1. Mission Aircrew Course Visual Search Patterns and Procedures (APR 2010)

2. Aircrew Tasks
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)

3. Aircrew Tasks
O-2109 ASSIST IN PLANNING AND PERFORMING A ROUTE SEARCH (O)
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)

4. Objectives Plan and describe how to fly the following search patterns:
Route (track crawl)
Parallel track (sweep)
Creeping line
Point-based (expanding square and sector)
Discuss how to plan and fly a Contour search pattern

5. The “Stupid Check” “Hey! Wait a minute. This is stupid.”
Do my headings, waypoints, lat/long coordinates, and distances look sensible
Perform:
After planning
When you start your pattern
Periodically thereafter
Give examples.
You’ll be surprised how often this catches mistakes.

6. Examples
The following examples and worksheets are covered to aid in pre-planning a search pattern
Designed for non-moving map GPS, but include all the information you need to set up the GX55
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
Examples taken from the St. Louis sectional, south of Indianapolis.

7. Latitude, Longitude and Distance (and the GPS)
One minute latitude = nm
Fly one minute north or south, cover one nautical mile (a 1-nm leg width)
One minute longitude = anywhere from to 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
1 minute of Longitude = cos(Latitude in Degrees)
For use with non-moving map (GX55) GPS.

8. Route search pattern 1/2 S 1/2 S Track of missing aircraft
Track of search aircraft
Used when aircraft missing without a trace - also used at night.
Rapid and reasonably thorough coverage near the expected track.
1/2 S
1/2 S

9. Route search example
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
Cover and move to next slide.

10. Route search worksheet example
11.2
Objective 11.1 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a route search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: “Parallel Track Offset" function allows you to create a parallel course that is offset to the left or right from your current flight plan by up to 20 nm.

11. Flying the Route Search
GPS Data
Set up User Waypoints
Enter Route
Use CDI to indicate “S”
Starting Waypoint: BMG
Spacing: 1 nm
Number of Passes: 3
Start Side: Left
11.2
Objective 11.1 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a route search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: “Parallel Track Offset" function allows you to create a parallel course that is offset to the left or right from your current flight plan by up to 20 nm.

12. Route search example
QUESTIONS?

13. Parallel Track search pattern (Grid Search)
Used for large and fairly level search areas. Grid search uses this pattern. Can be done East/West or North/South.

14. Grid search example
Assume we’re searching STL #104-D for a missing aircraft:
Quarter-grid, 7.5' x 7.5‘
Enter the northeast corner
One nm track spacing
North/South legs
No aircraft assigned to adjacent grids
Cover and move to next slide.

15. Grid search worksheet example
11.3
Objective 11.2 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a parallel (grid) search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: Type of Grid and Sectional (US grid, STL); Type of pattern (Parallel Line); Grid (104D2, where '2' indicates entering the northeast corner of D quadrant *); Spacing (1 nm); Direction of Travel (N/S)
The GX55 identifies the corners of quadrants by numbers: 1 = enter the NW corner; 2 = NE corner; 3 = SE corner; and 4 = SW corner. In our example you would enter "104D2.“
Note: If you wish, record this data separately (e.g., a list or table) to make it even easier to enter into the GX55. The example, above, and the other examples that follow are listed in the sequence that you enter them into the GX55.

16. GX55 Data Grid search GX55 Type Grid & Sectional: US , STL
Pattern: Parallel Line
Grid: 104D2
Spacing: 1 nm
Direction of Travel: N/S
11.3
Objective 11.2 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a parallel (grid) search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: Type of Grid and Sectional (US grid, STL); Type of pattern (Parallel Line); Grid (104D2, where '2' indicates entering the northeast corner of D quadrant *); Spacing (1 nm); Direction of Travel (N/S)
The GX55 identifies the corners of quadrants by numbers: 1 = enter the NW corner; 2 = NE corner; 3 = SE corner; and 4 = SW corner. In our example you would enter "104D2.“
Note: If you wish, record this data separately (e.g., a list or table) to make it even easier to enter into the GX55. The example, above, and the other examples that follow are listed in the sequence that you enter them into the GX55.

