Ground-to-Air Signals

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There is no more helpless feeling in the world than sitting in some remote, inaccessible back-of-beyond place waiting for a plane to come and find you!

Perhaps you've been injured. Perhaps you've arranged for an airdrop of supplies. Perhaps you're going on one of those remote Alaskan trips where you get flown in and out.

Even if you've arranged everything in detail and you think you are exactly where you are supposed to be, it can be hard for a pilot to spot you from the air.

Here's how to improve your chances of being seen.

Build a fire, the smokier the better. If the wood is too dry to smoke, drizzle water on it.

Use a signaling mirror. This is one of the most common techniques for ground-to-air signals. There's probably a mirror on your compass; you can also try the face of a watch, the blade of a knife, sunglasses, or an aluminum windscreen. Here's the technique. Shut one eye. Hold your thumb up (as if you were testing the direction of the wind) and point it to the thing you intend to signal. Hold the mirror (or other shiny surface) facing away from you, as near as you can to your open eye. Direct the mirror so that the reflection of sunlight flickers on the tip of the thumb of your outstretched hand. Wiggle the mirror. You should be flashing sunlight directly at your target. Practice with this technique before you actually need to use it. In the field, continue flashing the signal until you have gotten some response (like a dip in the wings of a plane).

Know and use accepted ground-to-air signals (Hint: If you have an opportunity, go over these with the pilot while making your preliminary arrangements.) These signals need to be LARGE to be seen from the air: 812 feet is not too big. Timber and stones can be used, but brightly colored gear is better because it is more visible. The more contrast between the material you use and the ground, the better.