IFR LOST COMMUNICATIONS
Updated: Dec 8, 2020
IFR Lost Communications Lesson by wifiCFI
Lost Comms
What should a pilot on an instrument flight do when he/she experiences lost comms? (FAR 91.185)
Selecting the Route to Fly
VFR Conditions
If lost comms is experienced in VFR conditions, the pilot should remain in VFR conditions and proceed to the nearest suitable airport for landing.
If VFR conditions are experienced anytime after comms are lost, the pilot should remain in VFR conditions and proceed to the nearest suitable airport for landing.
IFR Conditions - AVEF
If lost comms is experienced in instrument conditions, follow the steps below in order!
A: Assigned Route
Fly whatever route ATC last assigned.
If a route has not been assigned, then…
V: Vector
Fly the last vector received from ATC to join a route segment.
If a vector to route segment has not been assigned, then…
E: Expected Route
Fly the route ATC has advised the pilot to expect.
If an expected route has not been received, then…
F: Filed Route
Fly the route filed in the flight plan.
Selecting the Altitude to Fly
IFR Conditions - MEA
If lost comms is experienced in instrument conditions, select the highest of the following altitudes for each new leg segment.
M: Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA)
E: Expected Altitude
A: Assigned Altitude
Arriving at the Clearance Limit
When the Clearance Limit is a point from which an approach begins:
If an EFC (Expect Further Clearance Time) has been received…
Commence descent and approach as close as possible to the EFC time received.
When the Clearance Limit is a point from which an approach begins:
If an EFC (Expect Further Clearance Time) has not been received…
Commence descent and approach as close as possible to the ETA time filed or amended.
When the Clearance Limit is not a point from which an approach begins:
If an EFC (Expect Further Clearance Time) has been received…
Leave clearance limit at EFC time and proceed to a fix from which an instrument approach begins.
When the Clearance Limit is not a point from which an approach begins:
If an EFC (Expect Further Clearance Time) has not been received…
Leave clearance limit and proceed to a fix from which an approach begins. Then commence descent as close as possible to ETA.
FAA Sources Used for This Lesson
Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91