How are airplane pilots trained to respond to ground distress signals (smoke, flares, rock formations)?

Question

How are airplane pilots trained to respond to ground distress signals (smoke, flares, rock formations)?

In: 1

Answer 1

Typical jet pilots are too high to see ground signals. Small propeller plane pilots and general aviation pilots are lower and slower and have reported airplanes down or plane crashes to ATC.

Unless there is a search and rescue mission, I don’t think pilots are trained nor are they looking for distress signals.