By Experts| Latest Update Guaranteed Success
Q: What is an ALNOT A: Alert Notice - a request originated by an FSS or ARTCC for an
extensive communications search for overdue, unreported, or missing aircraft
Q: How far on either side of the route of flight should an ALNOT be issued A: Generally 50
miles on either side
Q: When does transfer of search responsibility to RCC occur A: When the ALNOT search has
been completed with negative results, the aircraft has not been located within one hour after
ALNOT issuance, or thirty minutes have elapsed after the estimated aircraft fuel exhaustion
time
Q: Who is responsible for canceling the ALNOT A: The ALNOT originator
Q: ELT testing should be done during which time frame A: During the first five minutes of the
hour
Q: Which type of flight plan does FSS initiate SAR procedures for A: VFR flight plans, where
no flight plan has been filed, or on the VFR portion of a composite VFR/IFR flight plan
Q: For IFR aircraft, which facility initiates SAR procedures when an aircraft is on a Special VFR
clearance A: ARTCC
Q: What must be issued before the RCC can begin SAR operations A: An ALNOT
Q: When an aircraft is considered to be in emergency status, terminal facilities must forward
information to which facility A: ARTCC
, Q: What are the three main aircraft status classifications in SAR operations A: Unreported,
Overdue, and Missing
Q: Which agencies participate in the National Search and Rescue Plan A: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), United States Coast Guard (USCG), United States Air Forces (USAF), and
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Q: What civilian resources does the Air Force typically use to conduct physical searches A:
Civil Air Patrol and state agencies
Q: For VFR aircraft, what is the formula for when an aircraft is considered overdue A: ETA +
30 Minutes
Q: What type of search is initiated by FSS for overdue VFR aircraft A: Communications
search
Q: If you have reason to believe an IFR aircraft is overdue prior to 30 minutes, what action
should be taken A: Take immediate action as required
Q: Which center is responsible for making overdue determinations and taking subsequent
action for IFR aircraft A: The center in whose area the aircraft is first overdue or unreported
Q: What sources may report an aircraft with no flight plan as overdue A: Family member,
business associate, fixed base operator, etc.
Q: When an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal is received or reported, which facility
initiates SAR procedures A: ARTCC
Q: What information should be included in the ALNOT to aid RCC and SAR teams A: Last
known position, time, and aircraft beacon code