But False Signals May Lead To Unnecessary Searches

In the wake of a July 10 glider accident (that, fortunately, ended with the pilot being recovered safely), the British Gliding Association is said to be "very seriously" considering recommending the installation of emergency locator transmitter (ELT) beacons in gliders and other unpowered aircraft.

As Aero-News reported last week, pilot John Russell, 64 was trapped in the wreckage of his glider for more than 24 hours, after he went down near Braemar, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on Monday. He was finally found by an RAF search crew following a search covering 1,000 sq. miles.

Britain's InjuryWatch.co reports Russell was not carrying a locator beacon -- and that was the difference between a quick rescue, and an arduous wait.

"Had the pilot been carrying one of these devices, he would have been found more quickly," said Keith Auchterlonie, of the British Gliding Association (BGA). "But the disadvantage with these things is they can sometimes go off by accident, causing unnecessary searches."

Two helicopters, three RAF Tornados and mountain rescue teams were all involved in the search for Russell, after he failed to report back to his base in Aboyne. Russell was participating in the Deeside Gliding Club's "Competition Enterprise" event.

FMI: www.gliding.co.uk