Definition
A pre-planned set of actions a pilot follows when they become uncertain of their position during flight, typically including climbing for better radio and radar reception, conserving fuel, attempting to identify landmarks, tuning navigation aids, and contacting air traffic control or another facility for assistance.
Plain English
A step-by-step plan a pilot uses when they don't know where they are, designed to get help and figure out their location safely.
Context Anchor
Used in flight training, especially during navigation lessons and error recovery discussions, when a pilot becomes unsure of the aircraft’s location.
Why Pilots Care
Using the correct lost procedure reduces the chance of running out of fuel, entering restricted airspace, or becoming further disoriented.
Intuition Check
“Lost” does not mean the pilot has failed or must already be in danger. Here it means the pilot is not sure enough of the aircraft’s position and needs to use a set recovery method.
Example Sentence 1
When the student realized none of the ground features matched the chart, the instructor prompted her to begin the lost procedure.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor reminded the class that every cross-country flight plan should include a review of the lost procedure before departure.