Lost Communications Procedure

 

In your flying you may find that there is a time when you are unable to use your radio to communicate.  As a private pilot in VFR conditions, this does not have to be a threatening situation.  There are a few procedures to follow and things to remember.

 

#1

Do Not Panic.  You must think clearly now!

 

 

#2

Is your radio really malfunctioning?  Do a few checks:

*   Are your headset plugs correctly inserted in their jacks?

*   Are you really tuned to the frequency that you want?  Try the last frequency that you successfully used.

*   Is the volume turned up on the transceiver?

*   Are the switches on the audio panel set correctly?

 

 

#3

Is your microphone malfunctioning? 

*   Try the handheld microphone.  Microphones are the weakest portion of radio.

 

 

#4

If you feel that your transceiver has failed, you can use the second radio if your airplane is so equipped.  Or you can use your portable handheld radio.

 

 

#5

Squawk 7600 (Change your transponder code from 1200 to 7600 to indicate to Air Traffic Control that you have lost 2-way communication).

 

 

#6A

Proceed to an uncontrolled airport.  Overfly to determine traffic and favored runway.  When safe to do so join the traffic pattern and land.

 

 

#6B

Proceed to a controlled airport (Class D or Class C) and overfly the airspace.  Squawking 7600, determine runway in use, and descend to an altitude somewhat above the traffic pattern altitude.  Wait for light signals from the control tower cab.  Then comply.  Be sure that you know what the light signals are.

 

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