The top priority   always   is to aviate. That means fly the airplane by using the flight controls and flight instruments to direct the airplane s attitude, airspeed, and altitude.  Rounding out those top priorities are figuring out where you are and where you re going (Navigate), and, as appropriate, talking to ATC or someone outside the airplane (Communicate). However, it doesn t matter if we re navigating and communicating perfectly if we lose control of the aircraft and crash. A-N-C seems simple to follow, but it s easy to forget when you get busy or distracted in the cockpit.