Comms failure (20-07-18)

Question 1

What ae the idiot checks for a suspected comms failure?

Answer 1

Check radio volume is up

check that the correct fcy is set and within range

ensure microphone/earphones are plugged in properly

Try the other comms box (if possible)

Question 2

If you are unable to establish comms what else can be tried?

Answer 2

Attempt to contact the ATSU on a different one of their fcys

Attamp to contact other A/C or other ATSU on fcys appropriate to the route

If there is still no contact, transmit the message twice on the appropraite fcy preceded by the phrase ‘transmitting blind’ each time

Question 3

What is the procedure for a Rx failure?

Answer 3

squawk 7600

make standard radio calls preceded with ‘transmitting blind due to Rx failure’ and include the next transmission time

transmit intentions with regard to continuing flight

Question 4

What is the procedure for a Tx failure?

Answer 4

squawk 7600

ATC will try to establish if you can receive message by giving you instructions

Question 5

What should be done if comms are lost in VMC?

Answer 5

The flight should be continued in VMC and then land at nearest suitable aerodrome

ASAP after landing report arrival to appropriate ATSU.

Question 6

What should be done if comms are lost in IMC (non-radar/procedural)

Answer 6

maintain last assigned level/speed for 20mins following failure to report at compulsory reporting point

then adjust level/speed as per current flight plan.

Question 7

What should be done if comms are lost in IMC (radar service)?

Answer 7

maintain last assigned level/speed for 7 mins after the later of:

• time last assigned level or min flight altitude is reached,
• time transponder set to 7600
• failure to report position over compulsory reporting point

Then adjust level/speed as per current flight plan

Question 8

What should be done if comms are lost in IMC (radar service - vectored/RNAV offset)

Answer 8

rejoin current flight plan route by next significant point

then proceed according to flight plan to fix for expected approach at destination

then hold over fix until commencing decsent

Question 9

What should be done if comms are lost with in IMC (holding fix)?

Answer 9

Start descent from fix at/close to the expected approach time (EAT)/ETA from current flight plan if no EAT

then normal instrument approach procedure

then land if possible <30mins after later of ETA or last acknowledged EAT

Question 10

What does a flashing green light to an A/C in flight mean?

Answer 10

return for landing - land/taxi clearance will be given in due course

Question 11

What does a flashing green light to an A/C on the ground mean?

Answer 11

cleared to taxi

Question 12

What does a flashing red light to an A/C in flight mean?

Answer 12

A/D unsafe, do not land

Question 13

What does a flashing red light to an A/C on the ground mean?

Answer 13

Taxi clear of the landing area in use

Question 14

What does a steady green light to an A/C in flight mean?

Answer 14

cleared to land

Question 15

What does a steady green light to an A/C on the ground mean?

Answer 15

cleared for TO

Question 16

What does a steady red light to an A/C on the ground mean?

Answer 16

stop

Question 17

What does a steady red light to an A/C in flight mean?

Answer 17

give way to other A/C & continue circling

Question 18

What does a flashing white light to an A/C in flight mean?

Answer 18

land at this A/D and proceed to apron - land/taxi clearance will be given in due course

Question 19

What does a red pyrotechnic to an A/C in flight mean?

Answer 19

not withstanding any previous instrucions, do not land for the time being