Why is it important to close your VFR flight plan immediately after arrival?

6-2-6. Search and Rescue
a. General. SAR is a lifesaving service provided through the combined efforts of the federal agencies
signatory to the National SAR Plan, and the agencies responsible for SAR within each state. Operational
resources are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, DoD components, the Civil Air Patrol, the Coast Guard
Auxiliary, state, county and local law enforcement and other public safety agencies, and private volunteer
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organizations. Services include search for missing aircraft, survival aid, rescue, and emergency medical help for
the occupants after an accident site is located.
b. National Search and Rescue Plan. By federal interagency agreement, the National Search and Rescue
Plan provides for the effective use of all available facilities in all types of SAR missions. These facilities include
aircraft, vessels, pararescue and ground rescue teams, and emergency radio fixing. Under the plan, the U.S. Coast
Guard is responsible for the coordination of SAR in the Maritime Region, and the USAF is responsible in the
Inland Region. To carry out these responsibilities, the Coast Guard and the Air Force have established Rescue
Coordination Centers (RCCs) to direct SAR activities within their regions. For aircraft emergencies, distress,
and urgency, information normally will be passed to the appropriate RCC through an ARTCC or FSS.
c. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers. (See TBL 6-2-2.)
TBL 6-2-2
Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers
Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers
Alameda, CA
510-437-3701
Miami, FL
305-415-6800
Boston, MA
617-223-8555
New Orleans, LA
504-589-6225
Cleveland, OH
216-902-6117
Portsmouth, V A
757-398-6390
Honolulu, HI
808-541-2500
Seattle, WA
206-220-7001
Juneau, AK
907-463-2000
San Juan, PR
787-289-2042
d. Air Force Rescue Coordination Centers. (See TBL 6-2-3 and TBL 6-2-4.)
TBL 6-2-3
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
48 Contiguous States
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
Tyndall AFB, Florida Phone
Commercial 850-283-5955
WATS 800-851-3051
DSN 523-5955
TBL 6-2-4
Air Command Rescue Coordination Center
Alaska
Alaskan Air Command Rescue
Coordination Center
Elmendorf AFB, Alaska Phone
Commercial 907-428-7230
800-420-7230
(outside Anchorage)
DSN 317-551-7230
e. Joint Rescue Coordination Center. (See TBL 6-2-5.)
Emergency Services Available to Pilots 6-2-5

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TBL 6-2-5
Joint Rescue Coordination Center
Hawaii
Honolulu Joint Rescue Coordination Center
HQ 14th CG District
Honolulu Phone
Commercial 808-541-2500
DSN 448-0301
f. Emergency and Overdue Aircraft.
1. ARTCCs and FSSs will alert the SAR system when information is received from any source that an
aircraft is in difficulty, overdue, or missing.
(a) Radar facilities providing radar flight following or advisories consider the loss of radar and radios,
without service termination notice, to be a possible emergency. Pilots receiving VFR services from radar
facilities should be aware that SAR may be initiated under these circumstances.
(b) A filed flight plan is the most timely and effective indicator that an aircraft is overdue. Flight plan
information is invaluable to SAR forces for search planning and executing search efforts.
2. Prior to departure on every flight, local or otherwise, someone at the departure point should be advised
of your destination and route of flight if other than direct. Search efforts are often wasted and rescue is often
delayed because of pilots who thoughtlessly takeoff without telling anyone where they are going. File a flight
plan for your safety.
3. According to the National Search and Rescue Plan, "The life expectancy of an injured survivor decreases
as much as 80 percent during the first 24 hours, while the chances of survival of uninjured survivors rapidly
diminishes after the first 3 days."
4. An Air Force Review of 325 SAR missions conducted during a 23-month period revealed that "Time
works against people who experience a distress but are not on a flight plan, since 36 hours normally pass before
family concern initiates an (alert)."
g. VFR Search and Rescue Protection.
1. To receive this valuable protection, file a VFR or DVFR Flight Plan with an FAA FSS. For maximum
protection, file only to the point of first intended landing, and refile for each leg to final destination. When a
lengthy flight plan is filed, with several stops en route and an ETE to final destination, a mishap could occur on
any leg, and unless other information is received, it is probable that no one would start looking for you until 30
minutes after your ETA at your final destination.
2. If you land at a location other than the intended destination, report the landing to the nearest FAA FSS
and advise them of your original destination.
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.
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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.
Emergency Services Available to Pilots 6-2-7

