Lost Procedures and Diversion Techniques

Even with proper planning and navigation, pilots can occasionally lose their position or face situations requiring a diversion to an alternate airport. Knowing how to handle these scenarios is critical for maintaining safety and confidence in flight.

1. Lost Procedures

If you become uncertain of your position during a flight, it’s important to stay calm and follow the FAA’s recommended **“Five C’s”** to reorient yourself.

The Five C’s of Lost Procedures

Climb: Increase altitude if possible to improve visibility, radio reception, and radar coverage. Be mindful of airspace and terrain.
Communicate: Contact ATC or Flight Service (on 121.5 MHz if necessary) to report your situation. Provide any known information, such as the last waypoint, heading, and altitude.
Confess: Admit you’re lost. Air traffic controllers are there to help, and it’s better to ask for assistance than to continue in uncertainty.
Comply: Follow ATC instructions carefully to regain situational awareness or navigate to a specific location.
Conserve: Manage your fuel by reducing power settings if necessary while you determine your location or navigate to an alternate airport.

Additional Lost Procedures Tips

Use Navigation Aids: If available, tune into VOR stations or use GPS to determine your position.
Look for Landmarks: Identify prominent features such as highways, rivers, or cities to cross-check with your chart.
Circle a Known Point: If you recognize a landmark, circle it while confirming your position on the chart.
Monitor 121.5 MHz: Emergency services and ATC monitor this frequency and can assist if needed.

Warning: Do not enter controlled or restricted airspace while lost. Monitor your position and altitude to avoid violations or conflicts with other aircraft.

2. Diversion Techniques

Diversions are necessary when conditions such as weather, fuel concerns, or emergencies make it unsafe or impractical to continue to your planned destination. Knowing how to divert efficiently is a key skill for all pilots.

Steps for a Successful Diversion

Identify the Need to Divert: Recognize signs such as deteriorating weather, low fuel, or mechanical issues requiring an alternate airport.
Select an Alternate Airport: Choose a nearby airport that meets your needs, considering factors such as runway length, weather conditions, and available services.
Determine a Heading: Use your sectional chart or GPS to estimate the magnetic heading from your current position to the alternate airport.
Calculate Distance and Time: Estimate the distance and time to the alternate airport based on groundspeed and wind corrections.
Communicate: Notify ATC or Flight Service of your diversion and provide your updated intentions.
Navigate to the Alternate: Fly the new heading and monitor your progress using pilotage, dead reckoning, or GPS.

Practical Diversion Example

Enroute, you encounter unexpected low visibility due to weather changes.
Using your sectional chart, you identify the closest airport with suitable runways and services.
You calculate the new heading, distance, and time to the alternate airport.
You adjust your flight path, notify ATC, and confirm the weather conditions at the alternate airport.
Upon arrival, you communicate with the tower or use CTAF to ensure a safe landing.

3. Tools to Assist with Diversions

Several tools and resources can help simplify diversions and improve situational awareness:

Sectional Charts

Identify nearby airports, terrain, and airspace restrictions.
Use the airport directory on the chart to find runway lengths, frequencies, and available services.

GPS

Most GPS units have a “Nearest Airport” function to quickly locate alternate airports.
Use the direct-to function to plot a course to your alternate airport.

E6B Flight Computer

Calculate new headings, groundspeed, time enroute, and fuel burn for the diversion.

ATC Assistance

Contact ATC for vectors to the nearest airport and weather updates.
Request assistance if you’re unsure of your position or need additional support.

4. Practical Tips for Lost Procedures and Diversions

Plan Ahead: Always include alternate airports in your preflight plan and familiarize yourself with their locations and conditions.
Stay Calm: Maintain a calm and methodical approach to avoid compounding errors under stress.
Use Technology: Leverage GPS, ADS-B, and other onboard tools to simplify navigation and communication.
Practice: Regularly practice lost procedures and diversions during training flights to build confidence.
Monitor Weather: Continuously check weather conditions enroute to anticipate potential diversions early.

Tip: If you suspect you’re lost or need to divert, act immediately. The earlier you take corrective action, the more options you’ll have for a safe outcome.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Delaying Action: Waiting too long to make a decision can reduce your options and increase risk.
Ignoring Fuel Reserves: Always monitor your fuel levels and have a plan to land with legal reserves intact.
Overreliance on GPS: Ensure you’re proficient in using sectional charts and pilotage in case of GPS failure.
Poor Communication: Failing to inform ATC or other aircraft of your situation can lead to confusion and increased risk.

6. Conclusion

Lost procedures and diversions are essential skills that every pilot should master. By staying calm, using available tools, and following structured procedures, pilots can safely handle unexpected situations. Regular practice and thorough preflight planning are the best ways to ensure you’re prepared for anything that arises during flight.