Pilot's tip of the week

Comm Failure Troubleshooting

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Subscriber question:

"I had a comm failure on my way back to the airport and it was a bit of a goat rope getting it sorted and restoring communications. Do you have any advice on how to deal with comm failures?" — Ryan P.

David:

“Most comm failures are caused by the pilot. If you have a communications problem, follow an organized pattern of trouble shooting:

  • Check you have the right frequency in the active slot
  • Check you have the right radio selected in the audio panel
  • Check the volume by cancelling the auto squelch and listening for the volume of the static
  • Press the push to talk switch and look for the “tx” indication on the radio
  • Switch to a second radio (if you have one) and repeat the same four steps.

If you still have no comms then it is likely the push to talk switch has failed or your head set is bad. You can plug your headset in the right-side jacks and try to transmit using the right side push to talk button. Or you can try the handheld mic, if the airplane has one.

Chances are, one of these will fix your problem. If not, carefully work your way into a quiet pattern at a non-towered airport where you can get the problem looked at.

While you head that way, check your ammeter and voltmeter to confirm normal operation. Failed comms can be the first warning sign of a failed electrical system.”

(NEW) IFR Mastery scenario #173 “Mammoth Winds West of Macon” is now available. A last-minute switch to a slower airplane is unfortunate, but flight planning shows strong tailwinds will almost make up the difference. The time and range should still work—until you level off in cruise and see an ETA an hour further out than you anticipated. Surely that can’t be right. But what is right? Watch the Intro video.

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