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When LOST and unable to determine position, the standard procedure ("the 5 C's") is
Choices
✓ Climb (improves radio reception/visibility).correct
Communicate (declare to nearest ATC, 121.5 if no other option), Confess (your situation), Comply (follow ATC instructions), Conserve (fuel). Lost procedure: CLIMB (more radio range, better view of landmarks), COMMUNICATE (call FSS or nearest ATC, use 121.5 if necessary), CONFESS (don't try to hide it — controllers help), COMPLY (follow vectors / advice), CONSERVE (lean mixture, slow to best endurance). VFR pilots can also use ATC's emergency vector service even outside an emergency.
Climb, Continue, Cruise, Comply, Conserve.
"Continue" and "Cruise" don't address being lost.
Communicate, Crew brief, Continue plan, Climb, Conserve.
Wrong sequence and missing key actions.
Stay low to maintain VFR contact with terrain.
Staying low reduces radio range and increases CFIT risk.
Why
Communicate (declare to nearest ATC, 121.5 if no other option), Confess (your situation), Comply (follow ATC instructions), Conserve (fuel). Lost procedure: CLIMB (more radio range, better view of landmarks), COMMUNICATE (call FSS or nearest ATC, use 121.5 if necessary), CONFESS (don't try to hide it — controllers help), COMPLY (follow vectors / advice), CONSERVE (lean mixture, slow to best endurance). VFR pilots can also use ATC's emergency vector service even outside an emergency.
FAA source: PHAK Ch 16, AIM 6-2-1; AIM 6-2-1 Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilitiesbrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.