Instrument rating · ACS IR.VII.A · Instructor lesson plan

Loss of Communications

Student pack: Train: Loss of Communications · Full lesson: Prepare guide

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1 · Objective

By the end of this lesson your student can explain loss of communications in their own words, apply it in a realistic situation, and fly it to the ACS standard for IR.VII.A.

Why it matters for safety: Lost communications in cloud feels like an emergency, but the rules are designed so that ATC can predict what you will do and keep everyone else away. Knowing the 91.185 sequence cold turns a frightening silence into a planned flight, and recognizing a simple fix (a volume knob, a headset plug) often ends it in seconds.

2 · Assign before the lesson

Pre-work: the free Train pack, Loss of Communications. Squawk 7600, try to get them back, then the 91.185 route, altitude and approach timing.

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Pack: pilotprep.pro/train/ifr/loss-of-communications · Full lesson: pilotprep.pro/prepare/ifr/loss-of-communications

3 · Teach sequence

Key points to land

Squawk 7600 and try to re-establish contact: check the radio and headset, try the last frequency, the next one, Flight Service, 121.5, or a relay.(AIM 6-4-1, Two-way Radio Communications Failure)
If you’re in VFR conditions or get into them, stay VFR and land as soon as practicable.(14 CFR 91.185)
In IFR conditions, route AVEF: the Assigned route; if being radar vectored, direct from the point of radio failure to the fix, route or airway you were vectored toward; in the absence of an assigned route, the route ATC said to Expect; in the absence of that, as Filed.(14 CFR 91.185)
Altitude, for each segment, the highest of: the last assigned; the minimum altitude for IFR on that segment (the MEA, or a MOCA, MCA or 91.177 altitude where those apply); or the altitude ATC said to expect, once you reach the time or fix given for it. An expected lower altitude never authorizes a descent.(14 CFR 91.185)
If the clearance limit is where an approach begins, start the descent and approach as close as possible to the EFC, or with no EFC, to your ETA (departure time plus the filed or amended time en route). Arriving early, hold there until that time.(14 CFR 91.185)
If the clearance limit isn’t where an approach starts, leave it at the EFC (or on arrival if none), go to an approach fix, and start the descent and approach as close as possible to your ETA.(14 CFR 91.185)

Recognize and try to fix it

Causes: a radio or electrical failure, a stuck mic, the wrong frequency, volume or squelch, a headset problem, or flying out of range.(AIM 6-4-1, Two-way Radio Communications Failure)
Aviate first: fly the airplane or engage the autopilot. Then the simple checks: volume, squelch, the audio panel, the headset jack, the other radio and the last frequency. Don't keep resetting a tripped circuit breaker.(AIM 6-4-1, Two-way Radio Communications Failure)
Try Flight Service, 121.5, another aircraft to relay, or a phone if you have signal. Listen on a VOR frequency; ATC may transmit there.(AIM 6-4-1, Two-way Radio Communications Failure)
Squawk 7600 so ATC knows.(AIM 6-4-1, Two-way Radio Communications Failure)

The 91.185 plan

VFR conditions: continue VFR and land as soon as practicable. That doesn’t mean "at once"; it means the first sensible airport.(14 CFR 91.185)
Route: the assigned route; if vectored, direct from the point of radio failure to the fix, route or airway you were vectored toward; in the absence of an assigned route, the route ATC said to expect; in the absence of that, the filed route.(14 CFR 91.185)
Altitude, for each segment: the highest of the last assigned, the minimum IFR altitude for the segment, or the expected altitude once you reach the time or fix where it applies. Climb to a higher expected altitude only then; it doesn't apply before.(14 CFR 91.185)
Approach timing: at an approach fix, begin descent and the approach as close as possible to the EFC, or if none, to the ETA from departure time plus the filed or amended time en route; hold if you get there early. At a clearance limit that isn't an approach fix, leave it at the EFC (or on arrival) and start the approach as close as possible to the ETA.(14 CFR 91.185)
Follow 91.185 so ATC can predict you, unless an emergency requires you to deviate (91.3(b)). You decide whether the failure is an emergency, and use good judgment in situations the rule doesn't cover.(AIM 6-4-1, Two-way Radio Communications Failure; 14 CFR 91.3(b))

Watch for in the airplane: Your instructor watches for quick troubleshooting, 7600, a clear statement of route and altitude for each segment, and the right approach time.

4 · Ask your student

In order: recall, then understanding, then applying it. Move up only when the answer shows it.

Recall · What does AVEF stand for?
A strong answer: Assigned, Vectored, Expected, Filed: the order for the lost-comms route.
Understand · Why fly the highest of assigned, MEA and expected?
A strong answer: It keeps me clear of terrain (the MEA) and where ATC protects airspace for me (assigned or expected), so they can keep other traffic away.
Apply · Cleared to 6,000, told to expect 8,000 ten minutes after departure, MEA 5,000. You lose comms right after takeoff in IMC. What altitude do you fly?
A strong answer: 6,000 until ten minutes after departure (the highest of assigned 6,000 and the 5,000 MEA), then climb to 8,000 because it's now the highest. Not earlier: the expected altitude applies only from that time. If a later segment has a higher minimum altitude, I climb to that.

Scenarios to talk through

You lose comms in IMC while being vectored to the final approach course. What route do you fly?
Sound decision: Direct from the point of radio failure to the fix, route or airway I was being vectored toward, then the approach, at the highest of assigned and minimum IFR altitudes.
Silence for 5 minutes; then you notice the audio panel switched to COM 2. What now?
Sound decision: Switch back, call ATC, apologize and confirm the clearance. A simple fix first.
You break out into clear VFR conditions halfway to your destination with no radio. What do you do?
Sound decision: Stay VFR and land as soon as practicable.

5 · Common student errors

Panicking into a diversion.
Why it matters: ATC can’t predict you.
How to correct it: Follow 91.185 unless safety requires otherwise.
Using the wrong altitude.
Why it matters: Terrain or traffic.
How to correct it: Highest of assigned, MEA, expected, per segment.
Skipping simple checks.
Why it matters: Most "lost comms" is a switch or a plug.
How to correct it: Check volume, audio panel, headset first.

6 · Completion standard

Recognize a simulated loss of communication, simulate actions to re-establish it, decide whether to continue or divert, and determine when to begin an approach.
Your student answers each "Ask your student" question in their own words, up to the Apply level, without prompting.
They talk through the scenarios and reach a safe, legal decision, explaining why.
They complete the pack’s quick check and can say what they flagged.

Area trained? Close out with a practice oral focused on IR.VII.A: pilotprep.pro/exam?exam=IFR&focus=IR.VII.A

7 · References

14 CFR, 91.185
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), 6-4-1
Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), Area VII
Airman Certification Standards, task IR.VII.A

PilotPrep instructor lesson plan, from the Loss of Communications lesson (checked against current FAA sources 2026-11-13). A study and teaching aid, not FAA guidance; teach to your own judgment and the current ACS.