C/S G.003 - INTRODUCTION TO THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM Issue 7

The Performance Parameters, which are identified in Annex C of the Cospas-Sarsat Strategic Plan, and which are to be monitored under the Cospas-Sarsat QMS are:

·         Global Coverage,

·         Automatic Beacon Activation,

·         Timely Alerting, and

·         Beacon Location Accuracy.

Each of these parameters is described in more detail in the following sections. There are some additional performance parameters that are implemented by design, or that are the responsibility of the Administrations that regulate the distress beacons, which are not monitored by the Cospas-Sarsat QMS system on a recurring basis.

In addition, some new performance requirements for the support of RLS beacons and Distress Tracking beacons are addressed in the last sections of this section.