You do need a revised search image. In the sunny skies of Arizona, you often can see lots glittery bits, spread a over the landscape that behave as impromptu and random signal mirrors - in open terrain. I vividly remember one WWII bomber which flew into dense trees on the Mogollon Rim. It was never seen from the air and was not found until many years later by a ground party - the fuselage, minus wings, was actually fairly intact.

I am rather naive about the electronic aspects of aerial search. I take it that the older type of beacon does not act as a homing beacon that leads you to the scene. Is power limited such that a signal is only sent for a limited time?

Since 406 is now the standard, how does one get away with using obsolete equipment?