Loss of Radio Comms

Question 1

why is losing radio comms during VFR flight not that much of a worry?

Answer 1

due to separation from terrain and other aircraft not being jeopardized if a good lookout is maintained.

Question 2

why is losing radio comms during IFR flight a worry?

Answer 2

since IFR is normally operated in the cloud, loss of comms can have serious consequences and declaring an emergency is then a proper action.

Question 3

what are the main things to remember when comms are lost?

Answer 3

Fly your aircraft, Squawk 7600, Maintain separation from the cloud, terrain, and other aircraft. Keep a sharp lookout

Question 4

During VFR flight, loss of comms require what actions? (8)

Answer 4

• Maintain control, stay visual and ensure terrain clearance,
• Maintain a very good lookout for other aircraft
  Carry board checks
  CHECK:
• Electrical master switch/ Avionics ON, VHF - COM set ON and volume set correctly
• squelch function and level checked
• Circuit breakers and fuses checked
• correct frequency selected
• Microphone and other leads correctly plugged in
• Surrounding terrain is your flight in the lee of high ground

Question 5

What are the secondary actions that can be done if first isn’t successful? (5)

Answer 5

• Change frequency (if possible) more than one frequency/ another station with VHF).
• If using headphones, revert to cockpit speaker and handheld
• Male calls to other aircraft, if successful ask to relay.
• Transmit blind - receiver appears unserviceable but you assume the transmitter is working
• Fly higher if possible

Question 6

what happens if comms are effectively lost in controlled airspace? (4)

Answer 6

• Obey most recent clearances,
• avoid high-density areas,
• divert to nearest, suited, unattended aerodrome (not Auckland Christchurch or wellington) or approach side on/runway-in-use and do overhead join
• contact nearest ATS ASAP.

Question 7

what happens if comms are effectively lost in uncontrolled airspace?

Answer 7

remain clear of controlled areas and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, contact nearest ATS ASAP.

Question 8

If transponder equipped what can you do if comms are lost?

Answer 8

squawk 7600

Question 9

if a cellphone is equipped what can you do if comms are lost?

Answer 9

attempt communications with ATS.

Question 10

when diverting to alternate aerodrome what should you do?

Answer 10

turn on landing lights, beacons, and strobes and approach clear of the final approach area, and do overhead join. call ATS ASAP

Question 11

when is the speechless technique used?

Answer 11

use when the radio is working but the mic isn’t

Question 12

how is the speechless technique used?

Answer 12

hold mic down for a brief period. On hearing on unmodulated transmission ATS will instruct pilot to activate the transmitter three times ( press transmitter button on the mic three times with definite short breaks)

Question 13

what type of questions do ATS ask on speechless?

Answer 13

yes or no questions

Question 14

what does one-button activation mean?

Answer 14

yes

Question 15

what does two-button activation mean?

Answer 15

no

Question 16

what does three-button activation mean?

Answer 16

say again

Question 17

what does four-button activation mean?

Answer 17

at nominated position

Question 18

what do ATS towers have that can be used to convey messages to aircraft that don’t have a radio or have failed?

Answer 18

signal lamps

Question 19

What does a steady green light on a signal light on ATS towers mean? (Aircraft in flight and in aerodrome/ground)

Answer 19

in flight - cleared to land

in aerodrome - cleared to takeoff

Question 20

What does a steady red light on a signal light on ATS towers mean? (Aircraft in flight and in aerodrome/ground)

Answer 20

in flight - give way and continue circuiting

in aerodrome - stop

Question 21

What does a series of green flashes on a signal light on ATS towers mean? (Aircraft in flight and in aerodrome/ground)

Answer 21

in flight- return for landing

in aerodrome - cleared to taxi

Question 22

What does a series of red flashes on a signal light on ATS towers mean? (Aircraft in flight and in aerodrome/ground)

Answer 22

in flight - aerodrome unsafe, don’t land

in aerodrome - taxi clear of the landing area in use

Question 23

What do alternating red and green flashes on a signal light on ATS towers mean? (Aircraft in flight and in aerodrome/ground)

Answer 23

in flight - danger be alert

in aerodrome - danger be alert

Question 24

What does red pyrotechnic on a signal light on ATS towers mean? (Aircraft in flight and in aerodrome/ground)

Answer 24

notwithstanding any previous instructions, don’t land for now

Question 25

when is a radio signal check readability needed?

Answer 25

when aircraft is airborne and an inflight radio check is required.

Question 26

when is a radio maintenance check readability needed?

Answer 26

fora ground test during maintenance

Question 27

on the readability scale of radio transmissions, what does 1 mean?

Answer 27

unreadable

Question 28

on the readability scale of radio transmissions, what does 2 mean?

Answer 28

readable now and then

Question 29

on the readability scale of radio transmissions, what does 3 mean?

Answer 29

readable but with difficulty

Question 30

on the readability scale of radio transmissions, what does 4 mean?

Answer 30

readable

Question 31

on the readability scale of radio transmissions, what does 5 mean?

Answer 31

perfectly readable

Question 32

what happens during a listening watch?

Answer 32

meaning you must stay alert for potential messages directed to you.

Question 33

what does TIBA stand for?

Answer 33

Traffic Information Broadcasts by Aircraft

Question 34

when does TIBA occur?

Answer 34

if significant disruption occurs to ATC or other related services.

Question 35

what happens under TIBA procedures?

Answer 35

pilots provide their own seperation. if a known disruption is expected, NOTAM action will be used to advise pilots.

Question 36

what should you do when broadcasting your time?

Answer 36

give as much advance notice as possible of your intentions

Question 37

when should time broadcasts be made prior to entry into a designated airspace?

Answer 37

10 minutes prior

Question 38

when should time broadcasts be made before or after takeoff

Answer 38

ASAP

Question 39

when should time broadcasts be made prior to crossing a report point?

Answer 39

10 minutes prior

Question 40

when should time broadcasts be made prior to changing altitude?

Answer 40

2-5 minutes at time of changing altitute and on reaching the required altitude.

Question 41

when else should a time broadcast be made?

Answer 41

whenever a pilot considers it necessary