ENR 1.1 - General Rules

Question 1

What are the procedures for a VFR flight experiencing communication failure?

Answer 1

When VMC can be maintained:

• Select Mode A code 7600
• Land at the nearest suitable aerodrome
  
  • Keep watch for visual signals
• Report arrival to the appropriate ATC unit as soon as possible

When VMC cannot be maintained:

• Adopt the IMC procedures

Question 2

What are the procedures for an IFR flight experiencing communication failure?

Answer 2

• Set Mode A code 7600

When VMC can be maintained:

• Land at the nearest suitable aerodrome
  
  • Keep watch for visual signals
• Report arrival to the appropriate ATC unit as soon as possible

In IMC:

During an approach directed by radar:

• Continue either visually, or by published approach procedure to land
• If not practical, carry out missed approach procedure to holding facility
  
  • Carry out notified instrument approach procedure

In other phases of flight:

• Maintain for seven minutes, the current speed and last assigned level or MSA if higher
• If failure occurs during a notified departure procedure, fly in accordance with the procedure until complete
  
  • If part of the seven minutes remains, maintain as above
• Following the seven minute period, adjust the speed and level in accordance with flight plan and continue to designated landing aid at destination aerodrome
  
  • Attempt to transmit position reports and level when over routine reporting points
• If being radar vectored, continue with last acknowledged ATC instructions for three minutes only, then proceed to rejoin the current flight planned route in the most direct manner possible
• Comply with the loss of communications procedures notified for the destination aerodrome
• Arrive over designated landing aid as closely as possible to the last acknowledged ETA, or ETA derived from last acknowledged position report and flight planned times
  
  • Arrive at the highest notified MSA
• If following a STAR, descend as close as possible to the published profile
  
  • If no profile exists, descend to be at the minima published level at the designated Initial Approach Fix
• On reaching the designated landing aid, begin further descent at the last acknowledge EAT
  
  • If no EAT has been acknowledged, start descent at or as close as possible to the ETA as above
  • If necessary, remain within the holding pattern until the minimum holding level has been reached
  • If ‘Delay not determined’ has been given, do not attempt to land at the destination aerodrome, divert to alternate destination or another suitable airfield
• Carry out notified instrument approach procedure and if possible land within 30 minutes of the EAT/ETA
  
  • When practical, keep watch for visual signals