NOASARA Pictorial

SAREX 01-4 (June 16, 2001)

This Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) was conducted primarily for spotter training at Geraldton as well as for training new navigators at Thunder Bay.

A Cessna 182 was dispatched to Geraldton Friday afternoon, spotter ground school was conducted at the Geraldton Legion in the evening, and eleven training flights took place on the Saturday.

In Thunder Bay, the Cherokee and Mooney were dispatched to do combined visual and electronic searches in areas southwest and northwest of the city, respectively. These photos show some of the activities taking place during the exercise.

Click on photo to enlarge

Pilot calculates weight and balance to ensure safety and plane performance.

What could these serious looking gentlemen be discussing?

Before the search flight, crew briefing covers aiplane safety and navigation plan.

Search coordinator briefs participants on the search object, strategy, and resources to be used.

Spotter takes time out to review some of the organization's history.

Piper Cherokee departing for its assigned search area. This plane is often used for low altitude grid searches and electronic homing.

Coffee break in the well equipped kitchen facilities.

Cessna 182 departing for its spotter training assignment in Geraldton.

Mooney M20 ready to roll. This high speed plane is often used on long, straight line searches and electronic homing.

Navigator plotting his course. Accurate flying is essential to make sure no search areas are missed.

Weather briefings are an important part of flight preparations.

Cessna 182 gets a thorough preflight inspection.

During the search, planes communicate with the base station so progress can be tracked and the search strategy adjusted.

Search coordinator explains details of search areas and crew assignments.

Trainee navigators are mentored by experienced personnel. A graduated training program ensures safety and effectiveness.

Spotter trainers ready for flight to their Geraldton training assignment.

Created June 19, 2001

Pilot calculates weight and balance to ensure safety and plane performance.	What could these serious looking gentlemen be discussing?
Before the search flight, crew briefing covers aiplane safety and navigation plan.	Search coordinator briefs participants on the search object, strategy, and resources to be used.
Spotter takes time out to review some of the organization's history.	Piper Cherokee departing for its assigned search area. This plane is often used for low altitude grid searches and electronic homing.
Coffee break in the well equipped kitchen facilities.	Cessna 182 departing for its spotter training assignment in Geraldton.
Mooney M20 ready to roll. This high speed plane is often used on long, straight line searches and electronic homing.	Navigator plotting his course. Accurate flying is essential to make sure no search areas are missed.
Weather briefings are an important part of flight preparations.	Cessna 182 gets a thorough preflight inspection.
During the search, planes communicate with the base station so progress can be tracked and the search strategy adjusted.	Search coordinator explains details of search areas and crew assignments.
Trainee navigators are mentored by experienced personnel. A graduated training program ensures safety and effectiveness.	Spotter trainers ready for flight to their Geraldton training assignment.