How do you handle a lost communications situation with a pilot?

How do you handle a lost communications situation with a pilot?

• A. Immediately hold the aircraft and do not issue any further clearances.
• B. Ignore the pilot until contact is reestablished.
• C. Restart the same frequency and wait.
• D. Follow standard lost communications procedures, attempt to reestablish contact, then issue appropriate clearances.

Answer: (C)

When radio contact is lost, the action sequence must follow established lost‑communications procedures while keeping the aircraft safe and predictable. The controller should make every reasonable effort to reestablish contact on the current frequency (and, if available, on alternate methods or frequencies), but if contact cannot be reestablished, you proceed with the procedures that dictate what the aircraft should do next. This means guiding the aircraft according to the last assigned route and altitude, or as expected, and issuing the clearances needed for it to safely continue or complete its flight while you monitor for recontact. Simply holding the aircraft indefinitely or ignoring it isn’t safe or compliant, and restarting the frequency without applying the standard procedures leaves the situation unresolved. Once contact is reestablished, you return to normal operations.

When radio contact is lost, the action sequence must follow established lost‑communications procedures while keeping the aircraft safe and predictable. The controller should make every reasonable effort to reestablish contact on the current frequency (and, if available, on alternate methods or frequencies), but if contact cannot be reestablished, you proceed with the procedures that dictate what the aircraft should do next. This means guiding the aircraft according to the last assigned route and altitude, or as expected, and issuing the clearances needed for it to safely continue or complete its flight while you monitor for recontact. Simply holding the aircraft indefinitely or ignoring it isn’t safe or compliant, and restarting the frequency without applying the standard procedures leaves the situation unresolved. Once contact is reestablished, you return to normal operations.