Lost / Unsure of Position
advancedUK phraseologyA VFR pilot who has become unsure of position works a radar unit for help: passing last known position, time, heading and level, requesting a fix, then upgrading to a PAN as fuel becomes a concern and following the steer. Learn the escalation ladder from "unsure of position" to a full urgency call.
Briefing
You are on a VFR navigation exercise in Cessna 172 Golf Charlie Delta Foxtrot Golf and have become unsure of your position. You are receiving a Basic Service from Brize Radar on 133.750. Ask for help before it becomes an emergency.
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- Exchange 1
Call Brize Radar. State you are unsure of position and pass your last known position, time, heading and level, then request assistance.
💡 Being unsure of position is not yet an emergency — ask for help early. Give the controller what they need to find you: last known position, time, heading and level. Use your FULL callsign on this first request for assistance.
- Exchange 2
ATC: “Golf Charlie Delta Foxtrot Golf, Brize Radar, squawk four six two one for identification.”
Read back the squawk so the controller can identify you on radar. Squawk is a mandatory readback item.
💡 A squawk assignment is a mandatory readback item — read the four digits back in full so the controller confirms they are looking at the right return before identifying you.
- Exchange 3
ATC: “Golf Foxtrot Golf, Brize Radar, identified. Report fuel remaining and intentions.”
Your fuel is now becoming a concern. Upgrade to a PAN: PAN PAN three times, callsign, that you are unsure of position with limited fuel, and request a steer to the nearest airfield.
💡 PAN PAN (spoken three times) declares an urgency — an unsure position with reducing fuel. It is a deliberate step BELOW a MAYDAY: you need timely help but you are not yet in grave and imminent danger. Revert to your full callsign for the urgency call.
- Exchange 4
ATC: “Golf Foxtrot Golf, Brize Radar, turn right heading one five zero, vectors to Kemble, ten miles.”
Read back the steer. The heading is a mandatory readback item.
💡 Read back the assigned heading in full and fly it accurately — the controller is using it to guide you to a known point. Confirming the number back closes the loop on a safety-critical instruction.
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