Commercial pilot · ACS CA.VI.D
Lost Procedures
A lost procedure is a calm sequence: fly the airplane first, then the Five Cs (Climb, Communicate, Confess, Comply, Conserve), while there's still fuel and daylight to choose.
Why this one matters
Being lost isn't the danger; what pilots do while lost is: wandering at low altitude, burning fuel, flying into weather or darkness, too embarrassed to ask for help. A commercial pilot with passengers has more reason, not less, to call ATC early. Radar can find you in seconds.
Can’t miss
- •Fly the airplane first: steady heading and altitude, no wandering in search of landmarks.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
- •Climb if you can safely: you'll see farther and get better radio, navigation and radar coverage.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
- •Start from the last known position and time: heading, groundspeed and elapsed time give a circle of probable position.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
- •Use every tool: GPS, VOR cross-bearings, prominent landmarks, ATC radar.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
- •The Five Cs, after flying the airplane: Climb (see farther, better radio and radar); Communicate and Confess (tell ATC or Flight Service you're lost); Comply (follow their vectors and instructions); Conserve (reduce to maximum-endurance power and lean per the POH).(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
- •Declare an emergency when fuel, weather, daylight or your own state is deteriorating: priority now, paperwork later.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
- •Any one of low fuel, fading daylight, weather or terrain is enough: land at a suitable airport. If you'd land with less than the 91.151 reserve (30 minutes by day, 45 at night), land now.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A); 14 CFR 91.151)
What you should know
Finding your position K1 · R3
- Recorded checkpoint times are your lifeline: from the last known point, heading, groundspeed and elapsed time give a circle of probable position.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
- Look for large, unmistakable features (a lake, a highway interchange, a river bend, a city) and match them to the chart, not the other way round.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
- Use GPS if it's working. With VORs: tune and identify each, center the needle with a FROM flag to read the radial, note the time, and take the second radial promptly (or circle a landmark while you plot), because radials taken minutes apart cross where you were, not where you are.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
- Hold a steady heading while you start working the position, or deliberately circle over an identifiable landmark while you plot and talk. The mistake is pressing on along a guessed heading or turning aimlessly.(PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation)
Getting help K2 · R4
- Call the nearest approach control or center (frequencies on the chart), or Flight Service; ATC radar can identify you and give vectors, and Flight Service can give direction-finding help. If you're already talking to ATC, stay on that frequency and keep your assigned code with Mode C.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
- The call: "Pan-pan" three times for urgency, "Mayday" three times for distress; then your call sign and type, the problem, your last known position and time, heading since, altitude, fuel remaining, people aboard and the help you want.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
- Can't raise anyone promptly, or it's distress or urgency? Use 121.5 MHz and squawk 7700. Being unsure of your position alone doesn't require leaving a frequency where ATC is already helping you.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
- Declare an emergency when fuel, weather, daylight or your own state is getting worse; you get priority and help immediately.(AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures)
Staying safe while lost R1 · R2
- Being lost pulls your eyes to the chart and the screen: keep scanning for traffic and terrain, and keep the airplane level and trimmed.(AC 90-48, Pilots' Role in Collision Avoidance)
- Stress narrows attention: slow down, fly the airplane, then work the position methodically, then decide.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))
On the flight
ACS standards
- Use an appropriate method to determine position; maintain an appropriate heading and climb as necessary; identify prominent landmarks.(Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B), CA.VI.D.S1-S3)
- Use navigation systems or contact ATC for assistance; select an appropriate course of action.(Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B), CA.VI.D.S4-S5)
What your instructor is watching for
Your instructor watches for steady control first, a climb if appropriate, a methodical position fix from the last known point, use of every navigation aid, and an early, clear call to ATC.
Scenarios
Decide what you would do first, then see the worked answer.
Your GPS failed and you've missed two checkpoints.
What's your first step? See the worked answer
Fly a steady heading, note the time, and work out a probable position from the last known checkpoint, heading and groundspeed. Then look for a large feature.
PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation
You can receive two VORs.
How do you find your position? See the worked answer
Tune and identify each; center each needle with a FROM indication to read the radial, noting the time; take the second one promptly; plot both. Where they cross is your position at that time.
PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25C), Navigation
You don't want to admit to ATC that you're lost.
What's the risk? See the worked answer
Delay burns fuel and daylight. ATC helps lost pilots routinely; asking early is good airmanship.
AIM, Chapter 6, Emergency Procedures
Common mistakes
Wandering in circles.
It burns fuel and makes the position harder to work out.
Instead: Hold a heading and work methodically.
Waiting to ask for help.
Options shrink with fuel and daylight.
Instead: Call ATC early.
Forcing a landmark to fit the chart.
It confirms a wrong position.
Instead: Find a feature that only fits one place.
Now train it
Say it out loud, hear it asked, and take the quick check in this lesson’s practice pack. It tracks your shaky spots.
Got it?
When it feels solid, practice lost procedures out loud with our examiner.
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Teaching this? The instructor lesson plan →
Sources
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C): Navigation; Flight Instruments
- Advanced Avionics Handbook (FAA-H-8083-6)
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): Chapters 1, 4, 6 and 7
- 14 CFR Part 91: 91.3, 91.103, 91.123, 91.151, 91.171, 91.215, 91.225
- AC 90-48 and AC 91-78
- Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B): Area VI
Study aid, not FAA guidance. Regulations change; check the current text at eCFR and the ACS. Checked against current sources 2026-11-13.