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  #11  
Old 12-29-2011, 04:32 AM
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NickAir NickAir is offline
 
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Three, (3) is a standard for International Distress.

3 shots, spaced apart. As mentioned, not rapid fire.

3 of anything you can arrange in a triangle. This will include, but not limited to, 3 fires, 3 piles of contrasting debris, 3 logs, 3 lines forming a triangle of any contrasting colored material, etc.

This distress issue of "3" is prudent because the arrangement of 3 is not something that occurs often naturally and stands out. Think about varied terrain such as: Beach, wilderness, desert, field, meadow, landing, ridge, valley, etc. If you happen to glance down and see three fires in a triangle, it should alert you as to a form of signaling distress. It is old school but still applies because search and rescue personel know this. Also mentioned is the other international distress sign of an, "X."

Three fires are very easy to see for a long distance in clear sky. You will stay warm 360 degrees in the middle of three fires. Other benefits to this option are three fires help keep a perimeter around you and keep bad creatures away from you. Also the upkeep to keep three fires will keep you active, busy and thinking. Three fires around your plane is ideal for rescue spotters looking for you as well as the ability to use your wonderful Van's RV for shelter and a sleeping area.
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Last edited by NickAir : 01-08-2012 at 06:45 PM. Reason: Add
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  #12  
Old 12-29-2011, 08:46 AM
Phlyan Pan Phlyan Pan is offline
 
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Perhaps he meant SAR pilots are trained to recognize this signal. It certainly wasn't part of my private pilot training.

I have taken hunter safety though, and they do teach that signal. I've also seen/read it in various "survival" shows and books.
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  #13  
Old 12-29-2011, 08:58 AM
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Radomir Radomir is offline
 
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First one is for "What was that?"

Second one for "Where is it coming from?"

Third one for "Ah, there it is!"

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  #14  
Old 12-29-2011, 09:33 AM
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I train other CAP mission pilots and I always tell them to look for something of three in a triangle although unfortunately it is not in any of our training materials. Learned it from a survival course.
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  #15  
Old 12-29-2011, 09:46 AM
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dmaib dmaib is offline
 
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OUCH! (ankle photo)

I have not heard of looking for 3's in any pilot training that I can recall.
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Last edited by dmaib : 12-29-2011 at 09:49 AM.
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  #16  
Old 12-29-2011, 12:03 PM
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Oh ****! I'm on my third wife now...

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  #17  
Old 12-29-2011, 07:22 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
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Suppose you're flying an RV-3?

Dave

P.S. -

More seriously, I start monitoring myself as I head out to the airport and do the preflight and get ready to fly. If I forget or screw up three things, I figure I'm better off not flying that day.
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  #18  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:29 PM
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aarvig aarvig is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hydroguy2 View Post
as a pilot, then no I haven't heard that. but as a hunter education instructor, we too taught this same thing. Specifically 3 short spaced shots..after dark is a rescue signal. be careful when you use it

little story: 3 seasons ago, I was mule deer hunting the rugged Missouri Breaks with my son-in-law Dan & his cousin, Nathan. We were split up by 1/2 mile or so and I heard 3 shots come from the drainage I had just recently climbed out of. I went back to the rim and started glassing, ready for a big buck to possibly come my way or wondering what they got into. A short time later I spot one of them waving and thinking "**** it better be a monster buck, before I go back down there". Anyway I drop my gun and start down. Nathan is running towards me screaming. Dan had a severe dislocation of his ankle. Deep in the bottom, no way he was walking out. Anyway, 3 shots I ignored as distress signal...because it was daylight and we WERE hunting.

Here's 4 hrs later when we arrived at the hospital.

Ummm...OUCH. I'll bet the real ouch was when they set that sucker.
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  #19  
Old 01-06-2012, 07:50 AM
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Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NickAir View Post
This distress issue of "3" is prudent because the arrangement of 3 is not something that occurs often naturally and stands out. Think about varied terrain such as: Beach, wilderness, dessert, field, meadow, landing, ridge, valley, etc.
Three desserts is definitely a distress signal for my waistline!
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  #20  
Old 01-08-2012, 06:51 PM
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NickAir NickAir is offline
 
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It has been corrected. Good catch Greg. Thanks.
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Tailwinds...

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
Leonardo Da Vinci

Working on a RV-4
Citabria 7GCBC
Cessna 180
RV7 I0-360 C/S, Slider, AP, Glass, etc. sold.
RV6 O-320 F/P, Slider, AP, Steam, etc., sold
Citabria 7KCAB rental
Piper Cherokee, sold
Sparrowhawk, sold

Proud -VAF- Supporter - Exempt, Dues Paid Anyway.
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