In the event of NORDO, which action should be taken in the cockpit?

In the context of NORDO, which stands for "No Radio," the appropriate action in the cockpit is to maintain VMC, or Visual Meteorological Conditions. This is crucial because in the event of losing radio communication, a pilot must rely on visual references and flight rules that permit them to navigate and control the aircraft safely without the aid of ATC instructions.

Maintaining VMC ensures that the pilot can visually see and navigate according to visual flight rules. This way, the pilot can avoid other air traffic, obstacles, and potentially dangerous weather conditions, while also ensuring they remain compliant with flight regulations regarding visibility and cloud clearances.

Although maintaining VFR (Visual Flight Rules) is similar, VFR is typically more encompassing and might not account for the specific operational limitations or weather conditions the pilot is navigating in. Requesting assistance from ATC is not an option during NORDO, as communication is lost. Ascending to a higher altitude could be beneficial depending on the situation, but it doesn’t specifically address the primary need to maintain safe visual navigation under NORDO conditions.