Abstract: An automatic inflation system for use as an emergency locating system which is activated by the severance of an initiator wire which in turn begins the operation of a transmitter and a timer. Following a period of time as determined by the timer, a pair of electrically activated pyrotechnic thrusters are actuated and cause the rupture of seals on a pair of compressed gas storage cylinders which in turn results in the inflation of two sections of a twin mast, raising a radio antenna and radar reflective material. A radio transmitter is also activated at the start of the time delay with an emergency locating signal broadcast from the antenna, after the mast is raised. This system provides improved means of locating missing equipment when searched for by radio search, radar search, and/or visual search.