CAP Talk

Operations => Aviation & Flying Activities => Topic started by: etodd on August 12, 2018, 11:01:17 PM

Title: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: etodd on August 12, 2018, 11:01:17 PM
So I was out doing some C-12 solo proficiency flying today.  At 4500 feet and about in the middle of a triangle formed by three cities with airports, and I'm around 30 miles from any of them. I flipped Com2 to 121.5 just to see, and there it is, an ELT going off. I called up approach at two of the cities, and the tower at the third, and reported it. Not one of them could hear it, and none had any reports. I turned the Becker on, and the signal was strong and I followed the heading for about 15 minutes. Got a general idea of the heading (possible a small unattended airport about 20 miles ahead) and reported it to the tower as I headed back to base. I had already been flying for awhile and if I continued much longer would have started into reserves. Can't have that of course.

So a question, that I'll also ask at our next Squadron meeting. Was there anything else I should have or could have done, other than reporting to ATC?  Before you say it, YES I realize we DO NOT self-deploy. But in this case, I really felt bad about just heading back to base. I hope its just an ELT in a hangar, and not someone down. I haven't heard anything.
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: Eclipse on August 12, 2018, 11:06:27 PM
Yes, you could contact the NOC directly and report the position you found, and / or your Wing Alert Officer.
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: etodd on August 12, 2018, 11:38:34 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on August 12, 2018, 11:06:27 PM
Yes, you could contact the NOC directly and report the position you found, and / or your Wing Alert Officer.

True.  I'll have to figure out the best method for those, while flying, and out of cell phone range, and on a Sunday morning. By the time I landed I was hoping that at least one of the three ATC folks I talked to would have "put it in the system" or whatever their procedure is. But maybe not. I really don't know if they pass along the info or not(?)

One failure on my part I guess, was not jumping on the CAP radio to see if anyone on ground was monitoring. They could have made a landline to NOC, but being on a Sunday morning, I don't know. Thats why I'm asking. I confess to not knowing.

At SAREXs and other training weekends, we practice running Missions we have been given. I can't ever remember being given much info on how to respond if I encounter something like today, where I'm the first one.
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: chuckmilam on August 13, 2018, 02:19:39 AM
Quote from: etodd on August 12, 2018, 11:38:34 PM
One failure on my part I guess, was not jumping on the CAP radio to see if anyone on ground was monitoring.
We're all monitoring CAPGUARD.  Right?  Right?  Anyone?   ;D
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: Fubar on August 13, 2018, 04:35:32 AM
Quote from: etodd on August 12, 2018, 11:38:34 PM
One failure on my part I guess, was not jumping on the CAP radio to see if anyone on ground was monitoring. They could have made a landline to NOC, but being on a Sunday morning, I don't know. Thats why I'm asking. I confess to not knowing.

You can always report what you learned to your squadron/wing ES leadership upon landing. They know how to contact the AFRCC and get a mission started. And since you're already at the airport, you can expect to go flying again!
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: EMT-83 on August 13, 2018, 10:50:02 AM
You did exactly what you're supposed to do.
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: TheSkyHornet on August 13, 2018, 02:39:22 PM
Quote from: EMT-83 on August 13, 2018, 10:50:02 AM
You did exactly what you're supposed to do.

I totally agree with this.

You identified the issue. You reported it. You attempted to stay on scene until instructed otherwise or could no longer safely stay airborne.

Kudos.
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: BraveRifles19D on August 14, 2018, 01:09:28 AM
Where were you flying? NY Wing had a big training exercise this weekend.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: NovemberWhiskey on August 14, 2018, 01:27:04 AM
Quote from: BraveRifles19D on August 14, 2018, 01:09:28 AM
Where were you flying? NY Wing had a big training exercise this weekend.
Training beacon would be on 121.775 MHz, we can but hope!
Title: Re: ELT Was Going Off ....
Post by: etodd on August 14, 2018, 02:08:56 AM
Mid-Alabama, Sunday morning on 121.5  I haven't heard any more about it so I guess someone figured out what hangar it was coming from. LOL