CFC Search & Rescue Coordination 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) receives conflicting distress signals from two different locations. The communicator should:
- Focus all resources on the signal with the stronger strength
- Coordinate simultaneous response to both signals, prioritizing based on available information (Correct answer)
- Wait for additional confirmation before dispatching any resources
- Respond only to the signal on 406 MHz and discard the 121.5 MHz signal
Correct answer: Coordinate simultaneous response to both signals, prioritizing based on available information
When multiple distress signals are received, the communicator must coordinate simultaneous responses while prioritizing based on available data such as aircraft type and last known position.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a SAREVAL in SAR planning?
- To evaluate the performance of rescue personnel after a mission
- To assess the probability of survival of the distressed person over time (Correct answer)
- To calculate the cost of the SAR operation
- To determine the qualifications of search aircraft crews
Correct answer: To assess the probability of survival of the distressed person over time
A SAREVAL evaluates the probability of survival of the distressed person, which influences urgency and resource allocation decisions.
Question 3: In maritime SAR coordination, a flight communicator must be aware that GMDSS watch is maintained on:
- Channel 16 VHF and 2182 kHz (Correct answer)
- 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz only
- 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz simultaneously
- 500 kHz and 2182 kHz
Correct answer: Channel 16 VHF and 2182 kHz
GMDSS requires continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 and 2182 kHz (for vessels still equipped with MF radiotelephone) as the primary distress frequencies.
Question 4: A flight communicator is coordinating a SAR mission for a downed aircraft in mountainous terrain. Which search pattern is MOST appropriate?
- Expanding square search
- Contour search following terrain features (Correct answer)
- Parallel track search
- Sector search centered on last known position
Correct answer: Contour search following terrain features
In mountainous terrain, a contour search that follows terrain features is most effective because terrain severely limits visibility and access.
Question 5: Who has the authority to terminate a SAR mission when the search object has not been found?
- The pilot in command of the last search aircraft
- The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)
- The Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) coordinator (Correct answer)
- The FAA Flight Standards District Office
Correct answer: The Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) coordinator
The RCC coordinator has the authority to terminate a SAR mission when the search has been deemed exhausted and further search is not warranted.
Question 6: What does a 'datum' represent in SAR planning?
- The last confirmed position of an aircraft before distress
- The best estimate of where the search object is located at a specific time (Correct answer)
- The geographic center of the assigned search area
- A fixed navigational reference point for search aircraft
Correct answer: The best estimate of where the search object is located at a specific time
Datum is the best estimated position of the search object at a specific time, accounting for drift, leeway, and elapsed time since the last known position.
Question 7: During a SAR operation, a communicator receives a MAYDAY relay from an aircraft that overheard another aircraft in distress. The communicator should:
- Disregard the relay and wait for direct contact from the distressed aircraft
- Acknowledge the relay and immediately initiate SAR response procedures (Correct answer)
- Ask the relaying aircraft to return to the distressed aircraft's location
- Log the information and monitor for 10 minutes before acting
Correct answer: Acknowledge the relay and immediately initiate SAR response procedures
A MAYDAY relay must be treated as a genuine distress call; the communicator acknowledges the relay and initiates SAR procedures immediately.
CFC Search & Rescue Coordination 3
A Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) receives conflicting distress signals from two different locations.
The communicator should: