You have sent a visual signal to an aircraft. The aircraft then flies over your position on a straight course and level altitude. What should you do?
• International distress signals and what an aircraft’s actions can mean • Difference between acknowledging a signal and taking further action • Why conserving signals and resources can matter in search and rescue
• If an aircraft has clearly seen you and flies directly over you on a steady course, what is that likely telling you about your signal? • Would sending additional or repeated signals change anything if the aircraft has already acknowledged your position? • Think about standard SAR (search and rescue) procedures: after an initial acknowledgment from an aircraft, what is the safest, most logical thing for a vessel in distress to do?
• Verify what a steady straight course and level altitude pass over your position usually indicates in SAR communications. • Consider which option involves unnecessary maneuvering that might complicate your situation or the search pattern. • Eliminate any choice that requires you to assume a specific type of recovery method (like helicopter pickup) that has not actually been indicated.
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