Radio failure in the circuit at a controlled aerodrome
You are flying a Cessna 152 in the circuit at Brunei International Runway 03. On downwind, your radio fails completely - you can hear nothing and your transmissions are not acknowledged. You are one of three aircraft in the circuit. The tower has cleared you to touch and go on the previous circuit and expects you to continue. You have a serviceable transponder. Weather is CAVOK, wind 020/8 kt. You have 1 hour 30 minutes of fuel. Your student is anxious and asks what you will do.
1. What are your immediate actions on realising the radio has failed?
Read the worked answer
First, fly the aircraft and maintain a safe circuit - do not troubleshoot at the expense of lookout. Check the obvious: volume, squelch, headset plugs, intercom, and the frequency selector; try the other radio if fitted. Then squawk 7600.
Continue in the circuit, keep a good lookout, and follow the established circuit pattern. Because you were cleared to touch and go and the tower expects you, the safest course is to complete the approach and land, giving way to other traffic and watching for light signals from the tower. Do not make sudden changes to your pattern that other aircraft will not expect. Brief your student calmly: you will land and report to ATC on the ground.
2. How will you know whether you are cleared to land, and what light signals should you look for?
Read the worked answer
The tower will use light signals. On approach, watch the tower for a steady green, a flashing green, a steady red, or a flashing red.
A steady green means cleared to land; a flashing green means cleared to land and return to the apron or taxi - but in the air a flashing green is not standard, so treat any green as clearance to land and proceed to the apron after landing. A steady red means give way to other traffic and continue circling. A flashing red means aerodrome unsafe, do not land. A flashing white in the air means land and return to the starting point; a red flare means do not land for the time being.
If you see a steady red, continue in the circuit and look for a green on the next approach. If you see a flashing red, break off and climb, then decide whether to divert. Acknowledge signals by rocking the wings if able.
3. After landing, what should you do before leaving the runway and what report should you make?
Read the worked answer
Vacate the runway at the first suitable taxiway and stop clear of the runway. Do not proceed across taxiways without a signal or instruction. Watch for a light signal from the tower: a flashing green or steady green means cleared to taxi. If you cannot get a signal, stop and wait, or ask the tower by telephone once parked.
Then report to ATC: "Cessna 1234, radio failure on downwind, landed Runway 03, request instructions." Give the nature of the failure and whether you can receive on any frequency. This allows ATC to close the occurrence, check for other traffic affected, and advise engineering. If the failure was caused by a simple item such as a headset, say so, as it affects the report.