What area does an ALNOT search include?

An ALNOT search, or Alert Notice search, is initiated when an aircraft fails to arrive at its intended destination without any communication from the pilots. The correct choice refers to the search area being defined as 50 miles on either side of the route of flight, extending from the last reported position to the destination.

This search area is crucial because it accounts for the aircraft's potential drift off its intended path due to factors like wind or mechanical issues. Given that the aircraft should ideally be following a specific flight route, focusing the search along this route, combined with the half-hull distance of 50 miles to each side, maximizes the chances of locating the aircraft.

Other options specify distances around the last known position, the destination airport, or the departure point, but they do not align with the protocol for conducting an ALNOT search, which prioritizes the area along the flight path to facilitate a more effective search operation.