17. GPS Data Spacing: 1 nm Flying the Grid Think ILS Approach.
Keep the Lat/Lon Centered.
Watch for Turn.
Intercept and Track.
Direction of Travel: N/S
Entry Point: NE Corner
Spacing: 1 nm
11.3
Objective 11.2 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a parallel (grid) search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: Type of Grid and Sectional (US grid, STL); Type of pattern (Parallel Line); Grid (104D2, where '2' indicates entering the northeast corner of D quadrant *); Spacing (1 nm); Direction of Travel (N/S)
The GX55 identifies the corners of quadrants by numbers: 1 = enter the NW corner; 2 = NE corner; 3 = SE corner; and 4 = SW corner. In our example you would enter "104D2.“
Note: If you wish, record this data separately (e.g., a list or table) to make it even easier to enter into the GX55. The example, above, and the other examples that follow are listed in the sequence that you enter them into the GX55.

18. Grid search example
QUESTIONS?

19. Creeping Line search pattern
Direction of Search s s s s s
Used when fairly sure of the area. Extended line of the intended airport runways. Also specific sections of highways or victor airways.
Used when search area is long, narrow, fairly level and target is thought to be on either side of the expected track.

20. Creeping Line search example
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
Cover and move to next slide.

21. Creeping Line search worksheet example
11.4
Objective 11.3 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a creeping line search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.

22. Creeping Line search example (CDI method)
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
Cover and move to next slide.

23. Creeping Line search worksheet example
(CDI)
GX55 Data
Type Grid & Sectional: US , STL
Pattern: Creeping Line
Starting Waypoint: BMG
Spacing: 1 nm
Direction of Travel: 060º
Leg Length: 3 nm
Start Side: Right
11.4
Objective 11.3 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a creeping line search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: Type of Grid and Sectional (US grid, STL); Type of pattern (Creeping Line); Starting Waypoint (the airport, BMG); Spacing (1 nm); Direction of Travel (the runway heading, 060º); Leg Length (3 nm *); Start Side (Right)
* 9.9 nm is the longest leg length you can select on the GX55.

24. Flying the Creeping Line search
(CDI)
GPS Data
Determine Far Waypoint.
Fly to First Crossing Point.
Hit DIRECT TO (draws line).
Circle Back to Entry point.
Use CDI for XTrack.
Use Distance TO for Crossings.
11.4
Objective 11.3 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a creeping line search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: Type of Grid and Sectional (US grid, STL); Type of pattern (Creeping Line); Starting Waypoint (the airport, BMG); Spacing (1 nm); Direction of Travel (the runway heading, 060º); Leg Length (3 nm *); Start Side (Right)
* 9.9 nm is the longest leg length you can select on the GX55.

25. Creeping Line search example
QUESTIONS?

26. Expanding Square search pattern (second pass rotated 45°)
Used when the approximate location of target is known. Difficult to fly accurately without a GPS. Use cardinal headings whenever possible to reduce confusion during turns.
Gradually will cover a larger and larger area.

27. Expanding Square search example
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
Cover and move to next slide.

28. Expanding Square search worksheet example
GX55 Data
Type Grid & Sectional: US , STL
Pattern: Expanding Square
Starting Waypoint: N 38º 59´ W 86º 10´
Spacing: 1 nm
Direction of Travel: 000º
11.5
Objective 11.4 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a point-based (expanding square) search.
Explain all information on the worksheet and ask questions to make sure the students understand completely.
GX55: Type of Grid and Sectional (US grid, STL); Type of pattern (Expanding Square); Starting Waypoint (483´ AGL tower approximately eight nm west of Seymour, N 38º 59´ W 86º 10´); Spacing (1 nm); Direction of Travel (due north, 000º)

29. Sector search pattern S max S mean 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
11.6
Objective 11.4 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a point-based (sector) search.
Provides excellent coverage over the central point and provides the opportunity to view the suspected area from many angles (terrain and lighting problems are minimized).
Used when the position of the distress incident is known to be within close limits (i.e. there was a MAYDAY call with definite location).
The pattern provides concentrated
coverage near the center of the area

30. Contour search pattern
This is a difficult and dangerous pattern to fly.
Requires special training such as the Mountain Flying course.
11.7
Objective 11.5 – Demonstrate knowledge of planning and flying a basic contour search.
Density altitude and aircraft performance limitations can cause you to get into a situation that you can’t get out of. Mountain Fury course.

31. QUESTIONS?