While the same protocols for radio failure might not apply to all communication failure scenarios, pilots need to use their proactive decision-making skills to determine the best course of action.

Advance flight safety simulator training by Momentum Flight Training is great for helping even experienced pilots to exercise sound judgment during emergencies like two-way radio communication failures.

Our lead instructors are dedicated to delivering a powerful learning experience for pilots transitioning from general or corporate aviation roles into regional airlines.

The CRJ simulator training helps develop the proficiency and confidence needed to practice several unique situations regional pilots often have to navigate while on duty.

What to Do if Radio Fails on IFR Flights

Whether you're in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) or Visual Metrological Conditions (VMC), there are certain protocols for radio failure that need to be followed for safe operations.

It's vital to know that you must follow the same VMC scenario as the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights even if you're on the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight: if there's no apparent reason for radio communication loss, there's a high chance there may be some human error involved.

In this case, some troubleshooting procedures can be performed before moving on to the official process pilots need to follow officially. Confirm the radio volume and frequency are right before confirming the input or cord being used is serviceable. It's recommended to turn off the squelch to determine if the radio signals are clear.

You can also try to contact stations at other frequencies. If you establish communication, request assistance by sharing your altitude, position, and last assigned frequency.

Try to attempt contacting the guard station if you can't establish a connection with a different station. If the troubleshooting fails to work, there are many other official protocols for radio failures that pilots can perform to handle the situation properly.  

Pro Tip: Never stop transmitting in the blind, despite the communication problem. This is because it's highly likely that the transmitter functions correctly, so continuing the effort to make radio transmissions can be helpful in this situation.

Protocols for Instrument Metrological Conditions (IMC)

When a pilot cannot maintain VMC or the failure occurs during IFR conditions, 14 CFR 91.185 states that they must continue the flight.

Route

The route would be as per the latest ATC clearance. When radar vectored through the direct route from the points between the fix and the radio failure, airway, or route indicated in the vector clearance.  

When the assigned route is absent, the route advised by the ATC might be further expected for clearance. If no ATC-advised route is assigned, further clearance will be expected by the route filed in the flight plan.

Altitude

Never descend below the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) until you're established on the highest of the flight levels or altitudes last assigned by the ATC. The MSA can be converted to MFL for IFR operations, according to FAR 91.121(c). Expect further ATC clearance on the advised flight level or altitude.

Pilots experiencing two-way radio failures need to select altitudes for the specific route segments being flown so necessary altitude adjustments can be made for subsequent route segments.

If you receive an 'expect further clearance' at a specified fix or time concerning a higher altitude, the highest of the last assigned altitude or the minimum flight level or altitude for IFR operations must be maintained until that fix or time.

Once the specified fix or time is reached, start climbing to the altitude advised to expect. But if the radio failure occurs after the specified fix or time, the expected altitude isn't applicable, so you must maintain the altitude consistent with the aforementioned protocols.

When you receive an 'expect further clearance' for lower altitudes, maintain the highest the last assigned altitude or the minimum flight level or altitude for IFR until the fix or time quantified in subparagraph (c).

Clearance Limit

Begin descent or begin descending and approaching as close as possible to the time specified for 'expect further clearance' when the clearance limit is a fix from where the approach begins (IAF). If further clearance time hasn't been received, decent as close to the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) that's calculated from the amended or filed ETE (Estimated Time en Route) with the ATC.

Leave the clearance limit at the 'expect further clearance' time when one has been received if the clearance limit isn't a fix when the approach begins. Proceed to the fix from where the approach begins if no 'expect further clearance' is received. Start descent or descent and approach to the ETA as calculated from the amended or filed ETE with the ATC.

Pilot Simulator Training for CRJ 200, 550, 700, and 900

Practice your aeronautical decision-making (ADM) skills with experienced instructors at Momentum Flight Training. They create stress-free hypothetical scenarios to help regional pilots learn proactive decision-making before the situation evolves into severe emergencies.

Our flight simulators for pilots is a full-function AATD with switches and knobs that simulate a realistic feel of the flight deck environment. The immersive display and experienced instructors help aspiring regional pilots learn procedures common to many aircraft.

Reach out to learn more about our 1-day, 3-day, and 5-day regional aviation pilot programs and aircraft simulator training.