What is the radius of a VS for an aircraft?

• A. 1 min at search speed
• B. 2 times W
• C. 2 times (W), or 1 min at search speed
• D. W

Answer: (C)

In a Visual Search around an aircraft, you want a radius that reliably covers the search area on both sides of your flight path. That radius ends up being twice the strip width you’re using (2W), ensuring you can see targets within W miles to either side. It’s also convenient to express that same distance as the distance you would fly in one minute at your current search speed, because distance equals speed times time. So the radius can be described as 2W, or equivalently as 1 minute’s worth of flight at the search speed. This dual expression links the geometric coverage (the 2W radius) with practical flight timing (time at speed), which is why that option is the best choice.