Which statement best describes a preprogrammed lost communications flight plan?

Which statement best describes a preprogrammed lost communications flight plan?

• A. A plan to follow in the event of loss of communications
• B. A plan to extend flight duration
• C. A plan to return to base only
• D. A plan to switch to manual control

Answer: (A)

A preprogrammed lost communications flight plan is a safety contingency baked into the drone’s autopilot that activates when the control link to the operator is lost. It defines an automatic set of actions the aircraft will execute without manual input, such as following a predefined route, continuing to a specific waypoint, returning to home, or landing safely at a designated location. This automatic behavior keeps the flight predictable and reduces risk when communication is interrupted. The idea is not about extending flight time, nor is it limited to returning to base as the only action, and it isn’t simply about switching to manual control—manual control isn’t available when comms are lost, so the plan must govern the autopilot’s actions.

A preprogrammed lost communications flight plan is a safety contingency baked into the drone’s autopilot that activates when the control link to the operator is lost. It defines an automatic set of actions the aircraft will execute without manual input, such as following a predefined route, continuing to a specific waypoint, returning to home, or landing safely at a designated location. This automatic behavior keeps the flight predictable and reduces risk when communication is interrupted. The idea is not about extending flight time, nor is it limited to returning to base as the only action, and it isn’t simply about switching to manual control—manual control isn’t available when comms are lost, so the plan must govern the autopilot’s actions.