FlyWithX

IFR - Lost Comm

Lost Communications: NORDO (No radio)

Best option may be to declare an emergency to yourself and fly to VFR or do an approach to the nearest airport using your GPS or portable devices even though not IFR certified. Squawk 7600 or even 7700. Transmit in the blind what your intentions are.

In case of lost communications, a pilot is expected to hold at a fix located at the destination airport on the inbound course at the aircraft’s altitude. ATC will protect airspace and altitude.

ATC supposes that you are where you are supposed to be. ATC clears the airspace along your route giving you a large block of airspace from which other aircraft are excluded.

Lost Comm: Route

Remember: AVEF (like "Avenue F")

In this order:

  • If VFR or reaching VFR, remain VFR and land as soon as practicable (FAR 91.185b)
  • A: As last assigned by ATC; (If departing on a SID you follow SID unless VFR) (FAR 91.185 c)
  • V: If vectored, direct to fix, route, airway given in vector clearance
  • E: In absence of assigned route by route advised, expected
  • F: As filed.

Note: if you are cleared to the destination airport, fly to the airport first (at the altitude discussed below), then to an IAF of your selected approach. Do NOT go to IAF directly, and do NOT descend yet.

Lost Comm: Altitude

Remember: MEA.

No specific order. Highest of

  • Minimum altitude in FAR 91.121
  • Expected altitude
  • Assigned altitude

Cautions: No climbing to a MEA until at fix requiring MEA

  • MCA and MRA must be reached by anticipatory climb
  • MOCA gives VOR signals only within 22 nm.

Lost Comm: Approach

In event of two-way radio failure in IMC follow FAR 91,185. ATC will keep all IAF (initial approach fixes) protected until 30 minutes after ETA. A clearance limit should be given in the clearance. Being cleared as filed to an airport contains no "clearance limit". Your IFR clearance is to a given airport. Enroute you lose radio communication. You now have a series of "if" options. In today's radar ATC the clearance limit is usually the destination airport in which FAR 91.185 (c) (3) does not apply. Just fly your route, complete the approach, and land. ATC considers the approaches to be extensions of the airport.

  1. If two-way com failure occurs in VMC (visual meteorological conditions) you should continue in VFR and land as soon as practicable. FAR 91.185
  2. If IMC and at IAF early (FAR 91.185 (c)3). If without EFC (expect further clearance), hold only until you have enough time left to fly the approach and touchdown at your ETA.
  3. If the clearance limit you are holding at is a fix that is not one from which the approach begins (IAF): a. If you have an EFC , so you should depart the holding fix at the EFC time. Far 91.185 & AIM Para 470 b. If you do not have an EFC, upon arrival you depart to a fix from which an approach begins and commence descent or descent and approach as close as possible to the ETA as calculated, filed or amended for the estimated time enroute (ETE).

Per FAR 91.185(c)3. Hold at IAF until EFC time. If an EFC has not been given, leave the hold when you have only enough time to fly the published approach and land at your ETA.

Emergency

If it is an emergency, you may break these rules if necessary.