Stay Vigilant and Watch For Missing Aircraft (B.C.)

British Columbia is home to some of the most ruggedly beautiful and unforgiving terrain on earth. As pilots we are fortunate to have this vast landscape to fly in. With rugged remote wilderness and mountains comes an enhanced need to be prepared and to have a set of plans and backup plans to:

1. Reach the destination.
2. Divert to an alternate airport.
3. Increase the chances of being found should an en-route accident occur. 

There are currently several open files of missing aircraft in British Columbia. This article serves to provide some basic information on the routes that they were flying and also gives some tips and information on how to increase your chances of being found.  

​On September 22, 2018 we had the opportunity to sit down with BCGA Member and CASARA Deputy BC Director Fred Carey to discuss some of the work that CASARA does and he shared some valuable information and tips that pilots flying in British Columbia should know.

In our conversation with Fred Carey of CASARA we were reminded that once a search is initiated, the primary focus will be on the flight planned route. If the pilot indicates that they will fly direct, then the initial search will be concentrated on the direct path from the departure point to the intended destination considering any last known position. 

If the pilots indicate, on the flight plan that they will follow the published Mountain VFR Route then the search will be focused on the published VFR Route.

The searchers will consider the possibility that the pilot deviated from the filed routing however, deviating from the intended routing significantly reduces the chances of being found. 

When it comes to flight planning:

1. File a Flight Plan.
2. Ensure the routing is specific.
3. When possible follow the published Mountain VFR Route (Details to follow).
4. Notify the FIC or ATC of any changes to the filed routing.
5. File an updated and detailed position report with the FIC or ATC every 30mins to update your last known position.
6. If you reverse course or divert for any reason notify the FIC or ATC immediately.
7. Close your flight plan as soon as possible after landing.

Mountain VFR Routes are published on the VFR maps for British Columbia and are depicted using a string of purple diamonds on the chart. It goes without saying that the fastest route from Point A to Point B is a straight line and published Mountain VFR Routes may add some time and distance to your flight.  It is your choice as the pilot in command to fly whichever route you prefer however we ask that you consider the following:

Advantages of published VFR routes:

1. Often follow highways or roads that make emergency landings possible.
2. Often link small towns. 
3. Often follow the lowest and widest valleys.
4. Often provides an escape route or room to turn around.
5. Offers a predictable path for searchers to follow.
6. Higher likelihood of other aircraft flying the same route.
7. Cellphone reception in remote areas favours towns, major highways and roads.
8. Often associated with better radar coverage.

CASARA’s Fred Carey is retired from a major cellular provider and has some unique insights on how your cell phone can help you be found. 

Fred shared that there are cellular towers scattered all over the province in order to optimize cellular coverage. Priority cellular coverage is given to municipalities, major highways and roads. It just so happens that the VFR routes give you the best chance of having cellular coverage. Why is this important?

The software in your cellphone is programmed to “check-in” with or search for the nearest cellular tower at certain intervals. For the purpose of this article lets say every 15-30 minutes. When your cell phone checks in with a cellular tower also referred to as a “ping” the approximate location of your phone is recorded and stored for 24-48hours. 

This data could prove critical when it comes to a search and rescue effort. In some cases where the cellphone pinged a tower not only can the specific tower be identified but the quadrant from that tower can be identified which assists in narrowing a search area. 

Leaving your cell phone on isn’t a magical solution but it is one more tool that could help you be found. When asked about the practice of turning the phone off to save battery, Fred advised to leave it on when possible as LTE signals are entirely digital and use very little battery. If necessary carry a battery pack and keep your phone charged, turned on and with cellular mode enabled.

That said, a fully charged cell phone is still not a replacement for an ELT or GPS tracker. 

Here is a list of things that you can do to greatly increase your chances of being found in the event that your aircraft is reported overdue in British Columbia’s remote wilderness. 

1. File an accurate flight plan and keep it updated.
2. Follow the VFR route when possible.
3. Ensure your ELT is in good working order. (406Mhz will reduce the search time).
4. Use a GPS Tracker with the most frequent tracking interval that you can afford.
5. Keep your cell phone turned on and out of airplane mode.
6. Carry a survival kit that you are familiar with and practice signalling techniques.

If you are able to utilize all six items on this list you will greatly increase that chances that you are found.

Searches for missing aircraft are the responsibility of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and involve the Canadian Forces, CASARA, the RCMP and Ground Search and Rescue teams. These agencies are specially trained in search techniques and safe operation in challenging mountainous terrain. They receive regular training and are the only groups that are sanctioned to conduct official searches.

General Aviation pilots are asked to keep an eye out for any evidence of missing aircraft while out flying. If any evidence of a missing aircraft is seen they should call the local RCMP or notify the FIC. 

CASARA and the BCGA ask that pilots refrain from conducting searches and limit their efforts to keeping a vigilant eye out during flights that happen to be over the routes taken by the missing aircraft.

September 14, 2018
Vans RV6
Edmonton – Chilliwack
Last Known Position: 5nm NE of Blue River

June 8, 2017
Piper PA28
Cranbrook – Kamloops
​Last Known Position: Cranbrook Airport