If a remote pilot loses control link with their sUAS during flight, what is the recommended initial response?

Why →Most modern sUAS have built-in Return-to-Home (RTH) or lost-link failsafe procedures configured by the pilot before flight. The remote PIC should have set up and tested these before the mission. The RTH sequence should activate automatically. ATC is not typically involved unless the aircraft poses an immediate hazard to controlled airspace or other aircraft.

The trap →Moving to higher elevation diverts attention while the aircraft may already be executing an automatic sequence. ATC contact is appropriate only if the aircraft poses a genuine hazard, not as a routine response to lost link.

Field note →Pre-flight RTH configuration is one of the most important and most overlooked tasks. Set RTH altitude above all obstacles in the flight area, verify the home point was captured correctly before takeoff, and physically test RTH at close range before operational reliance. A misconfigured RTH can fly the aircraft into a building.