Scanner Course #6

Minnesota Wing Aircrew Training: Tasks P-2025, P-2026, O-2004

Search CoverageDisaster Assessment

Scanner Course #6

Search Coverage

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Definitions Search Involves

– Estimating the position of the wreck or survivors– Determining the area to be searched– Selecting the search techniques to be used

Last Known Point– Critical Information– A newly learned LKP can completely reshape a search

Possibility Area (Theoretical)– Circle around the Last Known Position (LKP)– The radius is equal to the endurance of the aircraft– Correct for wind

Probability Area (Statistical)– Where is the aircraft likely to be

Scanner Course #6

Determining the Possibility Area

LKP

Corrected for wind

Wind vector

No wind endurance

Maximum possibility area

Flight level winds: 330/20

Aircraft Speed: 100 Kts

Endurance: 2 Hours

Therefore, range of aircraft =200 miles = radius of circle

Winds cause circle to be offset by 40 miles

200 NM

40NM

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Probability Area

Based on past searches CSAD: Canadian

Search Area Definition 77% Probability of Area

(POA) within 10 NM of intended track

83% POA within 15NM

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Probability Area (cont.)

Concentration of cases near LKP and destination

Slightly more in last half, especially last quarter

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Narrowing the Probability Area Flight plan (even if not on file with the FAA) Is there an ELT? Weather information Last point where RADAR had the aircraft identified Radar coverage as a limiting factor Airports along the intended flight track Aircraft performance Pilots flying habits Nature of terrain along the flight track Position reports — fuel stops, etc. Reports of sightings

– Other aircraft– People living along the intended route of flight

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The Balancing Act

Limited Resources Choosing Patterns, spacing, altitudes, etc. Planning Time in Search Area – how much

time does it take to complete a search assignment?

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Search Priorities

Areas of bad weather Low clouds and poor visibility Areas where weather was not as forecast High terrain Areas not covered by radar Reports of low flying aircraft Survival factors Radio contacts or MAYDAY calls

Scanner Course #6

Search Visibility

Not the same as meteorological visibility (distance at which large objects can be seen)

Distance at which an object on the ground can be seen and recognized from an aircraft in flight. It is always less than meteorological visibility

Track spacing should never be more than two times search visibility

Scanner Course #6

Search Visibility

Scanner Course #6

Probability Of Detection (POD) POD expressed as a “percent” search object was

detected Four interrelated factors used to calculate

– Track Spacing– Search Visibility– Search Altitude– Type of Terrain

Cumulative POD calculated using a chart “Effectiveness” must also be considered

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Probability of Detection (POD)

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Cumulative POD

5-10% 1511-20% 20 2521-30% 30 35 4531-40% 40 45 50 6041-50% 50 55 60 65 7051-60% 60 65 65 70 75 8061-70% 70 70 75 80 80 85 9071-80% 80 80 80 85 85 90 90 95

80+% 85 85 90 90 90 95 95 95 95+5-10% 11-20%21-30%31-40%41-50%51-60%61-70%71-80%80+%

POD For This Search

PreviousPOD

Cumulative Probability of Detection Chart

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Natural and man-made Examples of CAP services:

– Air and ground SAR services– Air and ground visual and/or video imaging– Flood boundary determination– Air and ground transportation– Courier flights– Radio communications support

Disaster Assessment

Scanner Course #6

Effects of extreme weather Physical landscape may be so altered as to

make maps obsolete or make navigation difficult

Damage or destruction of area infrastructure Effects of biological, chemical or radiological

terrorism (or accidental release)

How Disasters Can Effect CAP Operations

Scanner Course #6

Flying damage assessment sorties is not much different from our SAR search patterns

The big difference is what you look for Should be asking questions such as:

– What is the geographical extent and severity of the damage?– Is the damage spreading? If so, how far and how fast?– How has access/egress been affected?– What are the primary and secondary hazards?– Is the disaster threatening critical structures or areas?– Have utilities been affected or are they threatened?– Can you see alternatives to problems?

Assessment

Scanner Course #6

Some specific things to be looking for are:– Breaks in pavement, railways, bridges, dams, levees,

pipelines, runways and structures– Roads/streets blocked by water, debris or landslide– Downed power lines– Ruptured water lines– Motorists in distress or major accidents– Alternate routes for emergency vehicles or

evacuation– Distress signals from survivors

Assessment

Scanner Course #6

At each site, besides sketching or highlighting the extent of the damage and identifying access and egress routes, you should record:– Latitude and longitude– Description– Type and extent of damage– Photo number, or time reference for videotape– Status and trends

Assessment

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Aerial survey of WTC

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Aerial survey of WTC

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Aerial survey of WTC

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Aerial survey of WTC

Scanner Course #6

Aerial survey of WTC

Scanner Course #6

Aerial survey of WTC

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Aerial survey of WTC

Scanner Course #6

Flooding over levee

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Seeping behind levee

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Flooded approach

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Bridge damage

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Tornado

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Tornado

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Tornado leaves slabs

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Close-up of tornado damage

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Wide image of train wreck

ChemicaChemical spill l spill

(hazmat(hazmat))

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Close image of train wreck

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Close image of train wreck

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Infrared image of train wreck

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Plume from train wreck

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A person is very difficult to spot from the air if they are not actively trying to be spotted

Lost children and people with diminished capacity can be especially difficult to spot from the air; often they will hide from searchers

Lost people often fight topography; children under five years frequently travel uphill

Important to know what color clothes they were wearing (not just the outer clothes) and their habits

Missing Person Search

Scanner Course #6

Person on the GroundPLAIN SHIRT, 1000

AGL

Scanner Course #6

Person on the GroundPLAIN SHIRT, 500

AGL

Scanner Course #6

Person on the GroundCAMO SHIRT, 500

AGL

Scanner Course #6

Person on the GroundYELLOW SHIRT, 500

AGL

Scanner Course #6

Person on the GroundBLUE SHIRT, 500 AGL

Scanner Course #6

Person on the GroundORANGE SHIRT, 500

AGL

Scanner Course #6

Person on the GroundSIGNAL MIRROR, 500

AGL