During Lost Comms procedures, what altitude and airspeed are used when overflying the active runway?

During Lost Comms procedures, what altitude and airspeed are used when overflying the active runway?

• A. 700' MSL & 70 KIAS
• B. 1000' MSL & 90 KIAS
• C. 500' MSL & 60 KIAS
• D. 1500' MSL & 80 KIAS

Answer: (A)

When you lose communications and need to overfly the active runway, you want an altitude and airspeed that give you a stable, controllable situation with clear visibility of the runway and surrounding traffic. Flying at 700 feet MSL provides a safe vertical position that keeps you clear of obstacles nearby while still low enough to quickly descend for a landing if conditions permit. 70 knots is a comfortable, stable approach speed for a rotorcraft like the TH-73—fast enough to maintain control and energy, slow enough to maintain precise descent and sight picture. Higher altitudes or faster speeds would either delay your ability to see and react to traffic and runway conditions, or demand more energy and maneuvering than necessary. Much slower airspeeds (or much higher altitudes) aren’t as practical for a stable overfly and pattern setup. So the combination of 700' MSL and 70 KIAS is the best fit for overflying the active runway during Lost Comms procedures.

When you lose communications and need to overfly the active runway, you want an altitude and airspeed that give you a stable, controllable situation with clear visibility of the runway and surrounding traffic. Flying at 700 feet MSL provides a safe vertical position that keeps you clear of obstacles nearby while still low enough to quickly descend for a landing if conditions permit. 70 knots is a comfortable, stable approach speed for a rotorcraft like the TH-73—fast enough to maintain control and energy, slow enough to maintain precise descent and sight picture.

Higher altitudes or faster speeds would either delay your ability to see and react to traffic and runway conditions, or demand more energy and maneuvering than necessary. Much slower airspeeds (or much higher altitudes) aren’t as practical for a stable overfly and pattern setup. So the combination of 700' MSL and 70 KIAS is the best fit for overflying the active runway during Lost Comms procedures.