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 Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are often unreliable or imprecise for search and rescue, as exemplified by a 2007 crash where the ELT did not activate.
Modern search and rescue, largely conducted by Civil Air Patrol (CAP), now significantly relies on advanced technology, including proprietary cell phone forensics software and ADS-B radar analysis.
These combined methods enable search teams to locate missing aircraft or individuals much faster and with greater accuracy (often within 100 meters) compared to older techniques.
Pilots are advised to keep their smartphones on during flights, as these FAA-approved Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) devices are proving to be crucial and highly effective tools for emergency location by search and rescue teams.

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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.