Instrument Rating Checkride Practice Test

What should pilots do in case of lost communications while flying VFR?

1. Maintain altitude and continue under IFR

2. Continue flying VFR and land as soon as practicable

3. Proceed to the nearest airport without any notifications

4. Climb to higher altitude until contact is made

The correct answer is: Continue flying VFR and land as soon as practicable

In the event of lost communications while flying VFR (Visual Flight Rules), the appropriate action is to continue flying VFR and land as soon as practicable. This response is rooted in maintaining safety and adhering to the regulations governing VFR flight operations. When a pilot loses communications, it is critical to assess the situation and ensure that they remain safe and situationally aware. Continuing VFR allows pilots to retain control of their aircraft and navigate visually, leveraging landmarks and other VFR navigation aids. Landing as soon as practicable ensures that the pilot can safely manage the situation and report their status to air traffic control (ATC) once on the ground. While maintaining altitude and transitioning to IFR seems plausible, this option is not appropriate since a VFR pilot may not be filed under IFR and would not have the necessary clearance or experience for such a transition in a lost communication scenario. Proceeding to the nearest airport without communication can, at times, create confusion in busy airspace, as ATC may not be aware of the aircraft's intentions. Lastly, climbing to a higher altitude without knowing the surrounding airspace or traffic can lead to unsafe encounters with other aircraft. Thus, the best practice in lost communications while under VFR is to land as soon