You enter a holding pattern at a fix (not same as the approach fix) with an EFC time of 1530. At 1520 you experience complete two-way communications failure. Which procedure should you follow to execute the approach to a landing?

You enter a holding pattern at a fix (not same as the approach fix) with an EFC time of 1530. At 1520 you experience complete two-way communications failure. Which procedure should you follow to execute the approach to a landing?

• A. Depart the holding fix at the earliest of the flight planned ETA or the EFC time, and complete the approach.
• B. Depart the holding fix to arrive at the approach fix as close as possible to the EFC time and complete the approach.
• C. Depart the holding fix at the EFC time, and complete the approach.
• D. Return to the origin and await ATC instructions.

Answer: (C)

When you lose two-way communication in a holding pattern, you follow the last assigned clearance and use the published EFC (expected further clearance) time as the cue to proceed. The holding pattern is kept intact until the EFC moment, and at that time you depart the holding fix and execute the approach to land. Departing exactly at the EFC time aligns with ATC’s expected clearance sequence—you’re not jumping the gun by leaving early, and you’re not waiting past the point ATC would normally give you the next instruction. From there, you fly the published approach to a landing, assuming the approach can be completed safely. The other options either require departing before the EFC, timing your maneuver around the EFC in a way not specified by the procedure, or involve returning to origin, which isn’t required under lost communications in this holding scenario.

When you lose two-way communication in a holding pattern, you follow the last assigned clearance and use the published EFC (expected further clearance) time as the cue to proceed. The holding pattern is kept intact until the EFC moment, and at that time you depart the holding fix and execute the approach to land.

Departing exactly at the EFC time aligns with ATC’s expected clearance sequence—you’re not jumping the gun by leaving early, and you’re not waiting past the point ATC would normally give you the next instruction. From there, you fly the published approach to a landing, assuming the approach can be completed safely.

The other options either require departing before the EFC, timing your maneuver around the EFC in a way not specified by the procedure, or involve returning to origin, which isn’t required under lost communications in this holding scenario.