Perhaps best known for its search and rescue efforts, CAP flies more than 85 percent of all federal inland search-and-rescue missions. Nearly 100 people are saved each year by CAP members!
The Polaris Squadron routinely performs the following search and rescue missions:
- ELT Response- When an Emergency Locator Transmitter is detected (either by another aircraft, FAA facility, or in the case of the new 406MHz beacons, by satellite), the Rescue Coordinate Center (RCC) can task us to locate the aircraft and provide assistance if required.
- Overdue Aircraft Response- Similar to an ELT search, the RCC can task us to search for aircraft who activated a flight plan, but never closed it. Because the electronic signal of an ELT may not have been detected these searches typically start with a route search along the filed route of flight.
- Guardian Angel Flights- These are routine flights flown over highly used routes. Even though there is no specific report of distress, the aircrew monitor the emergency frequency and keeps a vigilant eye out the windows of the aircraft for possible persons in distress.
