Lost Procedures

Objective

The student will demonstrate knowledge of lost procedures and execute appropriate actions when aircraft position is uncertain, in accordance with FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.VII.D. Upon completion, the student will select appropriate courses of action, use position-determining methods, maintain appropriate headings, identify landmarks, and utilize available assistance to regain positive navigation, meeting all ACS performance and knowledge standards.

Content

Determining Position When Lost (PH.VII.D.K1)

Position determination begins with the acronym STOP: Stop what you’re doing, Think about your situation, Orient yourself using available resources, Proceed with a plan. Think of being lost like being in a maze - panic makes you run in circles, but methodical analysis gets you out.

Primary Methods:

• Pilotage: Use sectional charts to match visible landmarks with charted features. Look for unique combinations - a highway intersection next to a lake, a distinctive tower configuration, or railroad tracks following a specific pattern
• Dead Reckoning: Calculate position based on last known position, heading, time, and groundspeed. If you flew 090° for 15 minutes at 80 knots groundspeed, you’re approximately 20 nautical miles east of your last known position
• VOR Triangulation: Use two or more VOR stations to plot radials and determine position at their intersection
• GPS: If equipped, GPS provides immediate position information, but verify against visual landmarks when possible

Secondary Methods:

• Radio Navigation: Use NDB bearings, GPS waypoints, or other electronic navigation aids
• Celestial References: Sun position can provide general direction (rises in east, sets in west, south at midday)

Available Assistance When Lost (PH.VII.D.K2)

Flight Service Station (FSS) - 1-800-WX-BRIEF:

• Provide radar assistance if within radar coverage
• Help with position determination using VOR radials
• Weather information and routing assistance
• File flight plans or close existing plans

Air Traffic Control Facilities:

• Approach Control: Radar identification and vectors to nearest airport
• Center: Long-range radar coverage, can provide position and vectors
• Tower: Limited to airport vicinity but can relay information

Emergency Frequencies:

• 121.5 MHz: Emergency frequency monitored by all ATC facilities
• 243.0 MHz: Military emergency frequency

Radar Services Process:

1. Squawk 7700 for emergency or 1200 if uncertain of position only
2. Contact ATC: “Mayday/Pan-pan, [aircraft call sign], helicopter, lost, request assistance”
3. Provide: Aircraft type, position uncertainty, fuel remaining, souls on board, pilot qualifications
4. Follow ATC vectors and instructions

Per 14 CFR 91.3, the pilot in command has final authority and responsibility for aircraft operation, including accepting or declining ATC assistance.

Deteriorating Weather and Fuel Considerations (PH.VII.D.K3)

Weather Deterioration: Helicopters are particularly vulnerable to deteriorating visibility due to our low altitude operations. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft that can climb above weather, helicopters must often navigate around or through weather systems.

Warning Signs:

• Decreasing visibility or ceiling
• Increasing precipitation
• Darkening clouds ahead
• Temperature/dew point convergence indicating fog potential
• Turbulence or wind shifts

Actions:

• Turn around immediately if weather ahead looks questionable
• Land and wait if deterioration continues
• Contact FSS for weather updates and alternate routes
• Consider precautionary landing before weather becomes critical

Fuel Exhaustion Considerations: Calculate fuel consumption against distance to destination. Helicopters typically consume 15-25 gallons per hour depending on type and conditions.

Fuel Planning Formula:

• Usable fuel ÷ consumption rate = flight time available
• Always maintain 30-minute fuel reserve per 14 CFR 91.151
• If lost with less than 45 minutes fuel remaining, declare emergency

Risk Management Elements

Collision Hazards (PH.VII.D.R1): Being lost often leads to flying in unfamiliar areas at low altitudes. Increased collision risks include:

• Terrain and obstacles not on sectional charts
• Other aircraft in traffic patterns of unknown airports
• Agricultural aircraft operating below 500 feet AGL
• Maintain vigilant lookout and consider climbing for better visibility and obstacle clearance

Distractions and Loss of Situational Awareness (PH.VII.D.R2): Lost procedures can become consuming. Like a driver lost in traffic checking their phone while moving, pilots often become heads-down with charts while continuing to fly. Prioritize:

1. Aviate - maintain aircraft control and altitude
2. Navigate - determine position and course of action
3. Communicate - seek assistance when appropriate

Recording Times Over Waypoints (PH.VII.D.R3): Accurate time logs provide essential dead reckoning data. Record:

• Departure time from last known position
• Headings flown and duration
• Groundspeed estimates based on wind conditions
• Any course changes and reasons

Declaring Emergency (PH.VII.D.R4): Per 14 CFR 91.3, declare emergency when:

• Fuel remaining less than 30 minutes
• Weather conditions deteriorating below safe flight minimums
• Lost with insufficient landmarks for position determination
• Any combination of factors threatening safety

Use “Mayday” for immediate danger, “Pan-pan” for urgency without immediate danger.

