Who is NOASARA?

Established in 1986, the Northwestern Ontario Air Search And Rescue Association (NOASARA) provides the citizens of Northwestern Ontario with a professionally trained volunteer group who conduct aerial searches for downed aircraft, missing / in-distress watercraft, and missing / lost persons, on a quick response basis. NOASARA is incorporated in Ontario as a not-for-profit corporation, and is a registered Charitable Foundation.

Based out of Thunder Bay International Airport (CYQT), NOASARA has about 30 volunteer members serving in a variety of capacities. Aircraft owners, pilots, navigators, spotters, ground homing specialists and support teams all provide a valuable function.

NOASARA operates under the framework of CASARA, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association. Formed by agreement between the federal Ministry of Transport and the Department of National Defence, CASARA is a national organization established for the purpose of developing an all-volunteer group of civilians trained to assist in aerial and electronic searches.