The Radio Failure in the Control Zone
You are VFR in a Class D control zone, cleared to land on runway 27. On final, your radio fails completely. You are 3 NM out, 800 ft AGL, with 15 minutes of fuel remaining. The weather is CAVOK, wind 260/08. You have a working transponder. There is another aircraft on the runway. You have no mobile phone and no handheld radio.
1. What are your obligations and options on radio failure in a Class D zone?
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Obligations: In a Class D zone, you must comply with the radio failure procedure. The standard is to:
- Squawk 7600 on the transponder to alert ATC.
- Continue to the aerodrome and comply with the last clearance, or if no clearance, follow the published radio failure procedure.
- Look for light signals from the tower - a steady green means cleared to land; a red means give way/continue circling; a flashing red means do not land.
- Land if it is safe to do so, then report to ATC.
Options: You are 3 NM out on final with 15 minutes of fuel. You should squawk 7600, continue on final, and watch for light signals. The other aircraft on the runway is a hazard - you must not land until the runway is clear. If you receive a red light, go around. If you receive a steady green, land. If no signal, continue to a safe landing only if the runway is clear.
Fuel: 15 minutes is sufficient for one approach and a go-around, but not for extensive holding. Plan to land on the first safe opportunity.
2. How does the presence of the other aircraft affect your decision, and what would you do if you received a red light?
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Other aircraft: The runway is occupied. You cannot land until it is clear. Even with a clearance, you must ensure the runway is safe. If the other aircraft is slow to vacate, you should go around rather than force a landing.
Red light: A steady red light means give way to other traffic and continue circling. You should go around, climb, and rejoin the circuit. A flashing red means do not land - aerodrome unsafe. You should leave the circuit and follow the radio failure procedure, possibly diverting.
Decision: With 15 minutes of fuel, a go-around is feasible once, but not repeatedly. If you receive a red light, go around, squawk 7600, and plan to land on the next safe opportunity or divert. Do not enter a prolonged hold. If fuel becomes critical, declare an emergency (squawk 7700) and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.