NO.
NO.
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FIG 6-2-1
Ground-Air Visual Code for Use by Survivors
NO. MESSAGEMESSAGE CODE SYMBOLCODE SYMBOL
1 Require assistanceRequire assistance V
2 Require medical assistanceRequire medical assistance X
3 No or NegativeNo or Negative N
4 Yes or AffirmativeYes or Affirmative Y
5 Proceeding in this directionProceeding in this direction
IF IN DOUBT, USE INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLIF IN DOUBT, USE INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL S O S
INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS
1. Lay out symbols by using strips of fabric or parachutes, pieces of wood, stones, or any available material.
2. Provide as much color contrast as possible between material used for symbols and background against which symbols are exposed.
3. Symbols should be at least 10 feet high or larger. Care should be taken to lay out symbols exactly as shown.
4. In addition to using symbols, every effort is to be made to attract attention by means of radio, flares, smoke, or other available means.
5. On snow covered ground, signals can be made by dragging, shoveling or tramping. Depressed areas forming symbols will
appear black from the air.
6. Pilot should acknowledge message by rocking wings from side to side.
FIG 6-2-2
Ground-Air Visual Code for use by Ground Search Parties
CODE SYMBOLCODE SYMBOLNO. MESSAGEMESSAGE
1 Operation completed.Operation completed. L L L
2 L LWe have found all personnel.We have found all personnel.
3 We have found only some personnel.We have found only some personnel.
We are not able to continue.We are not able to continue.4 X XReturning to base.Returning to base.
Have divided into two groups.Have divided into two groups.5 Each proceeding in direction indicated.Each proceeding in direction indicated.
6 Information received that aircraft is in this direction.Information received that aircraft is in this direction.
7 Nothing found. Will continue search.Nothing found. Will continue search. N N
Note: These visual signals have been accepted for international use and appear in Annex 12 to the Convention on International
Civil Aviation.
Emergency Services Available to Pilots6-2-8

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FIG 6-2-3
Urgent Medical Assistance
NEED MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE-URGENT
Used only when life is at stake
NEED MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE-URGENT
Used only when life is at stake
FIG 6-2-4
All OK
ALL OK-DO NOT WAIT
Wave one arm overhead
ALL OK-DO NOT WAIT
Wave one arm overhead
Emergency Services Available to Pilots 6-2-9

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FIG 6-2-5
Short Delay
CAN PROCEED SHORTLY
WAIT IF PRACTICABLE
One arm horizontal
CAN PROCEED SHORTLY
WAIT IF PRACTICABLE
One arm horizontal
FIG 6-2-6
Long Delay
NEED MECHANICAL HELP
OR PARTS - LONG DELAY
Both arms horizontal
NEED MECHANICAL HELP
OR PARTS - LONG DELAY
Both arms horizontal
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FIG 6-2-7
Drop Message
Make throwing motion
FIG 6-2-8
Receiver Operates
OUR RECEIVER IS
OPERATING
Cup hands over ears
OUR RECEIVER IS
OPERATING
Cup hands over ears
Emergency Services Available to Pilots 6-2-11

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FIG 6-2-9
Do Not Land Here
DO NOT ATTEMPT
TO LAND HERE
Both arms waved across face
DO NOT ATTEMPT
TO LAND HERE
Both arms waved across face
FIG 6-2-10
Land Here
LAND HERE
Both arms forward horizontally,
squatting and point in direction
of landing - Repeat
LAND HERE
Both arms forward horizontally,
squatting and point in direction
of landing - Repeat
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FIG 6-2-11
Negative (Ground)
NEGATIVE (NO)
White cloth waved horizontally
NEGATIVE (NO)
White cloth waved horizontally
FIG 6-2-12
Affirmative (Ground)
AFFIRMATIVE (YES)
White cloth waved vertically
AFFIRMATIVE (YES)
White cloth waved vertically
Emergency Services Available to Pilots 6-2-13

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FIG 6-2-13
Pick Us Up
PICK US UP-
PLANE ABANDONED
Both arms vertical
PICK US UP-
PLANE ABANDONED
Both arms vertical
FIG 6-2-14
Affirmative (Aircraft)
Affirmative reply from aircraft:
AFFIRMATIVE (YES)
Dip nose of plane several times
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FIG 6-2-15
Negative (Aircraft)
Negative reply from aircraft:Negative reply from aircraft:
NEGATIVE (NO)NEGATIVE (NO)
Fishtail planeFishtail plane
FIG 6-2-16
Message received and understood (Aircraft)
Message received and understood by aircraft:Message received and understood by aircraft:
Day or moonlight - Rocking wingsDay or moonlight - Rocking wings
Night - Green flashed from signal lampNight - Green flashed from signal lamp
Emergency Services Available to Pilots 6-2-15

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6-2-16 Emergency Services Available to Pilots
FIG 6-2-17

Message received and NOT understood (Aircraft)
Message received and NOT understood by aircraft:
Day or moonlight - Making a complete right-hand circle
Night-Red flashes from signal lamp.
Message received and NOT understood by aircraft:
Day or moonlight - Making a complete right-hand circle
Night-Red flashes from signal lamp.

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Section 3. Distress and Urgency Procedures