Third Time Lucky

Zone 1 Lethbridge, has had 3 actual search events so far. The first, back on 07 Jun 15, unfortunately did not yield any result, as the ELT went silent. Nevertheless we tried very hard and it was an experience we will all remember. It is my belief that the same ELT was found two weeks later by a Red Deer crew. An old plane in a hangar perhaps set it off by high temperatures.

Our second actual on 08 Aug 15, was resolved in about 15 minutes. Turned out to be an airplane at CYQL that was airborne locally and was quickly determined to have an active ELT on board. The plane was requested to return to CYQL and land. The ELT was turned off and the problem was solved.

Our third actual, occurred on the evening of 20 Aug 15. Crews where called to search for an ELT. The call from JRCC Trenton, came in at about 15:30 hr local and we were airborne with one plane and a ground team by 16:50 hr local. By 20:00 hr local, 3 hours and 10 minutes later, the ELT was located and turned off under the supervision of our ground team. As the Zone Commander, I am very proud of the team effort involved in finding this ELT. The owner of the airplane was very surprised to see a CASARA ground team in his yard and learn that CASARA is very much active in Southern Alberta. I am sure he will be checking his plane every time he is doing maintenance or flying, to ensure we will never have to tell him it is his ELT that has alerted the Canadian Search and Rescue system.