Section 5, Chapter 4 - Radio Failure Flashcards
When should radio failure procedures be adopted and what initial considerations should be made?
Initial Considerations:
- Apply emergency actions from other chapters if appropriate, such as overdue action, especially if the aircraft cannot be tracked on a situation display.
Radio Failure Procedures:
- When an aircraft selects A7600 and does not respond to ATC communication.
- When communication cannot be maintained with an aircraft receiving ATC or advisory service.
- When communication cannot be established with an aircraft operating or intending to operate on an IFR flight plan within controlled or advisory airspace.
Pilot Compliance:
- Procedures assume the pilot will comply with current radio failure procedures detailed in the UK AIP.
Unlawful Interference:
- Be alert to the possibility that a radio failure aircraft may have suffered unlawful interference.
What are the standard procedures for controllers when an aircraft experiences apparent radio failure?
Inform ATS Units:
- Forward information concerning the radio failure to all ATS units along the route of flight.
ACC Responsibilities:
- The ACC in the area of the destination aerodrome shall obtain information on the alternate aerodrome(s) and other relevant details specified in the filed flight plan.
What steps should controllers take after attempts to establish normal two-way radio communication have failed?
Maintain Separation:
- Keep the radio failure aircraft separated from other known traffic.
Provide Information:
- Give pertinent information about the radio failure aircraft’s movements to other aircraft in the presumed vicinity.
Relay Communication:
- Ask nearby aircraft to establish communication with the radio failure aircraft and relay messages.
Monitor Progress:
- Use all available means to monitor the aircraft’s progress.
Use ACARS/Datalink:
- Attempt to relay information using ACARS/datalink.
Transmit Information:
- On appropriate frequencies, transmit:
- Level, route, and EAT (or ETA) assumed for the radio failure aircraft.
- Weather conditions at the destination aerodrome, a suitable alternate, and areas suitable for descent through cloud.
Instructions to Divert:
- If instructing the aircraft to divert, inform the alternate aerodrome and request they attempt to establish communication.
Overdue Action:
- If necessary, commence overdue action as described in Chapter 3.
How should ATS surveillance systems be used in the event of a radio failure aircraft?
If available, ATS surveillance systems shall be used to assist in separating other aircraft from a radio failure aircraft and to determine whether it is receiving and complying with instructions.
What procedures should be followed using PSR if an identified aircraft experiences a radio failure?
- The controller shall instruct the aircraft to make a turn(s). If the Position Indication shows movement, indicating the aircraft receiver is operating, the controller should continue to pass instructions and resume normal service.
- If the Position Indication shows that the aircraft is not responding, the controller must ensure separation of other known traffic from the radio failure aircraft.
- If the position of the radio failure aircraft is unknown, the controller may continue to provide service to identified aircraft, ensuring 5 NM separation or alternative approved minima within MATS Part 2 separation from all unknown traffic, provided PSR cover is adequate.
What procedures should be followed using SSR if an aircraft with a secondary radar transponder experiences a radio failure?
- The controller shall instruct the pilot to make mode and/or code changes or to operate the IDENT or SPI feature. If responses indicate the aircraft radio receiver is operating, control can continue using the transponder replies as acknowledgment of instructions.
- If the radio receiver is not working, pilots may be expected to select A7600 and follow established procedures.
What are the procedures for handling two-way radio communications failure for an IFR flight?
- ATC will maintain separation based on the assumption that the aircraft will follow radio communication failure procedures.
- Procedures at many UK aerodromes differ from the basic procedures and are published in the UK AIP AD 2 section.
- IFR flights following ATS routes are expected to adopt the IMC procedure, but may adopt the VMC procedure for safety reasons.
- Flights outside controlled or advisory airspace should use these procedures only to alert ATC of the communication failure.
- Using these procedures may result in flying outside controlled airspace.
- If an additional emergency occurs, the pilot should select A7700.
- “Expected Approach Time” (EAT) means either an EAT given by ATC or the ETA if ‘No delay expected’ was given.
- An EAT of ‘Delay not determined’ is given when runways cannot be used for landing or a preceding flight is holding for weather improvement. Pilots should not attempt to land but divert to an alternate aerodrome.
What should a pilot do if experiencing a communication failure in VMC conditions?
For VFR flights:
- Select SSR Mode A, Code 7600 with Mode C.
- Land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.
- Take account of visual landing aids and watch for visual signals from the ground.
