What is meant by the term 'Lost Procedures' in aviation?

The term 'Lost Procedures' in aviation refers to the steps that a pilot should follow if they lose situational awareness, which often happens if they become disoriented or cannot determine their current position. This situation can arise in various scenarios, such as poor visibility, unfamiliar territory, or during extended flights where navigational references may be absent.

Lost Procedures typically include actions such as maintaining control of the aircraft, attempting to regain situational awareness using navigational aids or charts, and if necessary, declaring an emergency to seek assistance from air traffic control. Pilots are trained to remain calm and methodically apply these procedures in order to safely navigate back to a known position or land if required.

In contrast, finding your way back home is more of a potential outcome of following Lost Procedures rather than a definition of them. Emergency landing techniques are important in various flying situations but do not specifically address the issue of becoming lost or disoriented. Replicating flight patterns might involve retracing past routes but does not encompass the broader strategies and decision-making involved when a pilot realizes they have lost situational awareness.