increasing, Needle moderately sensitive Fly tracks with needle centered at all times

Boxing the target (air) Signal strength very high, Needle very sensitive. Brief turns can be used to confirm station passage.

Boxing the target (air) Signal strength decreasing, Needle less sensitive.

Boxing the target (air) Probable target area

Boxing the target (air) Intersection of tracks is target location Keep the needle centered

Boxing the target (air) Additional tracks will refine target location, reducing search altitude will also narrow the area. Some error will still exist due to search altitude, local terrain, and ELT position. Call in NOCL

Contact Searchmaster, JRCC. Give NOCL. Turn on landing light. Orbit site{SHALLOW BANK no more than 30 degrees} and give aid to ground teams if in area to locate site. If rescue aircraft arriving on scene establish communication and maintain higher orbit to guide rescue aircraft to scene if required. Stay on site until released, BINGO time or weather situation. May be required to stay on scene as communication platform for rescue party. ELT Located Rescue Situation -Air

ELT Located Rescue Situation –Air Who is flying the plane ? Locating crash site can lead to situation where ALL crew members are looking outside to view site. Potential danger for collision, or stall. PILOT must concentrate on safe operation of aircraft at all times. Spotter to keep site in view.

Information Sources (Maker of Little L-Per) (Scott E Lanis) CASARA TRAINING MANUAL Practice and Experience

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