Radio Failure

[skateosiris]

Hi, I was just wondering if I can get some help with Communication Failures?

If your outside of a control zone would you fly a triangular pattern while squawking 7600? Then would you fly over the field at 1000 ft about airport elevation and join the downwind? How would you tell which is the active rwy, would you just land on the same rwy you departed from?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Old Dog Flying]

There is no need to fly the triangular pattern of you have a functioning transponder. Check the interogation light and if it is winking at you it is doing its job.

As for overflying the airport, do it 1000' above field elevation, looking for other traffic and the windsock to determine the runway in use. Descend on the dead side of the pattern, cross mid-field and keep looking for traffic particularly from the cross-wind to down-wind. If you pick out traffic in this area follow it, if not join down-wind and carry out your approach. If the runway is clear, land.

All this free advice from an old ATC guy (retired)

[Dagwood]

4.4.8 Communications Failure - VFR
(a) CAR 602.138 speciies that where there is a two-way radio communication failure between the controlling air trafic control unit and a VFR aircraft while operating in Class B, Class C or Class D airspace, the pilot-in-command shall:

(i) leave the airspace
(A) where the airspace is a control zone, by landing at the aerodrome for which the control zone is established, and
(B) in any other case, by the shortest route;

(ii) where the aircraft is equipped with a transponder, set the transponder to Code 7600; and

(iii) inform an air trafic control unit as soon as possible of the actions taken pursuant to (i).

(b) Should the communications failure occur while operating outside of Class B, C, or D airspace precluding the pilot from obtaining the appropriate clearance to enter or establishing radio contact, and if no nearby suitable aerodrome is available, the pilot may enter the Class B, C or D airspace, continue under VFR, and shall carry out the remaining procedures listed in (a).

Should the communications failure occur and there is a suitable aerodrome nearby at which the pilot wishes to land, it is recommended that the pilot comply with the established
NORDO arrival procedure outlined in RAC 4.4.5.

Go to an uncontrolled airport.

[Hedley]

Clearly the safest thing to do, when your comm
radio fails, is to eject, because everyone knows
that aircraft in Canada cannot be operated safely
without a functioning two-way comm.

But seriously ... if your comm radio fails, try
looking outside instead.

[U/S]

Grab your copy of "Cell Phone Pilot" and call them on the phone.

[Shiny Side Up]

Please, please, please let the opening poster be a new student who maybe is confused after reading through their study material.

But seriously ... if your comm radio fails, try
looking outside instead.

Best advice ever.

[pilotman15]

Depends entirely on where you are and your situation,

If your in Southern Ontario there are plenty of airports both controlled and uncontrolled. If you were to have a comm failure just fly the 15-20 minutes to the nearest uncontrolled airport and land, following the NORDO procedures. If the only airport you could make happened to be controlled, call the tower on your cell to avoid setting off their radar when you put 7600 in the transponder. They will give you instructions via cell phone or they will tell you squawk 7600. As a last resort with no cell phone put 7600 in the transponder and follow the full overhead procedure to land and watch the tower for light signals and acknowledge them as you receive them.

THIS ONLY APPLIES TO THE VFR PILOT BOMBING AROUND ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY AFTERNOON!!

[skateosiris]

Thanks for all of the reply's and yes I am a new student, I just have two more questions, what does a 270 degree turn look like? I was listening to the ATC and they told a pilot to do a 270 degree turn for spacing or something.

Also if you are departing a runway at what height can you make a turn to join your route?

thank you very much

[Stan Darsh]

A 270 is usually given in the downwind for a turn to base. For example, instead of just turning left to join a base leg, tower might ask you to "do a 270 to base for spacing". In that case, you would do a turn to the right with a reasonable rate until you are lined up with the base leg, a full 270 degrees. You would then continue with your circuit, leaving about 20 seconds extra between you and whatever traffic the tower was spacing you from.

As for your other question, the electronic AIM can be found on the TC website. It will become your bible. Good luck with your training.

[MichaelP]

As for overflying the airport, do it 1000' above field elevation

Not 500 feet above circuit height?

[iflyforpie]

As for overflying the airport, do it 1000' above field elevation

Not 500 feet above circuit height?

Actually for both of my comm failures, I crossed over 1000 ft above. First was in YCW in an Islander; circuits are to the south, so I wouldn't be plowing through the pattern. Second was in AA8 in a 172, where all the circuits are on the west and you won't conflict with the flow of traffic.

But where all circuits are left-handed, 1500 AAE or 500 above the circuit, whichever is higher.