What to do with lost comms in IFR?
If unable to communicate with ATC during Instrument flight, first try to reestablish contact via multiple methods:
- Try to contact ATC on the previous frequency.
- Try using another COMM radio if you have one installed.
- If another aircraft is on the frequency and can hear you, It may be possible to communicate with ATC through this other aircraft.
- Check your chart or GPS for the nearest ATC frequency.
- Try calling ATC over the emergency frequency: 121.500.
If these methods aren’t successful, FAR 91.185(c) comes into effect:
- Route to fly:
- Route assigned in most recent ATC clearance
- If being radar vectored, fly direct to the fix or route specified in the vector clearance. If no assigned route;
- Route ATC advised may be expected. If you don’t have an expected route;
- Fly the route filed in your flight plan
- Altitude to fly should be the higher of:
- Assigned altitude
- Altitude ATC advised you to expect
- Minimum IFR altitude for your route segment
- Leave clearance limit:
- “When the clearance limits is a fix from which an approach begins, commence descent and approach as close as possible to the expect-further-clearance time if one has been received, or if one has not been received, as close as possible to the estimated time of arrival as calculated from the field or amended (with ATC) estimated time en route”.
- “If the clearance limit is not a fix from which an approach begins, leave the clearance limit at the expect-further-clearance time if one has been received, or if non has been received, upon arrival over the clearance limit and proceed to a fix from which an approach begins and commence descent or descent and approach as close as possible to the estimated time of arrival as calculated from the filed or amended (with ATC) estimated time en route”.
Additionally, set transponder code to 7600 - indicating two-way communication failure.
Backup Handheld Aviation Radios
Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course - Video: Lost Communications Procedures
