GEN 3.6 — Search and Rescue (SAR)
Responsible Authority
Search and Rescue services within the Damascus FIR are coordinated by the Syrian Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Damascus), operated under the authority of GACA in accordance with ICAO Annex 12 — Search and Rescue.
SAR Contact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| RCC Name | Damascus RCC |
| Location | Damascus International Airport (OSDI) |
| AFTN Address | OSDIZQZX |
| Operating Hours | H24 |
| Emergency Frequency | 121.500 MHz |
SAR Procedures
SAR operations follow the three-phase alert system in accordance with ICAO Annex 12:
- INCERFA (Uncertainty Phase): Activated when doubt exists about the safety of an aircraft or its occupants
- ALERFA (Alert Phase): Activated when there is apprehension regarding the safety of an aircraft
- DETRESFA (Distress Phase): Activated when there is reasonable certainty that an aircraft is in distress
Pilots experiencing distress should transmit on 121.500 MHz and set transponder Code 7700. All aircraft within the Damascus FIR are encouraged to maintain a listening watch on 121.500 MHz.
Procedures and signals used
Procedures for pilots-in-command observing an accident or intercepting a distress transmission are set out in ICAO Annex 12, Chapter 5. Distress and urgency communications are handled in accordance with Annex 10, Volume II, paragraph 5.3. Codes and abbreviations used for SAR communications are contained in ICAO Doc 8400.
For the locations, call signs, frequencies and hours of aeronautical stations, consult ENR 2.1 and the applicable aerodrome AD 2.18.