Smartphones to the Rescue

Cell phones in the cockpit can help expedite the search should aircraft go missing.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 09:16 AM ET

Verified

These days searchers are using more advanced technology—specifically proprietary software designed by CAP—to locate cell phones with much faster and more accurate results without ever launching an aircraft. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Traditional ELTs frequently fail to activate or provide imprecise locations, hindering timely search and rescue operations for downed aircraft.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has modernized search and rescue by utilizing advanced cell phone forensics and ADS-B radar analysis, enabling significantly faster and more accurate location of missing aircraft or persons.
Keeping a smartphone on during flight is FAA-approved and serves as a critical, often life-saving, tool for search and rescue teams due to its superior location capabilities compared to traditional ELTs.

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On December 6, 2007, a Piper Dakota disappeared flying between Washington state’s Norm Grier Field (S36) and Pierce County Airport-Thun Field (KPLU) a distance of 16 nm. The commercial pilot was instrument rated and was alone except for his dog.

It was a dark night, but VFR conditions prevailed. The pilot had just completed an instrument and night proficiency flight with an instructor.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.