Route when communications are lost should follow which priority?

• A. Assigned, vectored, expected, filed
• B. Filed, assigned, vectored, expected
• C. Vectored, assigned, filed, expected
• D. Expected, filed, assigned, vectored

Answer: (A)

When communications are lost, you follow a specific order to stay aligned with ATC’s intent and keep traffic safely separated. First, stay on the route that was last assigned by ATC. If you’re being vectored, follow the route dictated by those vectors to the specified fix or waypoint. If ATC has advised you to expect a particular route, proceed via that expected route. If none of these apply, fly the route filed in your flight plan. This sequence—assigned, vectored, expected, filed—keeps you in the path ATC has prepared for you while providing a clear fallback to your planned route if no current instructions exist. The mnemonic AVEF captures this priority and helps you make quick, safe decisions during loss of communications.