Pilot Proficiency

What to Do If You Lose ATC Contact on an IFR Flight

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 09:23 PM ET

Verified

What do you do if you lose contact with ATC? iStock

Key Takeaways:

In VFR conditions with a two-way radio failure, pilots should squawk 7600, continue flight visually, and land as soon as practicable at the nearest suitable airport.
In IMC, pilots experiencing radio failure must squawk 7600 and adhere to specific rules for routing (last assigned, vectored, expected, or filed) and altitude (highest of last assigned, minimum en-route, or expected).
When cleared to a destination in IMC after radio failure, pilots should proceed to an initial approach fix (IAF) and commence the approach as close as possible to their estimated time of arrival (ETA), exercising good judgment and emergency authority if necessary.
For a total electrical failure in IMC, the primary action is to climb or descend to a VFR altitude and proceed to VFR conditions.

See a mistake? Contact us.

In VFR Conditions: