My student and I were on an IFR flight. Nearing our destination, it occurred to me that we hadn’t heard from ATC in a while, so I called them. No answer. I opened the squelch and tried again. Nobody home. Could we both have missed a radio call? I tried calling ATC on the frequency on the approach plate and got a booming, clear reply. No mention of being out of contact. To this day I think ATC forgot the hand off. But it could have been far worse.
Uh-Oh, Nordo
Key Takeaways:
- Most NORDO incidents stem from simple issues like incorrect volume, frequency, or faulty equipment (headset, audio panel, PTT button), requiring pilots to methodically troubleshoot these common problems first.
- When experiencing NORDO, pilots must squawk 7600; in VFR/VMC, land at the nearest practicable airport; and in IFR/IMC, strictly follow mandated route (Assigned, Vectored, Expected, Filed) and altitude (Minimum, Expected, Assigned) procedures.
- Exercising good pilot judgment and avoiding unexpected actions is paramount, as NORDO creates significant stress and unpredictability for air traffic controllers who cannot communicate with the aircraft.
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