In uncontrolled airspace, how long should you maintain the last reported heading, altitude and speed before proceeding to your route after losing comms?

In uncontrolled airspace, how long should you maintain the last reported heading, altitude and speed before proceeding to your route after losing comms?

• A. 7 minutes
• B. 20 minutes
• C. 30 minutes
• D. 5 minutes

Answer: (A)

When radio failure happens in uncontrolled airspace, you keep flying the last heading, altitude and airspeed you were assigned for seven minutes. This gives you a stable, predictable position on your intended path while you try to reestablish contact or work out the next safe step. After that seven-minute window, you proceed to the route you planned, following the standard priority of following your last cleared path if any, then the expected route, and then the filed route if needed. The seven-minute hold is a balance: too short and you risk deviating into other traffic or terrain before you’re sure it’s safe; too long and you could be way off your intended course if you can’t regain contact.

When radio failure happens in uncontrolled airspace, you keep flying the last heading, altitude and airspeed you were assigned for seven minutes. This gives you a stable, predictable position on your intended path while you try to reestablish contact or work out the next safe step. After that seven-minute window, you proceed to the route you planned, following the standard priority of following your last cleared path if any, then the expected route, and then the filed route if needed. The seven-minute hold is a balance: too short and you risk deviating into other traffic or terrain before you’re sure it’s safe; too long and you could be way off your intended course if you can’t regain contact.