Touchy subject - notifying next of kin... What if?

[DarkHelmet]

What do you do to make sure that when you are found your next of kin gets the news before they read it in the paper?

Does your airfield have a contact list?

Big D and I fly together the most but he is the only person that currently has my softness' number. However - I solo a lot without the Big one...

What if?

[kb]

DH, not to hi jack your thread,m it's a very valuable point. Where I work, if we are not back within allowed flight time plus 15 mins, unless there has been comms, (radio, sms etc) then the other pilot goes looking.

Barry, I recomended exactly that at "another" airfield, and was promptly told that it wouldn't work, as guys were too lax to write it in, and also when flying, you might change your route, which we ALL do. I always let someone on the ground know where I am going, and ETA. I also feel alot more comfortable when there are others on the radio, in the area. Barry, you know how quiet the radio is in the berg, but having someone out there, albiet in Ladysmith does make it a wee bit better. The other day, I had to do a precautionary, and made my intentions known on the radio, followed by "will call when safely on the ground". You'd be surprised how nice it was that someone replied and said that they would standby and wait for my call.

OK DH, thread back to you.

[Aerosan]

This is a very valid point, but I fly alone from a farm and most of the times Im not sure where Im going.
So what I do is too put the Ducs nr in as a last call. Should something go wrong Ill just press the call button and with a bit of luck I can shout my location and or intentions to him. If it all happens too fast they might be able to pick up my last location I know that it isnt the best plan but under the circumstance it is the best

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I file a flight plan with wifey (family) and if she not heard from me by x time she fones, sms and I get in K@K for not reporting in. If any changes to it I just SMS new plans & eta. Low level the cell works very well as (I have used it as high as FL115, but then only close to big metro area's).

I usually sms every 30min (or if major change in route) where I am. It leaves a trail to follow especially if I divert due to WX which has happened plenty lately. Again slightly different for me as I am going from A to B, but am sure if on flight round the patch something like you would give ATC of your intentions on SMS to someone will help if they need to come find you. "Going flying at Harties, tea at Xwinds. 2hrs. Eta 18.30. Endurance 3 hrs. Then if plans change sms again. No one needs to respond, but if you are late there is a trail.

Maybe a pay as you goer locked in Demon's safe which has route and any other info on it. SMS's can be deleted off the fone when you arrive back at base? Same idea as whiteboard just higher tech and allows for en route changes. Works very well for me, but obviously someone gotta have a look at the SMS's else it useless...

This was one of my en route SMS's when I went to play with Rietties boys.
"At Carltonville - Demon n boys at Harties. Going to play. Will be Rand at 6ish. Routing north of Harties, then to Xwinds & Rand."

Wx Delay
"At Potch having Mr Delivery Pizza watching Carltonville being pounded to death (Hail). Will sms when airborne here with eta, else go back or to Coves and come home tomorrow."

WX routing
Am at Vdorp. WX Baie K@K. Routing N via Coves, FAGC then Rand. If not get through will sleep at Coves. WX open that way. Can see dam. I then SMS'd over Coves, at FAGC and finally when landed at Rand.

Everybody happy and thy know where to come looking.

In light of recent coastal tragedies when I flying with family to coast for eg I sms my old man vectors and times to the VOR beacons every 30min. Easier than gps co-ords. (Just press nrst and go to VOR). I give time, beacon, bearing, distance and heading. (Something like 14.57Z BDV 245deg 32.5nm head 242deg.) If they need to come looking they know where to start. He is PPL so knows what it means...

Bottom line is do something. Anything better than nothing.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Anyone used the look for me with Vodacom while in air? May also be an option?

At last years Race of champions they used a web based GPS device to track all the competitors online realtime. Maybe that a long term solution vs a personal ELT?