Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

2 Answers

Radio Failure

Asked by: 7288 views General Aviation

If you have radio failure outside control airspace are you allowed to enter a control airspace?

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

2 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Bill Trussell on Dec 14, 2012

    In the creation of each type of controlled airspace the FAA spells out the requirements for entry and operation within that airspace. Depending upon the type or “class” (A,B,C,D,E) the requirements calling for communications capability and equipment vary, along with other requirements such as IFR vs. VFR in the case of class A. There is not a single answer to your question but rather one of needing to understand the type of airspace your are desiring to enter. In the case of Class E you can operate within or enter into without communications capability. All other classes require clearances and/or communications to enter.

    As a practical matter one should also consider why the different classes were established, namely to ensure ATC the opportunity to provide separation services and to establish specific weather minimums. Without communications separation is more difficlut if not impractical. In the scenario provided it would be better to remain clear of all but class E airspace and resolve the communications failure prior to entry into any other controlled airspace.

    +2 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Wes Beard on Dec 14, 2012

    Class D airspace is different than bravo or charlie airspace. If your radio fails in flight on a VFR flight you can continue to a Class D airport in VMC conditions and land provided you have sight of the tower and receive a clearance to land via light gun signals.

    http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=11443edd934b2a4c7f185a1f16736d2d&rgn=div8&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.10.2.4.16&idno=14

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.