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
FREQUENCY
DIRECTION
STRENGTH SENSITIVITY
VOLUME
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 – 123.10 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 15-30 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.
FUNCTIONAL CHECK
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)
La-Series
FUNCTIONAL CHECK - NO
TRANSMITTER
FREQ - 121.5 MHZ- 123.10 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 - 121.5 MHZ / 123.10 MHZ (TRAINING MISSIONS)
ALARM – TOGGLE OFF (DOWN)
SENS – MAX
VOL – MID SCALE
DF NEEDLE MOVES SLIGHTLY LEFT AND RIGHT
Signal Detected
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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.
FREQUENCY
DIRECTION
STRENGTH 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
FREQUENCY
DIRECTION
STRENGTH 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.
FREQUENCY
DIRECTION
STRENGTH SENSITIVITY
VOLUME
ALARM SWITCH-DOWN
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)
Fly tracks with needle centered at all times
Signal strength increasing,
Needle moderately sensitive
Boxing the target (air)
Brief turns can be used
to confirm station passage.
Signal strength very high,
Needle very sensitive.
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.
Call in NOCL
Some error will still exist due to search altitude,
local terrain, and ELT position.
ELT Located
Rescue Situation -Air
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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
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
• www.ltronics.com (Maker of Little L-Per)
• www.CAP-ES.net (Scott E Lanis)
• CASARA TRAINING MANUAL
Practice and Experience
“THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE”
THANK YOU