- The aviation environment is full of resources available to pilots
- The most obvious resource is air traffic control radar services, which include:
- 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"
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- 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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- 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
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- "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
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- 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
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- 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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- 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
- 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
- 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:
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- Reset the heading indicator (HI)
- Turn the sectional chart to match your heading
- Watch for prominent landmarks
- Match the landmarks to the sectional chart
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- Reset the heading indicator
- Tune and identify an available VOR and/or NDB station
- Locate the aircraft position using radials/bearings
- Plot a course to proceed directly to the destination or to intercept the planned course as appropriate
- Use the GPS:
- Use NRST to locate the nearest airport or VOR, or
- Use the moving map
- 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
- 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
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:
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Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
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Recording times over waypoints.
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When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
The applicant exhibits the skill to:
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Use an appropriate method to determine position.
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Maintain an appropriate heading and climb as necessary.
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Identify prominent landmarks.
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Select an appropriate course of action.
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