Pilot's tip of the week

I’m Lost…Now What?

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Subscriber question:

"I fly with ForeFlight on my iPad for navigation and use my iPhone for backup. The other day while flying, I had both devices quit working (not my day). I know it's highly unusual to get lost with the electronics we have in modern cockpits, but it got me thinking...what should you do if you get lost?"- Larry R.

Bob:

“First and most important – don’t panic. Your aircraft will respond normally. It does not know you are lost.

Climb – remove the fear of running into terrain or obstacles. (It also helps you find familiar landmarks and extends the range of radio communications.)

Communicate – get ATC involved as soon as possible. 121.5 (the aircraft emergency frequency) works in the absence of a local frequency.

Confess – tell ATC exactly what’s going on and request assistance. If low fuel is an issue let ATC know immediately.

Comply – follow ATC’s instructions. They know what to do to get you on the ground safely. Don’t compound your situation!

Use all available resources. Navaids, other pilots, situational awareness.

I know of a student pilot who crashed his airplane making an off-airport landing after he got lost. There were three airports within ten minutes of his off-airport landing site.

Think! Don’t panic.”

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #82 “A Stand-Up Emergency” is now available. It’s the beginning of a long flight when the engine informs you it has other plans. Now the windscreen is covered with oil and you must act fast. Do you have time to return to your departure airport? If so, how will you approach and land given your forward visibility just dropped to zero? Watch the Intro video.

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