While operating a small UAS beyond a wooded area, a remote pilot in command suddenly loses the control link between the ground control station and the aircraft, and the aircraft does not respond to any inputs. What is the remote PIC's most appropriate immediate action?
- AImmediately shut down the ground control station to force a hard reset of the link
- BMonitor the aircraft's programmed lost-link behavior (such as return-to-home or auto-land) while maintaining visual observation and awareness of nearby hazards
- CContinue attempting new maneuvers until the link randomly reconnects
- DWalk toward the last known GPS coordinate while leaving the controller active on the ground
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Monitor the aircraft's programmed lost-link behavior (such as return-to-home or auto-land) while maintaining visual observation and awareness of nearby hazards
Most sUAS are programmed with an automated lost-link procedure (such as return-to-home or auto-land) that activates when the control link is lost; the remote PIC should let this fail-safe execute while maintaining visual contact and situational awareness to protect people and property, rather than taking actions that could interfere with the fail-safe or abandon oversight of the aircraft.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Shutting down the GCS could disable the very system needed to reestablish or monitor the link.
- C. Random maneuvering is not a controlled, deliberate response and does not address the fail-safe behavior.
- D. Leaving the controller active but walking away removes the pilot's ability to monitor the aircraft and respond to changes.
Lost Link Procedure
The automated fail-safe behavior (e.g., return-to-home, hover, or auto-land) that most sUAS execute when the control link between GCS and aircraft is lost, requiring the remote PIC to monitor rather than interfere.
- Most sUAS have a pre-programmed lost-link response
- Remote PIC should maintain visual observation during the event
- Interfering with the GCS during a lost link may worsen the situation
- Should be briefed and understood before every flight
Memory trick: Lost link? Let it go home — watch, don't panic-fiddle