If you're at FL290 on a 135 flight, and the Captain leaves to use the toilet what do you need to do?

• A. 135.89
• B. Notify ATC and continue
• C. Return to the gate
• D. Climb to a safe altitude and hold

Answer: (A)

Handling a temporary PIC absence under Part 135 procedures. When the captain steps out of the flight deck, the remaining pilot must establish contact on the designated company frequency to report the situation and to hand over command as per SOP. In this scenario that frequency is 135.89. Using this channel immediately communicates to dispatch and air traffic control that the captain is away and that the second pilot is assuming control, ensuring there’s no lapse in command or flight following and that the handover is documented. Simply notifying ATC and continuing can leave the correct in-command person unclear, while returning to the gate or climbing and holding aren’t needed responses to a brief absence.