CIVIL AIR SEARCH AND
RESCUE ASSOCIATION
PILOT TRAINING COURSE
Phase 2
Search Procedures
CASARA
Maps
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CASARA
CASARA typically uses 1:500,000 maps
(VNC’s) for transit and the 1:250,000 scale
(Topo or JOG charts) for searches
Another transit chart available to crews is
the 1:1,000,000 (WAC)
A chart used occasionally for a missing
person search is the 1:50,000 chart
GEOREF System
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rectangles of 1 degree of latitude and
longitude
identified by a two-letter symbol
each rectangle is divided into four
identified by numbers 1-4 starting at upper
left hand corner then each box is again subdivided by 4 with letters a-d
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GEOREF
CASARA
Maps
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using the GEOREF system rough in the
boundaries with a pencil
study the area for terrain features
draw search patterns on map
identify possible check-points
check the height of the terrain, mark on map
CASARA
Search Planning Methods
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Search planning can be done either
manually or by computer
The two manual methods are:
Canadian Search Area Definition (CSAD)
 Mountain VFR (MVFR) Method
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The computer method is:
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Search HQ which is being used by Search Coordinators in
some provinces and territories
CASARA
Canadian Search Area
Definition (CSAD) Method
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Two probability areas are computed as follows
AREA 1- a rectangle 10 nautical miles (NM)
each side of the track, beginning 10 NM before
LKP and extending 10 NM beyond the
destination.
AREA 2- a rectangle 15 NM each side of the
track, beginning at LKP and extending 15 NM
beyond destination. Area 2 includes the
overlapping portion of Area 1.
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Canadian Search Area Definition
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Mountain Visual Flight Rules
(MVFR) Method
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AREA 1- An area 5 NM each side of the
track, beginning 5 NM before LKP and
extending 5 NM beyond destination.
AREA 2- An area 10 NM each side of the
track, beginning 10 NM before LKP and
extending 10 NM beyond destination.
Mountain Visual Flight Rules
CASARA
Search Patterns
CASARA
Search Patterns
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CASARA
Track Crawl
Creeping-Line-Ahead (CLA)
Parallel Track
Expanding Square
Sector Searches
Contour Search
Coast Crawl or Shoreline Search
Search Patterns
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CASARA
coverage
1st search - day 1500 and 3nm, night
3000ft and 5nm visibility
2nd search - 1000ft and 1nm visibility
3rd search - 500ft and 1/2nm visibility
ELT - 1st search 10,000ft 30nm reception
2nd search 5000ft 15nm reception
Search Patterns
Track Crawl
• search crew flies to LKP and begins to fly a
track parallel to the intended flight route: see
page 3.2 in handbook (illus.1) distance =
visibility distance
• search crew flies to LKP and along intended
flight route to destination then re-track with
given visibility distance (illus.2) page 3.2
CASARA
Search Patterns
Track Crawl
• searching during turns is very important,
otherwise areas will not be searched
unless tasked with turns outside the
assigned area
• careful on the search assigned, parallel
or following the intended route
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Track Crawl (illus. 1)
LKP
Destination
3nm
visibility 3 miles
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Track Crawl (illus. 2)
3nm
6nm
LKP
6nm
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Destination
3nm
Search Patterns
Creeping Line Ahead
• after being briefed on the area to be
searched, altitude to be flown, visibility
distance, commence search point and
direction of flight, search crew proceeds to
the Commence Search Point (CSP)
• track spacing will be twice the visibility
distance
CASARA
Search Patterns
Creeping Line Ahead
• the Creeping Line Ahead is flown parallel to
the shortest side of the search area
• the search track is plotted one visibility
distance from the search area boundary
• for example, if the search requested is 500
and 1/2 nm then the 1st line is drawn at 1/2
nm from edge of block then the rest are
drawn at 1 nm
CASARA
Creeping Line Ahead
2v
boundary
search area
1v
flight planned track
CSP
CASARA
Search Patterns
Parallel Track
• the Parallel Track is flown parallel to the
longest side of the search area
• the search track is plotted one visibility
distance from the search area boundary
• for example, if the search requested is 500
and 1/2 nm then the 1st line is drawn at 1/2
nm from edge of block then the rest are
drawn at 1 nm
CASARA
Parallel Track
Destination
visibility 1 mile
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Search Patterns
Expanding Square
• you need LKP, altitude to be flown and
visibility distance
• fly lines at right angles to each other with a
track spacing of two vis distances,
increasing by twice the visibility
• assess the drift and apply correction before
the search starts
• fly the cardinal headings
CASARA
Search Patterns
Expanding Square
• accurate navigation is mandatory when
utilizing the expanding square
• draw a run in line prior to LKP to establish
heading, airspeed, and altitude with the
spotters searching
• this is also a difficult search to fly due to the
tight turns at the beginning of the search
CASARA
Expanding Square
8v
4v
commence search
point (CSP)
4v
6v
8v
2v
LKP
6v
v = visibility distance
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Search Patterns
Sector Search
• used when the LKP is established with a
high degree of accuracy and the search
area is small
• when persons are lost in bushland and they
are in a small area
• on completion of an ELT homing when the
source of the signal cannot be readily seen
CASARA
Search Patterns
Sector Search
• you will need LKP, altitude to be flown and
visibility distances
• fly to the LKP or CSP (commence search
point)
• fly lines radiating from the centre every 60
degrees
• for 2nd coverage rotate the search pattern
30 degrees left or right (illus. 3.5)
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Sector Search
2nd
search
LKP
csp
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Search Patterns
Contour Search
• plot the area, study the topography, check
the weather, proceed to the area, check out
the area, cross 1000ft above the highest
peak, check the weather again, plan your
search, plot an escape route, note all
prominent features (3.6 handbook)
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Contour Search
Patterns are flown left or right hand turns based on
aircraft requirements and the terrain to be searched.
