From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!Evans@CMU-CS-C Newsgroups: net.aviation Title: lost comm procedures Article-I.D.: sri-unix.4937 Posted: Mon Dec 27 11:14:56 1982 Received: Wed Dec 29 01:35:50 1982 From: Art Evans A recent note asked about whether or not lost comm procedures are still relevant. Well, of course they are still needed to pass the IFR written (and I would guess the commercial written, though I've not taken that). It is of course correct that avionics equipment is pretty reliable and that lost comm procedures are seldom needed because of its failure. However, there's only one alternator and one regulator, mechanical gadgets all to prone to failure. Also, there's probably only one microphone in the aircraft, likely a cheap one at that. And if you don't carry earphones (and few seem to), you're equally dependent on a single crummy speaker, and the single power-amp that drives it. Another item there in quantity one is the single antenna that both comms share. (It can break off if it picks up ice, or just if it gets tired.) As for loss of all electronics, both nav and com, some pilots (including Richard Collins of Flying magazine) carry a portable transceiver that provides at least radio contact, and therefore vectors. (I don't carry one, though I don't know why not. It's in the same category as buying insuirance, which I do.) An excellent possibility is in pre-flight to be sure to know which direction to head at any time to get to VFR conditions, and to be sure to have adequate fuel to get there. A good idea, not always practical. When I flew from a base near Boston, I always sort of assumed that if everything else failed I would fly east far enough to be sure to be over the ocean, then descend VERY carefully to sea level, and then head west for the coast, hoping to recognize something before hitting it. Here in Pittsburgh I can't think of any comparable way out, except perhaps to go north to Lake Erie, an unattractive thought. By the way -- if all you can do is communicate by radio, go to a military field with Ground Controled Approach (GCA). I've done it for practice at Pease AFB, and they can really bring you to 50 feet above the runway, or I guess even all the way down if necessary. This is a good one to practice first. My observation is that military controllers are usually happy to cooperate, as they must log so many monthly to keep current. File IFR for a practice low approach at the military field. I'll be interested in seeing other answers. Art Evans -- Tartan Labs -- Evans@CMUC -------