Lost Aircraft Procedures
Getting lost is a terrifying experience, but with training, utilizing 'the five Cs,' you can protect yourself.
Introduction
Introduction
- Lost aircraft procedures can be simplified down to five simple steps called "The 5 C's"
- Note, this page does not pertain to remotely-piloted aircraft system lost communications
Resources Available if Lost
Resources Available if Lost
- The aviation environment is full of resources available to pilots
- The most obvious resource is air traffic control radar services, which include:
- Basic radar services
- Radar Traffic Information Service, also known as flight following
- Additionally, pilots may reach out to control entities which include tower, approach, and center
- Air traffic control may ask you to squawk a distinct transponder code which controllers can use to identify the pilot if under radar contact
- Pilots may also consider using their electronic flight bag resources to find the nearest airport or navaid, which can help identify where a pilot is in relation to a known point
- Finding prominent landmarks provides pilots with another resource to determine their location
- Pilots may consider broadcasting on a known frequency or guard
- Pilot: "Any station, [Callsign] lost, request assistance"
Five C's
Five C's
-
Circle:
- If able, you want to minimize your travel so you can orient to the location without anything changing and not get any further off track
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Confess:
- Admit that you are lost and need some form of assistance
- Write down the time you determine you are lost
- Avoid stressing out and convincing yourself you are lost when maybe you are not
-
Climb:
- "Climb to cope"
- Ceiling and visibility permitting climb to improve radio reception (comm and NAVAID) and forward visibility
- Be sure not to fly around aimlessly, circle if required during a climb
-
Conserve:
- Operate the aircraft (when straight and level) at maximum endurance power setting
- When oriented, fly max range
- Check your fuel state and determine how much time you have
-
Communicate:
- Request assistance on the area working frequency
- Try to communicate using all available channels and NAVAIDs
- If unable try calling an approach control frequency with a PAN report and request vectors
- If unable to receive any reply, switch to guard and deliver a PAN report
- If required set transponder 7700
- If ATC responds then comply with instructions
- UHF: "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, [Callsign], [Situation], [Position], [Intention] PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN"
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Comply:
- If you are attempting to land at a strange field, circle it at a safe altitude and locate all obstacles and hazards
- Determine the wind direction and duty runway and get a rough estimate of runway length and width
- Try to contact the tower on guard prior to landing
- Use the best estimation of pattern altitude
- Never fly above overcast layers
Methods to Determine Position
Methods to Determine Position
- Circle and climb of the five C's give us time and perspective to determine our position
- Circling allows us to take stock of our area, looking for prominent landmarks to reference on a sectional
- Climbing allows to see further, but also allows for better reception of ground-based navigation aids, whereby a pilot could find a bearing from a station and maybe also determine distance to narrow down position
Lost Aircraft Procedure
Lost Aircraft Procedure
- Maintain positive aircraft control at all times
- Remain calm
- Conserve fuel by leaning the engine for the best economy operation and reduce power as much as practical
- Maintain situational awareness, using a sectional chart and NAVAIDs as follows:
-
Sectional:
- Reset the heading indicator (HI)
- Turn the sectional chart to match your heading
- Watch for prominent landmarks
- Match the landmarks to the sectional chart
- Obtain assistance from ATC or FSS
- If unable to establish contact with anyone, squawk 7700 and transmit "in the blind" on 121.50 MHz to obtain assistance
- Carefully monitor the amount of fuel and make a precautionary landing, preferably at an airport, before exhausting the fuel supply
-
Lost Aircraft Procedures Common Errors
Lost Aircraft Procedures Common Errors
- Failure to find a prominent landmark from which to calibrate position on sectional chart
- Failure to monitor and subsequently conserve fuel
- Improper calculations
- Not turning toward an airport
- Not having the heading indicator set to the Magnetic Compass
- Failure to have sufficient altitude to gain a better view of the terrain
- Failure to utilize the radio aids to assist in determining position
- Failure to ask for assistance if unable to determine position
Private Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Airman Certification Standards
Private Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with lost procedures and can take appropriate steps to achieve a satisfactory outcome if lost
- References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); VFR Navigation Charts
Private Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.VI.D.K1:
Methods to determine position. -
PA.VI.D.K2:
Assistance available if lost (e.g., radar services, communication procedures).
Private Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:-
PA.VI.D.R1:
Collision hazards. -
PA.VI.D.R2:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
PA.VI.D.R3:
Recording times over waypoints. -
PA.VI.D.R4:
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Lost Procedures Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.VI.D.S1:
Use an appropriate method to determine position. -
PA.VI.D.S2:
Maintain an appropriate heading and climb as necessary. -
PA.VI.D.S3:
Identify prominent landmarks. -
PA.VI.D.S5:
Select an appropriate course of action.
Conclusion
Conclusion
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References
References