I was pilot-in-command of a USAF-directed Search and Rescue exercise (SAREX) flight mission this morning when, 15 minutes into it, we picked up an actual emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal! The SAREX immediately turned into an actual search. Our 1980s-technology L-Tronics Direction Finding unit was not working, so we used wing null methods: using the airplanes wings to block the ELT signal to the planes antenna to get a rough bearing to the ELT signal. A wing null maneuver requires a wings-level 45-deg. bank turn over a known point, which we did from various locations, for about 2 hours. We never found a crash site. Our best guess is that an ELT was inadvertently activated at Yerington Airport. If you did it, FESS UP! I need to know! A lot of flying, a great crew (thanks Fred and Susan!), and the excitement of doing an ACTUAL mission versus an exercise. Pretty cool day overall. Im beat, but its a GOOD beat!
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 00:31:04 +0000
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