lost comm clarification

[flyownnav]

If a lost comm situation arises enroute and the clearance limit is the airport, is there a requirement to hold if you arive early? I couldn't find the FAR that deals with the airport as a clearance limit, only a fix from which the approach can or can't begin. (91.185.c.3) Logically it doesn't seem necessary since ATC didn't anticipate the need to give a clearance short of the airport.
Thanks

 

[HMR]

What? An unclear FAR?

If you look at 91.185(C)(3)(ii), it looks like you're supposed to fly to the airport then "proceed to a fix from which an approach begins".

I once asked someone from ATC about this and he said (paraphrase) "We know you're Lost Comm so we want you out of the airspace ASAP. Just shoot an approach and land." Sounds simple enough but like everything in aviation, if there's an incident I need a better excuse than what "some guy from ATC" told me.

 

[flyownnav]

Exactly the quandary I'm speaking of, and if you are not GPS equipped how exactly do they want you to fly to the airport and then to an IAF?

 

[pilotyip]

It is an emergency

Like HMR say above, Now a days lost comm is an emergency, exercise you emergency authority and get on the ground. Answer questions later. Look into John Travolta's G-II story from 1993. They went lost comm, landed at DCA, that was not on their flight plan, at 2100L against traffic. End of story no violations.

 

[greygoose]

The airport is your clearance limit, if your clearance limit were a fix outside a busy airport you are stuck at that fix until your eta. Thats why they mostly say cleared to your destination as filed. If you were to arrive at the airport and hold for 20 to 30 minutes you more then less would shut down that airport from arrivals. I had heard it happened because a pvt inst pilot held near a airport until is eta.

 

[JAFI]

Many pilots think you have to fly to their destination. If you find your self in VFR you are to land some where ----VFR. Check the lost comm FAR.

You need to have 91.3 memorized. It is not long or unclear. You can deviate from any part to MEET an emergency. It means just that.

Lost comm is somewhat a thing of the past with cell phones. Do you know the phone number of a local ATC or FSS facility you use?????

JAFI

 

[HMR]

Many pilots think you have to fly to their destination. If you find your self in VFR you are to land some where ----VFR. Check the lost comm FAR.

Since the poster mentioned 91.185 I assumed he was aware of 91.185(b) and was refering to a flight that remained in IMC conditions.

What kind of cell phone do you have? Mine doesn't work at 15,000' much less FL390.

 

[JAFI]

What kind of cell phone do you have? Mine doesn't work at 15,000' much less FL390.

Well I do not think cell phone were ever designed to work at 390. At the lower altitudes they work just fine (if you are in range of a cell tower) if can get a signal - Not over the Pacific, North Pole, outer space, etc. If your aircraft can fly at 390 you may have a Flight Phone of some sort.

I have talked with pilots that think if you are on an IFR flight plan you must remain on the flight plan untill you land at your destination. They do not remember that if you find your self VFR, and can stay VFR, you are to find an airport and land VFR.

JAFI

 

[HMR]

I have talked with pilots that think if you are on an IFR flight plan you must remain on the flight plan untill you land at your destination. They do not remember that if you find your self VFR, and can stay VFR, you are to find an airport and land VFR.

Another reason why it's good to spend some time as a CFII. We don't forget that stuff.

You're right about the flight phone. Works great.

 

[JAFI]

Another reason why it's good to spend some time as a CFII. We don't forget that stuff.

IMHO working as a flight instructor is the best route to go (at least it was for me). You really don't start learning until you have to teach the material.

JAFI