Virtual Skies

Communication You Decide

**Step 1**
Questions	Question 1	Question 2	Question 3	Question 4	Question 5	Question 6
A. Decision to be made (Phrased as a question.):	How do I communicate if either or both my receiver and transmitter are inoperative?	Should I land immediately or go on to my destination airport?	If I need to land immediately, where should I land?	How will the airport and I communicate?	If my transponder is working does it need to be on a special setting?	How do I go about making the emergency landing happen safely?
B. Critical Factors Involved	The 2 VOR navigation receivers are working The indicator on the transponder is blinking normally so that means it should be working. I do not know for sure if my transmitter is working. My GPS is operative, so I do know with some accuracy where I am.	I have enough fuel to get to my destination airport. I can only fly under VFR conditions. My GPS is operative, so I do know with some accuracy where I am.	Landing at the nearest airport makes the most sense. The airport I choose to make my emergency landing at should have light air traffic with a runway long enough for my plan to land safely on. I need to know which airspace I am currently flying in before I maneuver toward an airport for an emergency landing. I know where I am on the aero chart and by spotting landmarks below.	There is a special light code I can use to communicate. There is a wing maneuver I can use to communicate.	The indicator on the transponder is blinking normally so that means it should be working.	I need to stay outside or above Class D surface area (airspace) until I can determine the direction and flow of traffic, so I can enter the pattern without compromising safety. I need to be watchful of a signal light from the control tower. It would be safest to land at a small, towered airport that has light air traffic.
C. Information known	The 2 VOR navigation receivers are working The indicator on the transponder is blinking normally so that means it should be working. I do not know for sure if my transmitter is working. My GPS is operative, so I do know with some accuracy where I am.	I have enough fuel to get to my destination airport. I can only fly under VFR conditions. My GPS is operative, so I do know with some accuracy where I am	Landing at the nearest airport makes the most sense. The airport I choose to make my emergency landing at should have light air traffic with a runway long enough for my plan to land safely on. I need to know which airspace I am currently flying in before I maneuver toward an airport for an emergency landing. I know where I am on the aero chart and by spotting landmarks below	There is a special light code I can use to communicate. There is a wing maneuver I can use to communicate.	The indicator on the transponder is blinking normally so that means it should be working.	I need to stay outside or above Class D surface area (airspace) until I can determine the direction and flow of traffic, so I can enter the pattern without compromising safety. I need to be watchful of a signal light from the control tower. It would be safest to land at a small, towered airport that has light air traffic.
D. Information needed (question)	A) How do I communicate? B) Are there FAA regulations to guide what to do in this situation? C) Is this considered an emergency?	A) How soon after my radio fails should I land? B) Should I land at a towered or untowered airport?	A) Where am I exactly on the aeronautical chart and what are the nearest airports to my current position? B) What do I need to know before I just descend and land?	A) What are the special light codes used for communication during radio failure? B) What are the special wing maneuvers used for communication during radio failure?	What is the transponder supposed to be set on?	What is the transponder supposed to be set on? B) What are the steps to be taken?
E. Resources for fact-finding	FARs regulations: Communications Failure	FARs regulations	FARs regulations	FARs regulations	FARs regulations	FARs regulations
F. Answers to each question	A) I continue radio to use reporting what my problem is, just in case my transmitter is still working, as well as what I plan to do, so that others on the ground and in the air will know of my predicament and will help or stay clear as need be. B) Yes, the regulations are clear (see the following sections of the "you Decide" choices: communications with radio failure; distress and urgency communications; transponder during radio failure)	A) According to FARs regulations the pilot should land as soon as practicable. The pilot should land as soon as safely possible. B) A towered airport would probably be best as long as it has light air traffic. At a towered airport the local controller could helpyou land safely using the lights for communication. However, you can land at an untowered airport, but you must observe the traffic pattern before approach.	A) According to my current position, I am closest to the _____ Airport and the ____ Airport and the _____ Airport. B) I need to know which airspace I am currently flying in before I maneuver toward an airport for an emergency landing. I should observe traffic patterns below and fly smoothly into the pattern to get on an approach path.	A) The special light code consists of a steady green light means clear to land; a flashing green means return for landing; a steady red means to give way to another aircraft and continue circling; a flashing red means it is unsafe for landing; alternating red and green means to use extreme caution. B) The wing maneuver during daylight hours consists of rocking my wings to show that I have have received the light transmission. During night time flying I should blink my landing or navigation lights.	Mode A/3, Code 7600: this will broadcast that the radio is not functioning.	A) According to my current position, I am closest to the _____ Airport and the ____ Airport and the _____ Airport. B) Step 1: Reset transponder for proper broadcast; Step 2: Check on aeroautical chart for exact position and locate surrounding airports; Step 3: Find an aiprot that has light air traffic and has a runway length that can accommodate the airplane's landing roll; Step 4: Monitor incoming an doutgoing air traffic before descending to enter airport's airspace for approach and landing; Step 5: Without distrupting the traffic pattern, enter into the approach phase and use wing and aircraft lighting signals to communicate with the local controller; Step 6: Land and monitor local controller's light signals all the way thorugh taxiing until safely parked.

**Step 2**
A. Possible Decisions	B. Negative Consequences	B. Positive Consequences	C. Rationale
1) __________ Airport	With the lightest air traffic and most accommodating runway length, the only negative consequences of this towered airport choice are simply maneuvering into the traffic pattern smoothly for a safe landing.	With the lightest air traffic and most accommodating runway length, this towered approach and landing should be safely and successfully accomplished.
2 __________ Airport	With the light air traffic and an accommodating runway length, the only negative consequences of this airport choice are simply maneuvering without assistance from a local controller and maneuvering into the traffic pattern smoothly for a safe landing.	With the light air traffic and an accommodating runway length, this untowered approach and landing should be safely and successfully accomplished, though probably a little nerve-wracking.
3) ___________ Airport	With the moderate air traffic and an accommodating runway length, the only negative consequences of this towered airport choice are simply maneuvering with assistance from a local controller and maneuvering into the moderate traffic pattern smoothly for a safe landing.	With the moderate air traffic and an accommodating runway length, this towered approach and landing should be safely and successfully accomplished, though probably a little nerve-wracking with the increased amount of air traffic.

**Step 3**
Final decision with rationale: TOP 3 CHOICES	First Choice:	Second choice:	Third Choice:
Reflect upon decision: