Procedure for departing a controlled field w/ no radio

SixPapaCharlie

SixPapaCharlie

May the force be with you
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I need headset jacks repaired. On field shop is outrageous. I have a contact at another field that will make the repair far cheaper.

Squawk 7600, call the tower and let them know I will be waiting at some time and wait for light gun signals?

I can probably get a handheld but I would still like to know this process.

Thanks.
 
I'd probably call the tower on the phone and ask how they'd like you to handle it. They may give you light gun signals, but (depending on traffic and time of day) I wonder if they could just give you a taxi and takeoff clearance over the phone. I'd make the first call well before your planned departure (hours or days) to see how they'd like to handle it. That'll let you know whether to brush up on light signals (I carry a reference card) and what the procedure is they'd like you to follow.
 
First step is not 7600. It's make a phone call to the tower, explain the situation and then arrange time for your departure and watch for the light signals. This isn't an emergency.
 
I'd borrow a portable. Always nice to have voice communication.
 
No on 7600. That will not go over well. Borrow a handheld, or call and arrange for light signals.
 
Let me add another $.02. Buy a microphone and keep it in the airplane. Headsets fail, "become stolen" or forgotten. Backup microphone is just like a flashlight: great when you need it.

Of course you will want to tell the tower you can hear, you just can't talk until you get the repair done. They will likely ask you to express yourself with a flash of the landing light or the ident button, control wiggle, or some such so they don't have to get out their copy of the light signal reference card. Worst case they will ask you to read back your hold short instructions using Morse code with the landing light :)

Scott
 
Brad Z said:
Fly it out after the tower closes.
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Or before they open at 6:00am.

B, One of our club members owns a Sporty's handheld and might be sweet talked into letting you borrow it.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Have a speaker but no hand mic
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Let ATC know when you call them. It would be easier than a light gun, which is also a one-way communication anyway. I'd offer to call them right before startup, and then when they see your plane startup (or when it moves to a certain location) they can just give you voice clearance which you can acknowledge with a landing light or just continue as directed.

Definitely easier than light guns and less likely to result in confusion.

DEFINITELY better than squawking 7600!
 
ALL of the headset jacks?

Plug your headset into the right seat's jacks, and use the PTT on the right yoke.

It's not hard to reach even in a bigger spam can. I had to do this once in a 182.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
I need headset jacks repaired. On field shop is outrageous. I have a contact at another field that will make the repair far cheaper.

Squawk 7600, call the tower and let them know I will be waiting at some time and wait for light gun signals?

I can probably get a handheld but I would still like to know this process.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Get the handheld. It's a good piece of gear to have on the ground or in the air as a backup.
 
I had something similar happen to me.

Called the tower on my cell, Bluetoothed into my headset, got taxi, takeoff all via cell till I exited the Charlie, then thanked em and adios.
 
Pro Tip:

Pre-program the Landing Calculator in case something happens on departure and you need to return quickly.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Pro Tip:

Pre-program the Landing Calculator in case something happens on departure and you need to return quickly.
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But Mrs. 6PC thought that cardboard landing calculator with the crayon markings B had tossed on that wide shelf on the RH side was really a coaster. Now he needs to figure out if that circle is the 5-mile D-space ring or just a stain from the bottom of the coffee mug.
 
James331 said:
I had something similar happen to me.

Called the tower on my cell, Bluetoothed into my headset, got taxi, takeoff all via cell till I exited the Charlie, then thanked em and adios.
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Very nice! I'll have to remember that one.
I have called up and filed IFR over the phone while flying...they said it sounded like I was at the bottom of a well.

Jim
 
You can get a Vertex handheld with aviation headset adapter for about $200 on amazon. I also had my A&P install a second VHF antenna at my last annual. That and a piece of coax and you have piece of mind for a situation like this.
 
After run up, just text the tower that you are departing and they should clear other traffic. (Kidding of course)

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
 
dukeblue219 said:
Let ATC know when you call them. It would be easier than a light gun, which is also a one-way communication anyway.
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Light guns are not one way.

You should acknowledge receiving a light gun signal on the ground by moving control surfaces in daytime, and blinking landing lights at night. In the air, you can wag the wings or flash the landing light.

See AIM 4-3-13.
 
I have a Hand held with a PTT that straps to your yolk, plugs right into your headset. Stop by and you can borrow it.
 
Thanks Tim, I will let you know when I need it.

As far as flying from the right they are shot too. We have a "previous owner issue".
One of the headsets (pilot) was scratchy, Seemed to be the plug. Wiggle it and static goes in and out.

We unscrewed the plate that has the jacks for mic/headset for both pilot and co-pilot. As soon as we lifted the plate, the connections on all but 1 of the wires just crumbled and broke loose.

Really shoddy soldering job. I was going to rewire it but was overruled. Dad wants it professionally redone. Probably the right decision. I've wired my weight in speakers, guitars, cabinets, you name it. Even a 65 mustang from head to tail so this seems pretty elementary but I can see wanting any issues that might arise to be addressed by someone that has to sign off on it.
 
tecprotb said:
I have a Hand held with a PTT that straps to your yolk, plugs right into your headset. Stop by and you can borrow it.
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Bear in mind that in order to strap anything to your yolk, you generally have to cook it first.
 
I've done so a couple of times, I've even done so from IAD post-9/11.
Call the tower. You can use the phone or a handheld or a radio in someone else's plane.

It's no big thing.
 
I think anyone based at a controlled field should have a handheld. I feel it the height of stupidity to ground a fifty thousand dollar aircraft for the want of a two hundred dollar radio.
 
steingar said:
I think anyone based at a controlled field should have a handheld. I feel it the height of stupidity to ground a fifty thousand dollar aircraft for the want of a two hundred dollar radio.
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HaHa. It is on the list, just hasn't made it into the budget yet.
 
Palmpilot said:
Bear in mind that in order to strap anything to your yolk, you generally have to cook it first.
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Maybe I should have called it a steering wheel, its been so long since I've seen or used one of those things it took me long enough to remember what it was called much less how to spell it.:rofl:
 
James331 said:
I had something similar happen to me.

Called the tower on my cell, Bluetoothed into my headset, got taxi, takeoff all via cell till I exited the Charlie, then thanked em and adios.
Click to expand...

+1. This is how we do it at my field with no radios, inbound or outbound.
 
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