Regarding Lost Communications, what is the priority for heading to be maintained?

Regarding Lost Communications, what is the priority for heading to be maintained?

• A. Assigned, Vectored, Expected, and Filed
• B. ATC assigned heading only
• C. Current heading last set by the pilot
• D. Magnetic north (true north) preference

Answer: (A)

When you lose communications while flying IFR, you follow a fixed order for the heading you should maintain. The priority is: the heading ATC has assigned, then the heading you are being vectored to, then the heading you are expected to fly, and finally the heading that is filed in your flight plan. This AVEF sequence keeps you on a predictable path and aligns with established lost‑communications procedures. So if ATC has given you a heading, you stay with that. If you’re being vectored, hold the vectored heading. If there’s no vector, fly the heading you were expected to fly. If none of those apply, follow the filed route/heading.

When you lose communications while flying IFR, you follow a fixed order for the heading you should maintain. The priority is: the heading ATC has assigned, then the heading you are being vectored to, then the heading you are expected to fly, and finally the heading that is filed in your flight plan. This AVEF sequence keeps you on a predictable path and aligns with established lost‑communications procedures. So if ATC has given you a heading, you stay with that. If you’re being vectored, hold the vectored heading. If there’s no vector, fly the heading you were expected to fly. If none of those apply, follow the filed route/heading.