LiveATC Discussion Forums
Aviation => Pilot/Controller Forum => Topic started by: monroe762 on August 19, 2009, 06:19:10 PM
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I've always wondered what happens if an aircraft loses all 2-way (voice) radio communication during flight? I'm guessing that there are different procedures for different areas etc...Assume that nobody on board has a cell-phone either.
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You are correct in assuming that there are different procedures in place. If you loose transmitting and can still listen, the controllers will ask you to ident with your transponder. This makes your target flash on their screen. Basically answering yes or no questions. If you can not send or receive then there are a list of things you must do.
The plane I fly has 3 VHF radios, 2 HF radios and a satelite phone. All are powered differently so that there is redundancy.
In short it would be very rare that a total communication blackout would occur.
PS Cell phones don't generally work above 10,000 feet.
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In the event you experienced total radio failure and had no backup, you would put the transponder code '7600' into the transponder. If you are on a filed flight plan, you will continue flying the flight plan to the last point you were cleared to or land at the nearest airport. Really isn't too much else you can do in a total radio failure scenario, just try and get on the ground ASAP and get in contact with ATC or Flight Service as soon as you do so they don't initiate SAR looking for you.
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As above, and each country will have it's own procedures in place but there all pretty similar.
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For the US reference, look up 14 CFR 91.185 for what to do.
--Carlos V.