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Coast Crawl or Shoreline Search
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Similar to a Contour Search, follow the
contour of a shore line or coast line
The altitude flown, distance from shore and
visibility distance will depend on the terrain
The above tasking information should come
from Search Headquarters or JRCC but if
left to the discretion of the pilot should be
flown at an operationally safe altitude and
distance from shore
Search Pattern Choice
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CASARA
If you are operating as a lone aircraft such
as on a missing person search, you may
have to decide which pattern best fits the
search situation
For a small area, a Sector Search works well
giving numerous passes and different angles
to spot from
Track Crawl, Parallel Track and Creeping
Line Ahead work well for larger areas such
as a search for an overdue aircraft
Search Pattern Choice
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CASARA
ELT searches for a missing or overdue
aircraft, without ELT signal heard, can be
searched well with a Parallel Track at a high
altitude for better signal coverage
An ELT hit, with coordinates given, can be
searched well with an Expanding Square
until the ELT is heard, then ELT homing
should take place
ELT Homings
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CASARA
use either aircraft or ground homer
set frequency, DF mode, SENS minimum,
Vol at 12 o’clock
turn SENS up until meter needle goes left
or right and signal is audible
left to right needle swing is normal when
flying. Follow heading that keep swings
equal
the ELT homer is most accurate when the
aircraft is in straight and level flight
ELT Homings
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CASARA
as volume increases and/or needle
becomes too sensitive, decrease SENS.
Slight left-right swing and audible signal is
enough.
the closer the target, the more rapidly
volume and sensitivity increase.
to evaluate the quality of the bearing, turn a
full circle. If the needle centres more than
twice 180 degrees apart, fly a circle,
keeping needle either left or right constantly
Location of Search Object
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CASARA
Contact JRCC/Searchmaster/CASARA
Search Coordinator or On-Scene
Commander
use radio frequency assigned
relay through nearest FSS or ATC unit
provide a Notice of Crash Location (NOCL)
message
AURAL NULL PROCEDURE “A”
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In the event that your homer is not working,
you must know Aural Null methods, “A”,
and “B”.
The only equipment you need is:
– VHF receiver
– clock
– map
– pen
CASARA
Beware of a difference of signal reception on
the nose of the search aircraft, as compared
to the signal off of the tail. Signal strength
may vary enough between the two so as to
make the results inaccurate. If this occurs it
is recommended that readings be taken off
of the nose. It will mean flying out of the
signal, then making a 180 degree turn and
coming back on the same track. When flying
back towards the signal, take your readings
once the signal is heard again.
CASARA
When signal detected:
• Pinpoint your position on map
• Descend to minimum reception altitude
• Disable squelch if possible and adjust radio
volume to minimum reception
• Fly a constant heading and draw a track
made good on the map
• Once signal is lost, do a 180º turn and mark
the spot (A) where the signal is acquired
• Maintain constant altitude and volume
setting at all times
CASARA
When signal fades out
• Fly across the same track and pinpoint
position of fade out (B), do another 180º
• Calculate mid-point of track made good (C)
• From this mid-point plot at 90 degrees, a
new desired track which extends on both
sides of track made good
• Return to mid point and fly either direction
to make good, the new track
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When signal strength fades out, plot this
point on your map (D)
– Reverse course, signal will build and then
fade. Plot point at which signal fades (E)
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In theory, the ELT should be located at the
mid point of the second track
D
C
A
E
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B
AURAL NULL PROCEDURE “B”
This method has both an advantage, and
disadvantage:
– ADVANTAGE: It is faster than Procedure “A”
– DISADVANTAGE: It requires sufficient
cockpit space to adequately plot the information
• Requires:
– VHF receiver - pen
- dividers
– map
- ruler
- 900 triangle
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CASARA
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CASARA
Position of the aircraft is plotted as soon as
the signal is heard
Continue on same heading for a short
distance
Turn 900 either left or right, and proceed
until the signal fades. Note this position
Turn aircraft 1800 and again plot where the
signal is heard, and where it fades
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Approximate position of ELT is plotted by:
– drawing chord lines between each set of
“signal heard” and “signal fades” positions
– Drawing perpendicular bisectors of each
chord
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CASARA
Aircraft proceeds to the point where the
perpendicular bisectors intersect. The ELT
should be there
Extreme radius of signal
Beware of a difference of signal reception on the nose of the search
aircraft, as compared to the signal off of the tail. Signal strength may
vary enough between the two so as to make the results inaccurate. If
this occurs it is recommended that readings be taken off of the nose. It
will mean flying out of the signal, the making a 180 degree turn and
coming back on the same track. When flying back towards the signal,
take your readings once the signal is heard again.
CASARA
Search Procedures
End of Phase 2
CASARA