What action should be taken if radio communications with the PIC are lost?

What action should be taken if radio communications with the PIC are lost?

• A. Continue as planned and hope for the best.
• B. Divert to the nearest airport immediately.
• C. Report to ATC and wait for instructions.
• D. Do whatever is necessary to re-establish communication.

Answer: (D)

When radio contact is lost, the priority is to restore two-way communication. The best approach is to take whatever steps are necessary to re-establish that contact with ATC or the appropriate facility. This means actively trying to reach them on the primary frequency, switching to alternate frequencies if needed, and using the emergency/guard channel if necessary, while you continue to fly under the standard lost-communication procedures (follow the last assigned clearance, then the expected route and altitude, and plan to land at a suitable airport as soon as practical if contact isn’t reestablished). Once contact is rejoined, follow ATC instructions. The other options don’t emphasize actively regaining communication and could lead to unsafe decisions.

When radio contact is lost, the priority is to restore two-way communication. The best approach is to take whatever steps are necessary to re-establish that contact with ATC or the appropriate facility. This means actively trying to reach them on the primary frequency, switching to alternate frequencies if needed, and using the emergency/guard channel if necessary, while you continue to fly under the standard lost-communication procedures (follow the last assigned clearance, then the expected route and altitude, and plan to land at a suitable airport as soon as practical if contact isn’t reestablished). Once contact is rejoined, follow ATC instructions. The other options don’t emphasize actively regaining communication and could lead to unsafe decisions.