What is the proper response by the remote PIC if experiencing a lost link situation?

What is the proper response by the remote PIC if experiencing a lost link situation?

• A. Notify all available crew and ATC (if applicable) while executing the briefed lost link procedure.
• B. Wait for ATC to respond before acting.
• C. Return to base immediately.
• D. Increase altitude and continue mission.

Answer: (A)

Losing the control link means you must act quickly to keep everyone safe, so the best move is to notify all available crew and ATC (if applicable) while carrying out the pre-briefed lost link procedure. This ensures ground personnel and surrounding airspace users are aware of the situation, allows for coordinated actions, and gives the remote PIC a clear, planned path to regain control or guide the aircraft to a safe recovery point. Waiting for ATC to respond can waste critical seconds, and simply returning to base or climbing higher while the link is down isn’t a guaranteed or recommended approach and can create additional risks.

Losing the control link means you must act quickly to keep everyone safe, so the best move is to notify all available crew and ATC (if applicable) while carrying out the pre-briefed lost link procedure. This ensures ground personnel and surrounding airspace users are aware of the situation, allows for coordinated actions, and gives the remote PIC a clear, planned path to regain control or guide the aircraft to a safe recovery point. Waiting for ATC to respond can waste critical seconds, and simply returning to base or climbing higher while the link is down isn’t a guaranteed or recommended approach and can create additional risks.