Minimum Required Information
After Initiating Action, Obtain as Necessary
Aircraft identification and type
Aircraft altitude
Nature of the emergency
Fuel remaining in time
Pilot's desires
Pilot reported weather
Pilot capability for IFR flight
Time and place of last known
position
Heading since last known position
Airspeed
Navigation equipment capability
NAVAID signals received
Visible landmarks
Aircraft color
Number of people on board
Point of departure and destination
Emergency equipment on board
Table 10-2 -- Emergency assistance requirements
Aircraft orientation
Orientate an aircraft by the means most appropriate to the circumstances. Recognized
methods include:
RADAR
Direction Finder (DF)
NAVAIDs
Pilotage
Sighting by other aircraft
Emergency Frequencies
Although the frequency in use or other frequencies assigned by ATC are preferable, the
emergency frequencies can be used for distress and urgency communications if
necessary or desirable.
121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz (note that 121.5 is one-half of 243.0) have a range generally
limited to line of sight. 121.5 MHz is guarded (monitored) by DF stations and some
military and civil aircraft. 243.0 MHz is guarded by military aircraft. Both 121.5 MHz and
243.0 MHz are guarded by military towers, most civil towers, Flight Service Stations
(FSS), and RADAR facilities. Normally, Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
emergency frequency capability does not extend to RADAR coverage limits.
10-16