SAR Grid User Guide
Conventional search grid lookup, quarter-grid selection, GPS location, map modes, offline use, and ForeFlight handoff.
App Store: SAR Grid is available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.
Conventional search grid lookup, quarter-grid selection, GPS location, map modes, offline use, and ForeFlight handoff.
SAR Grid is an iOS reference app for viewing and identifying conventional search grids across the continental United States. It is designed for quick pre-sortie familiarization, mission planning discussion, and grid handoff to other flight planning tools.
The app supports conventional sectional search grids only. Cell grid support is intentionally omitted in the initial release.
SAR Grid opens at a national map level so you can see the full conventional grid layout without first choosing a sectional. Grid labels are drawn directly on the map and become more detailed as you zoom in.
CYS1 or DEN333B.A, B, C, and D.The detail panel shows the selected grid name, sectional name, quarter-grid sector when selected, and the north, south, west, and east grid boundaries.
There are several ways to set the current grid. The selected grid updates the map focus, detail panel, visible boundaries, and ForeFlight handoff target.
Enter a conventional grid designation in the search field, then tap the search button. SAR Grid accepts major grid and subgrid style entries and updates the displayed grid information when a match is found.
Use All to view the selected grid as a whole, or choose A, B, C, or D to focus on a quarter-grid sector.
Tap the location button to center the map on your current GPS position. When location is available, SAR Grid updates the selected grid information for your position and displays your GPS latitude and longitude near the app mark on the map.
iOS asks for location permission the first time the app needs your position. Allow location access if you want SAR Grid to center on your location and identify your current grid.
SAR Grid uses location on-device to show your position, coordinates, and current grid. It does not require an account and is not designed to transmit, sell, or share your location.
Tap the ForeFlight button to send the selected grid or quarter-grid boundary route to ForeFlight when ForeFlight is installed on the device.
SAR Grid can copy the route details so they can be pasted or shared manually. ForeFlight installation is required for the direct app-to-app handoff.
SAR Grid bundles the conventional grid data needed for lookup and display, so grid identification does not depend on downloading sectional definitions at runtime.
Base map imagery is provided by Apple Maps. Map tiles may require connectivity unless the relevant map area is already cached by the system. For field use, open and inspect the expected area before leaving reliable connectivity.
Tap, long press, double tap, search, or use the location button to explicitly set the current grid. Panning the map by itself does not necessarily change the selected grid.
Grid data may still be available offline, but Apple Maps imagery may not be cached for that area. Reconnect to the network and reopen the area to refresh map tiles.
SAR Grid is an independent product and is not endorsed by or affiliated with Civil Air Patrol. ForeFlight is a separate third-party product and is required only for direct ForeFlight handoff.