Automatically activated rescue radio and associated method

A combination of a transportation and communication system for an aircrew member, the combination comprising:

• an aircraft comprising:
• a cockpit for receiving the aircrew member,
• an ejection seat within the cockpit, wherein the ejection seat is operative for having the aircrew member strapped thereto, and the ejection seat is further operative for being ejected from the cockpit with the aircrew member, and
• a transceiver mounted to the aircraft and operative to emit a reply signal in response to an interrogatory signal;
• and
• a radio that is carried by the aircrew member and is operative to be automatically activated in response to the aircrew member being ejected from the aircraft via the ejection seat, the radio comprising:
• an accelerometer system that is operative for generating an actuation signal in response to the radio being accelerated at a rate that is at least as great as a predetermined acceleration value,
• an interrogator that is operative for transmitting the interrogatory signal and further operative for receiving the reply signal only when the radio is proximate to the transceiver, and
• a beacon transmitter that:
• transmits a beacon signal in response to the accelerometer generating the actuation signal if the interrogator fails to substantially receive the reply signal, whereby the beacon signal is transmitted when the radio has been ejected from the aircraft, and
• refrains from transmitting the beacon signal in response to the accelerometer system generating the actuation signal if the interrogator substantially receives the reply signal, whereby no beacon signal is transmitted when the radio is still within the cockpit.

A method for identifying movement of an object away from a location, the method comprising:

• determining whether the object has accelerated;
• transmitting an interrogatory signal from the object in response to determining that the object has accelerated;
• determining if the object is in the location, the determining step comprising the step of determining if a reply signal from the location is received at the object in response to the interrogatory signal;
• and
• transmitting a beacon if the interrogatory signal has been transmitted and substantially no reply signal is received at the object.