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-S-ACS-15 Private Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards
• FAA-H-8083-21B Helicopter Flying Handbook
• FAA-H-8083-25B Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
• Current sectional charts for local area
• Plotter and navigation computer

Materials:

• Whiteboard/markers for pilotage demonstrations
• Sample flight logs with realistic scenarios
• Timer for dead reckoning calculations
• VOR practice charts if available

Visual Aids:

• Sectional chart examples showing various landmarks
• Sample ATC communication scripts
• Fuel consumption calculation worksheets
• Lost procedure checklist

Instructor Actions

1. Present realistic lost scenario: “You’ve been flying cross-country and realize the landmarks don’t match your chart. Your last positive position fix was 20 minutes ago.”

2. Demonstrate STOP procedure systematically, thinking aloud through each step to show decision-making process.

3. Show pilotage technique using sectional chart: identify unique landmark combinations and demonstrate chart-to-ground correlation methods.

4. Calculate dead reckoning position using last known position, heading, time, and estimated groundspeed, involving student in calculations.

5. Demonstrate proper ATC communication procedures, including initial contact phraseology and information to provide.

6. Role-play as ATC facility providing radar assistance and vectors to show what student can expect.

7. Present weather deterioration scenario and demonstrate decision-making process for continuing versus landing.

8. Show fuel consumption calculations and demonstrate when to declare emergency based on remaining fuel.

9. Guide student through multiple practice scenarios of increasing complexity, providing coaching and feedback.

10. Debrief each scenario emphasizing risk management decisions and successful techniques used.

Student Actions

1. Analyze presented lost scenarios and identify appropriate first actions using STOP procedure.

2. Practice pilotage using sectional charts to determine position based on visible landmarks provided by instructor.

3. Calculate dead reckoning positions using navigation computer and demonstrate understanding of heading/time/distance relationships.

4. Practice ATC communication procedures using proper phraseology for requesting assistance when lost.

5. Identify decision points for weather deterioration and fuel exhaustion scenarios.

6. Demonstrate appropriate heading selection and altitude changes for lost procedures.

7. Use navigation systems and identify prominent landmarks as directed by instructor scenarios.

8. Make decisions about when to seek assistance or declare emergency in various deteriorating situations.

9. Complete multiple practice scenarios demonstrating progressive improvement in lost procedure execution.

10. Verbalize risk management considerations throughout all practice exercises.

Completion Standards

The student demonstrates satisfactory performance meeting FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.VII.D standards when they:

Knowledge (K1-K3):

• Explain at least three methods to determine position when lost with specific procedures for each method
• Describe available assistance including appropriate ATC facilities and communication procedures per 14 CFR 91.183
• Identify decision criteria for deteriorating weather and fuel exhaustion situations per 14 CFR 91.151

Risk Management (R1-R4):

• Identify collision hazards specific to lost scenarios and state mitigation strategies
• Demonstrate task prioritization preventing loss of situational awareness during lost procedures
• Explain importance of recording waypoint times and demonstrate proper logkeeping
• State specific criteria for declaring emergency and demonstrate proper phraseology

Skills (S1-S5):

• Select appropriate course of action within 2 minutes of recognizing lost condition (S1)
• Use correct method to determine position with accuracy within 5 nautical miles (S2)
• Maintain assigned or appropriate heading ±10° and climb as necessary for terrain clearance (S3)
• Identify at least two prominent landmarks and correlate with sectional chart (S4)
• Demonstrate proper communication procedures with simulated ATC facility or successfully operate navigation equipment (S5)

Performance meets ACS standards when all knowledge elements are explained correctly, all risk management items are identified with appropriate mitigation strategies, and all skill elements are demonstrated within specified parameters during practical scenarios.