Why Did My Spider Generate A False SOS?

There are 2 situations where a Spider will generate an SOS.

 

Situation 1.

The Spider is set up in Automated Watch or the pilot accidentally activated Watch and the Spider has lost power either or because it was not turned off correctly.

Our Support team will help you check the setup of your Spider and its settings if needed, the following information is what we will typically check;

1. Check the Spiders reporting settings is Automated Watch selected?
2. Check the track, what colour is it? If Automated Watch was not selected but the track is blue, the pilot could have inadvertently pressed Watch button on the Spider.
3. Were there any long gaps between points? This could mean that there is a GPS or power issue with the Spider. Could it be being blocked from transmitting from objects in the cockpit, including electrically heated windows, or is the power intermittent?

Talk to the pilot, and ask what happened?

1. Did the pilot turn off Watch?
2. for older models of Spiders had the blue LED finished flashing before shutting down?

If you feel that you would like our Support Team to have a look into the alert, it is helpful to provide as much information as possible, you will be asked;

• To supply the Spider serial number and aircraft it is assigned to.
• A photograph of the installation and position of the Spider.
• How is the Spider connected to the power supply, is it hardwired directly or are you using the cigar plug?
• Are the connections between the aircraft and unit securely in?
• Do you use any other GPS units or Sat phones in the cockpit?
• Has the pilot noticed anything with the LEDs on the unit, are they lit all of the time?
• What type of aircraft do you have your Spider in and does this aircraft have electrical heated windows?
• During the flights could there/has there been anything placed on top of the Spider?

 

Situation 2.

The pilot has pressed the red SOS button.

1. Ascertain why he pushed the button, was it an accident?

2. Check what you can do to stop this happening in the future.

If you can provide as much of this information up front it saves a lot of time and we can resolve your problem a lot faster, contact [e-mail] for help.