Specifications

Search and Rescue (SAR) Phases
In the event of aircraft failing to report, reporting to be in distress, crashed or being
forced to land, the predicament is likely to be more serious than that of a lost ground
party. The whole party may be injured and injuries are likely to be worse.
During aircraft flights, pilots regularly report position to radio rooms and rarely will
fly in an area out of radio contact. SAR commences with missed schedules or
reported distress.
Uncertainty Phase (UNCERPHA)
An uncertainty phase is declared when:
• No communication with the aircraft has been received within 30 minutes
following the hour when a position message should have been received.
• When the aircraft does not arrive 30 minutes following the estimated time of
arrival announced.
Alert Phase (ALERPHA)
The alert phase is declared when:
• After the Uncertainty Phase, no information from the aircraft can be obtained,
through communications.
• An aircraft has been CLEARED to land and fails to do so within five (05)
minutes.
• Following the estimated time of landing, communication with the aircraft
cannot be re-established.
• Receiving reports indicating working condition of the aircraft is abnormal.
Distress Phase (DISTRESSPHA)
The distress phase is declared when:
• The Alert Phase has occurred and after verification calls have been made, no
news is received from the aircraft, inferring it is in a distress situation.
• It is considered the fuel carried by the airborne aircraft is depleted, or
insufficient to arrive at a safe place.
• Reports are received indicating the aircraft is about to perform or it has
conducted a forced landing.
During any Emergency Phase, the radio operator is to ensure UNHAS personnel
are kept up to date with the latest information on hand.
Radio Room Logs and Flight Watch Data
The radio operator will:
• Commence one new radio log per day and on completion file this log in the
radio room for future reference.
• Complete a flight watch sheet containing the original schedule of the flight
and a section of actual performance based on the reports from the stations.
• Hand over the form to the Flight Operations Office of UNHAS the following
morning for evaluation and further processing.
Radio Operators Training Manual Version 27/11/2007 74