- Report arrival to the appropriate ATC unit as soon as possible.
- If VMC cannot be maintained, adopt IMC procedures.
For IFR flights:
- Select SSR Mode A, Code 7600 with Mode C.
- Land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.
- Follow visual landing aids and watch for visual signals from the ground.
- Report arrival to the appropriate ATC unit as soon as possible.
- If continuing VMC is not feasible, or inappropriate, adopt IMC procedures.
- Pilots with an ATC clearance may enter controlled airspace; those without should not enter controlled or advisory airspace unless necessary for safety.
What procedures should a pilot follow in the event of a communication failure in IMC conditions?
Select SSR Mode A, Code 7600 with Mode C:
- Maintain current speed and last assigned level or minimum safe altitude (whichever is higher) for 7 minutes, starting from when the transponder is set to 7600.
- If following a notified departure procedure (e.g., SID) without clearance to climb or re-routing instructions, continue as per the published procedure until the last position, fix, or waypoint, then maintain speed and level for the remaining time.
If being vectored or proceeding offset according to RNAV:
- Continue according to the last acknowledged ATC instructions for 3 minutes, then rejoin the current flight planned route in the most direct manner, ensuring minimum safe altitude.
If being vectored by an Approach Surveillance Control unit:
- Comply with loss of communications procedures detailed in the appropriate RMAC in the UK AIP AD 2 section.
Arriving over the appropriate designated landing aid:
- Arrive as close as possible to the ETA last acknowledged by ATC, or use an ETA derived from the last acknowledged position report if no ETA was acknowledged.
- Arrive at the highest notified Minimum Sector Altitude, considering en-route terrain clearance.
Descent after reaching the designated landing aid:
- Begin descent at the last acknowledged EAT or at the ETA calculated from the last position report.
- Remain in the holding pattern if necessary, with a descent rate not less than 500 ft per minute.
- If ‘Delay not determined’ was given, divert to the alternate destination specified in the flight plan or another suitable aerodrome.
Instrument approach and landing:
- Carry out the notified instrument approach procedure, aiming to land within 30 minutes of the EAT or calculated ETA.
- If radar-directed approach fails, continue visually or using an alternative aid, or execute a missed approach to a holding facility with an instrument approach and carry out that procedure.
What procedures should be followed by pilots of Special VFR flights experiencing two-way radio communication failure?
- Select SSR Mode A, Code 7600 with Mode C if the aircraft is suitably equipped.
- Transmit blind if the radio communication transmitter is believed to be functioning, giving position reports and stating intentions.
- Remain clear of the CTR if radio communication failure occurs before entering the CTR, even if Special VFR clearance has been obtained.
- If Special VFR clearance has been obtained and the aircraft is in the CTR:
1. Inbound to an aerodrome: Proceed according to the Special VFR clearance to the aerodrome and land as soon as possible. Watch for visual signals in the traffic circuit.
2. Transiting a CTR: Continue flight not above the cleared altitude, leave the CTR by the most direct route considering weather, obstacle clearance, and known dense traffic areas.
Notes: If flying on a radar-advised heading when communication failure occurs, resume own navigation and follow the appropriate procedure.
Notify the concerned ATC unit as soon as possible after landing.
What steps should be taken for resumption of normal operations after a radio failure?
- Continue radio failure procedures until it is determined that alternative action can be taken or normal operations can resume safely.
- Upon re-establishing communication, the controller must inform the unit where the radio failure procedure was initiated and provide necessary information for further control of the aircraft.
What should be done when a radio failure aircraft lands?
- Resume normal operations when positive information is received that the radio failure aircraft has landed.
- If the aircraft lands without re-establishing communication, the controller at the aerodrome must inform the unit where the radio failure procedure was initiated.
What procedures are followed for re-allocation of levels when a radio failure aircraft is in the holding stack?
- Re-allocate levels occupied by the radio failure aircraft to succeeding aircraft 15 minutes after the latest time they should have been vacated.
- Keep the lowest level in the stack and the expected departure level clear for 30 minutes after the time descent should have begun, plus an appropriate period to allow the aircraft to leave the vicinity.
What should be done if the position of a radio failure aircraft is not determined within 30 minutes after it should have begun descent?
- Provide pertinent information about the radio failure aircraft to Aircraft Operators and/or pilots of other aircraft.
- Responsibility shifts to Aircraft Operators and/or pilots to determine whether to resume normal operations or take other action.
