Lost communications - P-330

CHAPTER NINE

T-34C CONTACT

If ATC replies, they will ask you to squawk a certain code on your

transponder. They may also ask you to provide other information in order

to give you a vector (heading) to home field. If it appears that clouds will

be on your vectored flight path, advise Approach and circle while

maintaining VFR.

(d)

CONSERVE - Operate the aircraft (when straight and level) at maximum

endurance power setting of 420 ft-lbs. torque.

(e)

COMPLY - With instructions received from another dual aircraft,

Approach, or your base. Many prominent landmarks are available in and

around your working areas to give clues as to your general whereabouts.

If you find yourself lost, the important thing to remember is this: Do not

fly about aimlessly. Be calm and develop a plan using your good

judgment and established procedures. If you still cannot identify your

position after having gone through the five "Cs," look for any established

landing field. Before landing at a strange field, circle it at a safe altitude

and locate all obstacles and hazards. Determine the wind direction and

duty runway and try to get a rough estimation of runway length and width.

If there is a tower at the field, try to contact Approach or Tower on

GUARD prior to landing. Once you are ready to land, make a normal

traffic pattern. Remember that the field elevation may be considerably

different from that of your home field. Use your best estimation and

adjust accordingly. Once on deck, notify your base of the situation.

During foul weather, maintain a visual reference to the ground. DO NOT

FLY ABOVE AN OVERCAST. If you happen to blunder above a cloud

layer, try to find a hole in the clouds and let down VFR. If letdown is

impossible and no other instructions have been received (five "Cs"),

bailout is a consideration. Do not wait until fuel exhaustion, but do not be

in a hurry to "throw in the towel" either. Be calm and exercise good

headwork. Prior planning and preparation will prevent an incident such as

those described above.

ii.

Lost communications. Should you experience lost communications, you may

have just one bad channel. Try calling tower, ground, approach, or area

common. Also, try setting in the manual frequencies. If this fails, utilize the

lost comm procedures as described in the SOP. Remember, during Lost Comm

YOU are responsible for safe separation, so watch for other aircraft and remain

VFR. Be sure to make all voice reports in the blind and rock your wings

approaching the break. On final, double-check the Landing Checklist complete

and for a green light from the tower. (Know what all of the light signals mean

as they can and will be given to you.) Make a full-stop landing and clear the

duty runway when safe.

iii.

PEL. Should a PEL be necessary, execute one without hesitation at the nearest

paved field. If the PEL is made to a short runway, be prepared to use Abort

procedures to stop once the landing is made.

9-4 SOLO FLIGHT: CONTACT 4401