Communications Failure Procedures

Question 1

What are the procedures for comm failure in any airspace under the IFR in VMC?

Answer 1

1. Squawk 7600
2. Listen out on ATIS or voice modulated navaids.
3. Transmit intentions and make normal position reports (assume transmitter is operating and prefix every report with “transmitting blind”

AND

If in VMC and are certain of maintaining VMC land at nearest suitable aerodrome.

Question 2

What are the procedures for comm failure in any airspace under the IFR in IMC?

Answer 2

1. Squawk 7600
2. Listen out on ATIS or voice modulated navaids.
3. Transmit intentions and make normal position reports (assume transmitter is operating and prefix every report with “transmitting blind”

AND

a. If no clearance limit received and acknowledged, proceed in accordance
with the latest ATC route clearance acknowledged and climb to planned
level.

b If a clearance limit involving an altitude or route restriction has been
received and acknowledged:
i. maintain last assigned level, or MSA if higher, for three minutes
and/or
ii. hold at nominated location for three minutes, then
iii. proceed in accordance with the latest ATC route clearance
acknowledged and climb to planned level.

c. If receiving an ATS surveillance service:
i. climb to MSA/LSALT, and,
ii. if being vectored, maintain last assigned vector for two minutes,
then
iii. proceed in accordance with the latest ATC route clearance
acknowledged.

d. If holding:
i. fly one more complete holding pattern, then
ii. proceed in accordance with the latest ATC route clearance
acknowledged.

Question 3

What are the procedures at the destination aerodrome after a couple failure?

Answer 3

Destination Procedures:
a. Track to the destination in accordance with flight plan (amended by the latest ATC clearance acknowledged, if applicable).

b. Commence descent in accordance with standard operating procedures or flight plan.
c. Descend to the initial approach altitude for the most suitable approach aid in accordance with the published procedures.
d. Carry out the approach to the prescribed minima

Question 4

What are the actions at the prescribed minima after a comm failure?

Answer 4

a. If visual at the minima at an uncontrolled aerodrome, continue to land provided that a safe landing can be accomplished. If visual at the minima at a controlled aerodrome continue to land provided that a clearance to land is received via a voice modulated NAVAID and/or light signal from the Tower.
b. If not visual at the minima, depart for a suitable alternate aerodrome.
c. If insufficient fuel is carried to divert to a suitable alternate, the pilot may hold or carry out additional approaches until visual.
d. Certain Class D aerodromes have specific communications failure procedures which are shown at each aerodrome entry in the FAC section