Section B. Air Observer Sector Search Assignments

 
Introduction
 The PIC is usually provided with instructions on the assigned search pattern to be flown from the SMC or On-Scene Commander (OSC).  If not, the PIC should work with the crew to determine a pattern including leg directions and track spacing.  Based upon the pattern selected, the visibility from the aircraft, and the number of observers aboard, specific relative sectors should have been assigned to each observer prior to the start of the mission as discussed in this section.
 
B.1.  Seating
 Auxiliary aircraft are typically light aircraft with one or two engines and seats for 2 to 6 persons.
 
B.2.  Two-Place Aircraft
 In two-place aircraft, the seats may be tandem (one behind the other) or side-by-side.  For tandem seating, the air observer should be assigned to cover both sides alternately.  In a side-by-side, two-place aircraft, the pilot scans outside the left side of the aircraft as well as ahead looking for other aircraft.  The observer in the right seat is assigned to scan ahead and right of the aircraft.  (see Figure 4-1)
 
B.3.  Four-Place Aircraft
 Many four-place aircraft are operated with two or three persons onboard.  When only two persons are onboard, coverage is the same as for a two-place, side-by-side aircraft.  When three persons are onboard, the observer in the rear seat should be assigned the position behind the pilot.  The rear seat observer search sector should cover as much of the left side of the aircraft as possible.  In high-wing aircraft, this may be a sector approaching 180 degrees in arc.  In low-wing aircraft, the air observer in the rear seat may only be able to effectively search behind the wing.  If the piloting duties are to be shifted between occupants of the two front seats, loading of the aircraft should be planned to permit the rear seat observer to cover either side by shifting seat position.  (see Figure 4-2)
When all four seats are utilized (see Figure 4-3), the observer in the right rear seat covers the right side of the aircraft from abeam to full aft.  The right front seat observer will cover the sector forward of the wing.  Observers should coordinate the exact overlap depending on the geometry of the particular aircraft.  Some overlap of coverage between the front and rear seat observers can be beneficial in the search.
 
B.4.  Additional Observation Positions
 For aircraft facilities with greater than four observation positions, sectors should be assigned depending upon each position’s viewing angle.  The sectors may overlap, but this is not objectionable since it will improve the probability of detection (POD).
 

 
Observation Sectors With Two-Person Crew
　
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