Robert expressed the frustration that many of us felt at Moriarty that we could not find Joe for approx 24 hours. In addition to SPOT, InReach, Flarm files from other gliders, radar tracks (if transponder equipped), cell phone data perhaps, is there any other device or technology out there that we are missing to help find a missing pilot & glider?

PLBs and hand-held radios can work if the pilot is conscious and can hit the "button," but if the pilot is incapacitated that obviously will not work. Steve mentioned that the SPOT (or a Delorme InReach) needs to be operational, in tracking mode and in a location to transmit to a satellite(s), for it to work. Unfortunately, if it is under debris, for example, it will not help and we would have to rely on the last SPOT or InReach transmission (which is what we did in this case).

So, with its limitations, is an ELT the only other possible answer? At Moriarty we hope this never happens again, but if it does, we want to make sure that we are using the proper methodology and every bit of modern technology to help find a missing pilot and glider quickly.

All ideas and suggestions are welcome...

Thanks,
Renny Rozzoni
Moriarty, NM


On Friday, June 5, 2015 at 10:09:05 PM UTC-6, Robert M wrote:
On Friday, June 5, 2015 at 7:53:13 PM UTC-6, Tim Taylor wrote:
Very sad news. Any details on what happened?

Speculation only so far. Perhaps an autopsy will reveal if medical issues were a factor.

What I find most alarming is that in this time of so many electronic gadgets available why it took about 24 hours to locate the crash site. Granted it was in a very remote area but for electronic signals that should not matter.

Spot up dates set at even 5 min. can have a crashed glider quite some distance away from the last update.
At low altitudes in remote areas radar coverage is likely non existent.
A medical emergency can preclude activating a PLB.
What solution remains?

I have been told an ELT is not the answer because in a crash the antenna can be torn off. Maybe, maybe not. The violence of the crash may render the ELT unit inoperative or it may not. Is the chance 50/50? I'll take that over zero percent. At least this is a device that is designed to operate as the result of a crash. What else is there?

The new 406Mhz units may be too difficult to mount in many gliders, that is a big drawback and they are not low cost. I believe rescue organizations can still monitor the older 121.5 Mhz ELTs.

Is there an answer to my question of what device would have allowed this glider to be located in a few hours instead of about 24 hrs?

Robert Mudd
Moriarty, New Mexico