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Minnesota_Flyer · February 20th, 2005, 19:02

The FAA textbook response to lost comms is to continue along the assigned route to the cleared destination (unless VMC is encountered -- then stay VMC). However, under the facts presented, I personally think any pilot would be foolish to do anything other than (1) squawk 7600, and (2) turn around and fly the approach back into the departure field.

My reasoning is that both of the comm. radios have just failed for unknown reasons. Consequently, I have no reason to assume that the nav. radios will keep working for a 200 mile flight to the destination in forecast solid IMC. The safest course is to get back on the ground ASAP, before anything else goes wrong.

If the transponder is still working, ATC will get a big alarm when I squawk 7600, and they'll be able to see what I'm doing (if it's not working, even more reason to get on the ground before something else fails). In any case, (based on the facts presented) I apparently have taken off with a clearance void time, which means that the airspace around the airport should be clear until I check in with ATC. Since my radios died as soon as I tried to talk to ATC, that airspace is probably still clear. Thus, the airspace probably will be safe for an immediate return.

As far as getting into trouble for this . . . I gotta be alive to get into trouble. Safety first.

February 20th, 2005, 19:02	#6
Minnesota_Flyer Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul Posts: 2,025	Re: What Would You Do? The FAA textbook response to lost comms is to continue along the assigned route to the cleared destination (unless VMC is encountered -- then stay VMC). However, under the facts presented, I personally think any pilot would be foolish to do anything other than (1) squawk 7600, and (2) turn around and fly the approach back into the departure field. My reasoning is that both of the comm. radios have just failed for unknown reasons. Consequently, I have no reason to assume that the nav. radios will keep working for a 200 mile flight to the destination in forecast solid IMC. The safest course is to get back on the ground ASAP, before anything else goes wrong. If the transponder is still working, ATC will get a big alarm when I squawk 7600, and they'll be able to see what I'm doing (if it's not working, even more reason to get on the ground before something else fails). In any case, (based on the facts presented) I apparently have taken off with a clearance void time, which means that the airspace around the airport should be clear until I check in with ATC. Since my radios died as soon as I tried to talk to ATC, that airspace is probably still clear. Thus, the airspace probably will be safe for an immediate return. As far as getting into trouble for this . . . I gotta be alive to get into trouble. Safety first.