AIM

10/12/17

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Emergency Services Available to Pilots

3.

If you land en route and are delayed more than

30 minutes, report this information to the nearest FSS
and give them your original destination.

4.

If your ETE changes by 30 minutes or more,

report a new ETA to the nearest FSS and give them
your original destination. Remember that if you fail
to respond within one-half hour after your ETA at
final destination, a search will be started to locate you.

5.

It is important that you 

close your flight plan

IMMEDIATELY AFTER ARRIVAL AT YOUR FINAL
DESTINATION WITH THE FSS DESIGNATED
WHEN YOUR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. The 

pilot

is responsible

 for closure of a VFR or DVFR flight

plan; they are not closed automatically.

 This will

prevent needless search efforts.

6.

The rapidity of rescue on land or water will

depend on how accurately your position may be
determined. If a flight plan has been followed and
your position is on course, rescue will be expedited.

h. Survival Equipment.

1.

For flight over uninhabited land areas, it is

wise to take and know how to use survival equipment
for the type of climate and terrain.

2.

If a forced landing occurs at sea, chances for

survival are governed by the degree of crew
proficiency in emergency procedures and by the
availability and effectiveness of water survival
equipment.

i. Body Signal Illustrations.

1.

If you are forced down and are able to attract

the attention of the pilot of a rescue airplane, the body

signals illustrated on these pages can be used to
transmit messages to the pilot circling over your
location.

2.

Stand in the open when you make the signals.

3.

Be sure the background, as seen from the air,

is not confusing.

4.

Go through the motions slowly and repeat

each signal until you are positive that the pilot
understands you.

j. Observance of Downed Aircraft.

1.

Determine if crash is marked with a yellow

cross; if so, the crash has already been reported and
identified.

2.

If possible, determine type and number of

aircraft and whether there is evidence of survivors.

3.

Fix the position of the crash as accurately as

possible with reference to a navigational aid. If
possible, provide geographic or physical description
of the area to aid ground search parties.

4.

Transmit the information to the nearest FAA

or other appropriate radio facility.

5.

If circumstances permit, orbit the scene to

guide in other assisting units until their arrival or until
you are relieved by another aircraft.

6.

Immediately after landing, make a complete

report to the nearest FAA facility, or Air Force or
Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center. The report
can be made by a long distance collect telephone call.