Originally Posted by tom11011

Doesn't matter, it is not an emergency. For example, the lost comm procedure only has you squawk 7600. It used to be back in olden times you squawked 7700 for one minute (an emergency) then 7600 for 15 minutes, then back to 7700. By changing this 15 or 20 years ago, they are clearly signalling it is no longer to be considered an emergency.

The FAA doesn't make policy on what is allowed on 121.5, the FCC does under 87.173. Their policy plainly says "121.500 MHz be used solely for emergency and distress purposes. The FAA continually monitors 121.500 MHz and treats any distress call received as an emergency to be investigated immediately."

Therefore controllers will be in violation for trying to locate airplanes who are not responding to their assigned frequencies, its just not an emergency.

I think they should change the rules to allow controllers to locate aircraft on 121.5 but I don't really have a say.