Gaelyne Gasson wrote in a message to David Read:

Hi Gaylene

 GG>  The other worry is when flying in USA over absolutely NO
 GG> water at all,  they tell you that the seat can be used as
 GG> floatation device. 

Ahhh...yes...that's to use between your bum and the ground when it comes up
and belts you.

Flying in the Orions over water, you have to wear a lifejacket *under* your
parachute harness. 
The jacket does have a *radio* beacon attached as standard Bob .

Once on exercise we got a call from maritime ops in Canberra...apparently a
full SAR alert was called when a jacket beacon transmission was picked up.
Turned out to be on the rack in the aircrew gear room next door!
. They apparently are not powered by water battery.

Dunno how far down the runway the SAR bird got back at Edinburgh before
they did a triangulation :)

  David 

    RAAF - the service where the troops send the officers out to fight.
---