AIM 

4/20/23 

(a) 

Your position at the time the signal was first heard. 

(b) 

Your position at the time the signal was last heard. 

(c) 

Your position at maximum signal strength. 

(d) 

Your flight altitudes and frequency on which the emergency signal was heard: 121.5 MHz or 243.0 

MHz. If possible, positions should be given relative to a navigation aid. If the aircraft has homing equipment, 

provide the bearing to the emergency signal with each reported position. 

6

−

2

−

5.  FAA K

−

9 Explosives Detection Team Program 

a. 

The FAA’s Office of Civil Aviation Security Operations manages the FAA K

−

9 Explosives Detection Team 

Program which was established in 1972. Through a unique agreement with law enforcement agencies and airport 

authorities, the FAA has strategically placed FAA

−

certified K

−

9 teams (a team is one handler and one dog) at 

airports throughout the country. If a bomb threat is received while an aircraft is in flight, the aircraft can be 

directed to an airport with this capability. The FAA provides initial and refresher training for all handlers, 

provides single purpose explosive detector dogs, and requires that each team is annually evaluated in five areas 

for FAA certification: aircraft (widebody and narrowbody), vehicles, terminal, freight (cargo), and luggage. 

If 

you desire this service, notify your company or an FAA air traffic control facility. 

b. 

The following list shows the locations of current FAA K

−

9 teams: 

TBL 6

−

2

−

1 

FAA Sponsored Explosives Detection Dog/Handler Team Locations 

Airport Symbol 

Location 

ATL 

Atlanta, Georgia 

BHM 

Birmingham, Alabama 

BOS 

Boston, Massachusetts 

BUF 

Buffalo, New York 

CLT 

Charlotte, North Carolina 

ORD 

Chicago, Illinois 

CVG 

Cincinnati, Ohio 

DFW 

Dallas, Texas 

DEN 

Denver, Colorado 

DTW 

Detroit, Michigan 

IAH 

Houston, Texas 

JAX 

Jacksonville, Florida 

MCI 

Kansas City, Missouri 

LAX 

Los Angeles, California 

MEM 

Memphis, Tennessee 

Airport Symbol 

Location 

MIA 

Miami, Florida 

MKE 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

MSY 

New Orleans, Louisiana

 MCO 

Orlando, Florida 

PHX 

Phoenix, Arizona 

PIT 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

PDX 

Portland, Oregon 

SLC 

Salt Lake City, Utah 

SFO 

San Francisco, California 

SJU 

San Juan, Puerto Rico 

SEA 

Seattle, Washington 

STL 

St. Louis, Missouri 

TUS 

Tucson, Arizona 

TUL 

Tulsa, Oklahoma 

c. 

If due to weather or other considerations an aircraft with a suspected hidden explosive problem were to land 

or intended to land at an airport other than those listed in b above, it is recommended that they call the FAA’s 

Washington Operations Center (telephone 202

−

267

−

3333, if appropriate) or have an air traffic facility with 

which you can communicate contact the above center requesting assistance. 

6

−

2

−

6.  Search and Rescue 

a.  General. 

SAR is a lifesaving service provided through the combined efforts of the federal agencies 

signatory to the National SAR Plan, and the agencies responsible for SAR within each state. Operational 

resources are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, DoD components, the Civil Air Patrol, the Coast Guard 

Auxiliary, state, county and local law enforcement and other public safety agencies, and private volunteer 

6

−

2

−

4 

Emergency Services Available to Pilots