PC-12
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
I was in level cruise flight in my Pilatus PC-12. The flight conditions were VMC at FL250. I was currently in contact with Seattle Center during this time period. I was direct to the Navaid (MBW) VOR with a continuation to [the destination]. During The flight there was a long span of time in which I was hearing chatter with ATC but no direct contact with my aircraft. Seattle Center handed me off to Salt Lake Center but was not able to contact me directly. Salt Lake Center stated that I had flown for at least 30 minutes without contact. ATC contacted another aircraft in which to contact me. This was how I had found out that they were trying to reach me. During the flight I was noticing other aircraft were losing contact with ATC as well. A Citation was trying to contact Seattle center as well as a Commercial flight at the time. I was given a phone number to contact Salt Lake Center to discuss what had happened. They told me that due to the excessive time span of loss of contact that there was a report to be filed against me. I felt that I was not responsible due to the lack of communication between my aircraft and center. I was trying to be aware of my communications with ATC during this time. ATC asked if I were monitoring Guard on 121.5 at this time I was not.
PC12 Captain at FL250 reported lost communications with ATC. Once communications were reestablished the reporter was advised that communications were lost for over 30 minutes.