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Section 2.  Emergency Services Available to Pilots

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1.  Radar Service for VFR Aircraft in Difficulty

a.

Radar equipped ATC facilities can provide radar assistance and
navigation service (vectors) to VFR aircraft

in difficulty when the pilot can talk with the controller, and the
aircraft is within radar coverage. Pilots should

clearly understand that authorization to proceed in accordance with
such radar navigational assistance does not

constitute authorization for the pilot to violate CFRs. In effect, assi
stance is provided on the basis that

navigational guidance information is advisory in nature, and the
responsibility for flying the aircraft safely

remains with the pilot.

b.

Experience has shown that many pilots who are not qualified for
instrument flight cannot maintain control

of their aircraft when they encounter clouds or other reduced
visibility conditions. In many cases, the controller

will not know whether flight into instrument conditions will result
from ATC instructions. To avoid possible

hazards resulting from being vectored into IFR conditions, a pilot
in difficulty should keep the controller advised

of the current weather conditions being encountered and the weather
along the course ahead and observe the

following:

If a course of action is available which will permit flight and a safe
landing in VFR weather conditions,

noninstrument rated pilots should choose the VFR condition rather than
requesting a vector or approach that will

take them into IFR weather conditions; or

If continued flight in VFR conditions is not possible, the
noninstrument rated pilot should so advise the

controller and indicating the lack of an instrument rating, declare a

distress

 condition; or

If the pilot is instrument rated and current, and the aircraft is
instrument equipped, the pilot should so

indicate by requesting an IFR flight clearance. Assistance will then be
provided on the basis that the aircraft can

operate safely in IFR weather conditions.

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2.  Transponder Emergency Operation

a.

When a

distress

or

urgency

 condition is encountered, the pilot of an aircraft with a coded radar
beacon

transponder, who desires to alert a ground radar facility, should
squawk Mode 3/A, Code 7700/Emergency and

Mode C altitude reporting and then immediately establish communications
with the ATC facility.

b.

Radar facilities are equipped so that Code 7700 normally triggers an
alarm or special indicator at all control

positions. Pilots should understand that they might not be within a
radar coverage area. Therefore, they should

continue squawking Code 7700 and establish radio communications as soon
as possible.

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3.  Intercept and Escort

a.

The concept of airborne intercept and escort is based on the Search and
Rescue (SAR) aircraft establishing

visual and/or electronic contact with an aircraft in difficulty,
providing in-flight assistance, and escorting it to

a safe landing. If bailout, crash landing or ditching becomes
necessary, SAR operations can be conducted without

delay. For most incidents, particularly those occurring at night and/or
during instrument flight conditions, the

availability of intercept and escort services will depend on the
proximity of SAR units with suitable aircraft on

alert for immediate dispatch. In limited circumstances, other aircraft
flying in the vicinity of an aircraft in

difficulty can provide these services.

b.

If specifically requested by a pilot in difficulty or if a

distress

 condition is declared, SAR coordinators

will

take steps to intercept and escort an aircraft. Steps may be initiated
for intercept and escort if an

urgency

 condition

is declared and unusual circumstances make such action advisable.

c.

It is the pilot's prerogative to refuse intercept and escort services.
Escort services will normally be provided

to the nearest adequate airport. Should the pilot receiving escort
services continue onto another location after

Emergency Services Available to Pilots

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