If no landing criteria exist, which statement is accurate regarding continuing the mission?

• A. The aircraft may continue the mission as appropriate.
• B. The aircraft must abort the mission.
• C. The aircraft must land at the nearest site.
• D. The aircraft should return to base immediately.

Answer: (A)

When there are no defined landing criteria, the decision to continue is guided by mission priority and an ongoing risk assessment. The crew weighs factors like current weather, fuel state, terrain, crew workload, and the urgency of the mission, and proceeds if continuing poses an acceptable level of risk. This flexibility is captured by allowing the mission to continue as appropriate, rather than forcing an automatic abort, a mandatory nearest-site landing, or an immediate return to base. If new hazards or worsening conditions arise, you adjust course or terminate as needed, but with no criteria in place, continuation is permissible under good judgment and risk management.