Establish two-way communications with the proper controlling agency, use proper phraseo...
Establish two-way communications with the proper controlling agency, use proper phraseology, comply, in a timely manner, with all ATC instructions and airspace restrictions, and exhibit adequate knowledge of communication failure procedures.
Bottom line
Each IFR flight should be planned and executed in anticipation of a two-way radio failure; at any given point the pilot must know exactly what route to fly, what altitude to fly, and when to continue beyond a clearance limit. Pilots can use the transponder to alert ATC to a radio communication failure by squawking code 7600. If only the transmitter is inoperative, listen for ATC instructions on any operational receiver, including the navigation receivers, and attempt to reestablish communications by contacting ATC on a previously assigned frequency or calling an FSS.
FAA references
- AC 90-100, para. 10d — AC No: 90-100A
- 14 CFR 91.185 (IFR operations: Two-way radio communications failure.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- IFH ch. 10 (p. 10-5) — FAA-H-8083-15B
- IFH ch. 11 (p. 11-8) — FAA-H-8083-15B
- IPH ch. 2 (p. 2-47) — FAA-H-8083-16B
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