risk associated with being lost is waiting too long to land in a  safe area. Helicopter pilots should land before fuel exhaustion  occurs because maneuvering with low fuel levels could cause  the engine to stop due to fuel starvation as fuel sloshes or  flows away from the pickup port in the tank. If lost and low on fuel, it is advisable to make a precautionary  landing. Preferably, land near a road or in an area that would  allow space for another helicopter to safely land and provide  assistance. Having fuel delivered is a minor inconvenience  when compared to having an accident. Once on the ground,  pilots may seek assistance. These common-sense procedures can be easily remembered by  using the four Cs: Climb, Communicate, Confess, and Comply. Helicopters, unlike airplanes, generally operate under Visual  Flight Rules (VFR) and require pilots to maintain aircraft  control by visual cues. However, when unforecast weather  leads to degraded visibility, the pilot may be at increased  risk of Inadvertent flight into Instrument Meteorological  Conditions (IIMC). During an IIMC encounter, the pilot  may be unprepared for the loss of visual reference, resulting  in a reduced ability to continue safe flight. IIMC is a life- threatening emergency for any pilot. To capture these IIMC  events, the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) and  International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Common  Taxonomy Team (CICTT) categorizes this occurrence as  Unintended flight in Instrument Meteorological Conditions  (UIMC). This term is also recognized by the National  Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation  Administration (FAA). It is used to classify occurrences  (accidents and incidents) at a high level to improve the  capacity to focus on common safety issues and complete  analysis of the data in support of safety initiatives. Pilots should understand the services provided by ATC and  the resources and options available. These services enable  pilots to focus on aircraft control and help them make better  decisions in a time of stress.  When contacting ATC, pilots should provide as much  information as possible because ATC uses the information  to determine what kind of assistance it can provide with  available assets and capabilities. Information requirements  vary depending on the existing situation, but at a minimum  a pilot should provide the following information:  The onset of IIMC may occur gradually or suddenly, has  no simple procedural exit, and is unlike flight training by  reference to while in Visual Meteorological Conditions  (VMC). Most training helicopters are not equipped or  certified to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).  Therefore, General Aviation (GA) helicopter pilots may not  have the benefit of flight in actual Instrument Meteorological  Conditions (IMC) during their flight training. Helicopter  pilots that encounter IIMC may experience physiological  illusions which can lead to spatial disorientation and loss of  aircraft control. Even with some instrument training, many  available and accessible helicopters are not equipped with  the proper augmented safety systems or autopilots, which  would significantly aid in helicopter control during an  IIMC emergency. The need to use outside visual references  is natural for helicopter pilots because much of their flight  training is based upon visual cues, not on flight instruments.  This primacy can only be overcome through significant  instrument training. Additionally, instrument flight may be  To reduce the chances of getting lost in the first place, use  flight following through active contact with an aircraft during  flight either by radio or through automated flight following  systems when it is available, monitor checkpoints no more  than 25 miles apart, keep navigation aids such as Very  High-Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) tuned in,  and maintain good situational awareness. Flight following  provides ongoing surveillance information to assist pilots in  avoiding collisions with other aircraft. Getting lost is a potentially dangerous situation for any  aircraft, especially when low on fuel. Due to the helicopter’s  unique ability to land almost anywhere, pilots have more  flexibility than other aircraft as to landing site. An inherent  11-24 VFR Flight into Instrument Meteorological  Conditions •  Navigation aids, dead reckoning, and pilotage are  skills that can be used as well.  •  Do not forget air traffic control (ATC)—controllers  assist pilots in many ways, including finding a lost  helicopter. Once communication with ATC has been  established, follow their instructions. •  Climb for a better view, improved communication and  navigation reception, and terrain avoidance. •  Communicate by calling the nearest flight service  station (FSS)/automated flight service station (AFSS)  on 122.2 MHz. If the FSS/AFSS does not respond,  call the nearest control tower, center, or approach  control. For frequencies, check the chart in the vicinity  of the last known position. If that fails, switch to  the emergency radio frequency (121.5 MHz) and  transponder code (7700). •  Report the lost situation to ATC and request help. •  Comply with controller instructions. •  Aircraft identification and type  •  Nature of the emergency  •  Aviator’s desires