VFR Radio Communication Failure...Which Airport?

Skid

Skid

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Skid
Say my home airport is Class D. There are other uncontrolled airports in the local area, with an overlying class B.

If I'm on just a basic VFR scenic flight, and lose my radio, which airport would be the best to return to? The AIM outlines the procedures to follow when entering Class D, but would this be preferred over just going to an uncontrolled field instead?

To me, the controlled field seems like the safer option because while it would be expectedly busier, they could potentially see a 7600 squawk as well as give instructions to others to avoid me.

Along the same lines, if I were transitioning through Class B with flight following on a return flight to that same Class D. Would it be prudent to exit the Class B immediately? Or continue on as they expected me to with gradual altitude changes?
 
why not circle the towered field and wait for the disco lights?
 
eman1200 said:
why not circle the towered field and wait for the disco lights?
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That's what I'd prefer to do. Would they be thinking, why didn't he go to 1 of the 3 other uncontrolled fields right next to here?
 
Most control towers in Class D do not have radar. So no one in the tower will see your 7600 code. ATC, after seeing your code, may call the tower and tell them you are headed their way.

If you are in Class B, you are operating with a Clearance and have to comply with ATC instructions you received.
 
I had a class D comm failure during my return from my SES checkride. I thought it was a test. It wasn't. Fly the normal inbound route and watch for the light. Uneventful.
 
Clip4 said:
Most control towers in Class D do not have radar. So no one in the tower will see your 7600 code. ATC, after seeing your code, may call the tower and tell them you are headed their way.

If you are in Class B, you are operating with a Clearance and have to comply with ATC instructions you received.
Click to expand...

This is what I did. Hit 7600, approach control in Houston saw it, called Easterwood tower and let them know I was heading their way. The one and only time I have ever seen the disco lights while in the air.

I called approach on the land line in CLL tower and thanked them, and bought pizza for the tower guys.
 
I'll start with an opinion - a busy non-towered field is more dangerous for NORDO than ANY towered airport.

Now a question - where was you cellular phone? If you're around 2500MSL you'll probably get a signal. Call FSS and tell them what's going on. They'll help. They may even help by giving you the tower phone number.

I looked a bit for an old post of mine... first solo XC from KFWS to F35. Lost all electrical on the return.

I happened to have the tower phone number so I called them and told them what was going on. They said cross Mid-field at 2500' turn LEFT downwind for 17R and look for the light signals. We also briefly reviewed the light signals (which were printed on my knee board).

Back at the FBO I was debriefing with my CFI and one of the other students was like "That was you?" So with the phone call the tower had been advising the area traffic to be on the lookout.
 
I'd probably find a uncontrolled tower that I knew was quiet, land, and call the tower at my destination and let them know I plan to arrive NORDO at a specific time and place, as well as where I was planning on taxiing to after landing. Put together a plan ahead of time and then there are no surprises for anyone.

More than likely though, once on the ground I'd have a chance to check things out and there's a good chance I could fix the radio problem without having to go NORDO.
 
I to had a partial comm failure going into class D. I could hear them but could not transmit. I circled outside the traffic pattern was given light signals and was cleared to land. No problem. I did purchase a handheld and carry it on every flight now. I also installed an extra comm antenna and wired it to hook into the handheld when needed.
 
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I bought a headset adapter for my handheld. Makes it MUCH easier to hear over the engine noise!
 
Back...up...portable...radio.

I have used it twice. Worth every penny.
 
If you're based at a controlled field and you don't have a handheld you haven't been based at a controlled field for long. Inexpensive insurance, mine has gotten me in on a number of occasions.
 
Zeldman said:
This is what I did. Hit 7600, approach control in Houston saw it, called Easterwood tower and let them know I was heading their way. The one and only time I have ever seen the disco lights while in the air.
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Same here. I was outside the ORD class B, near but outside the 30nm veil. Approach saw the squak and called ahead to my destination to advise... guessing based on track since I was VFR and not using FF. I was able to text someone at the field, they went up into the tower and relayed clearances by text.

I don't think they had texting in mind when they wrote 2-way communication!

BTW I learned the light gun is hard to see from the air especially if you're debugging your gear down situation...
 
I've opened this thread four times to respond and couldn't think of a way to answer till now:

It depends.
 
eman1200 said:
why not circle the towered field and wait for the disco lights?
Click to expand...

Zeldman said:
This is what I did. Hit 7600, approach control in Houston saw it, called Easterwood tower and let them know I was heading their way. The one and only time I have ever seen the disco lights while in the air.
Click to expand...

I recommend asking for "light gun simulation" next time tower isn't busy (and they appreciate it as they don't do it often). Here in El Paso, back in the day my CFI and I did just this at mid day. Tower cab has window tinting and some type of venetian that pulls down for the sun. We did 8 TNGs and all the flashing appeared white (they cycle through everything and told us what color they were doing). Tower had us so close on downwind it was getting close to a buzz job. Recommend cell phone or hand held radio. Good luck if it's daytime.
 
danhagan said:
I recommend asking for "light gun simulation" next time tower isn't busy (and they appreciate it as they don't do it often). Here in El Paso, back in the day my CFI and I did just this at mid day. Tower cab has window tinting and some type of venetian that pulls down for the sun. We did 8 TNGs and all the flashing appeared white (they cycle through everything and told us what color they were doing). Tower had us so close on downwind it was getting close to a buzz job. Recommend cell phone or hand held radio. Good luck if it's daytime.
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I used to do that with students when I was instructing. After a few tries, I changed to asking for light gun signals at night. Much easier to see.

Now I have all important numbers on speed dial. Actually, those numbers are voice activated so I don't get a ticket for using my phone while flying....
 
Zeldman said:
I used to do that with students when I was instructing. After a few tries, I changed to asking for light gun signals at night. Much easier to see.
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My CFI years ago did, and I really appreciate it. His reasoning being you'll be relaxed until trying to figure out the signal, will probably be at a new field, and uptight about after landing procedures. Then he discussed a few accidents where a minor problem resulted in a fatal wreck.
 
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