[ZOOKER]

...why do you say the general rule is to first make a 90 degree right turn...?

I'm not a pilot, but if my radio was out and I knew I was on someone's radar screen, I might turn just to get someone's attention. Kind of a non-verbal distress call?

Of course, if the plane came apart in mid-air, pieces of it might fly off in any and all direction...

[Kirkwood]

So what distress are you signaling by making a controlled 90-degree turn?

[Don W]

What I remember from a LONG time ago about no radio distress signal is flying a 2 minute leg after the 90* turn, then a series of 3 X 120* turns at 2 minute intervals. After performing 2 triangles, resume regular flight path for 5 minutes, then repeat the distress signal.

In a jet, the interval is reduced to one minute per leg.

This information is NOT gospel, as I said it’s from memory of pre-flight school 40+ years ago.