Lost communications...
So, yesterday I had my first real-life (not simulated) in-flight emergency. As I was about to fly VFR over SEA (Seattle-Tacoma International) on my way to Renton (KRNT) I lost my radios. To be exact, I could receive and hear everything, but could not transmit. It happened in the worst moment possible, as I asked clearance to transition through Class Bravo airspace, received it, and as soon as I was ready to read it back I could not transmit...
For those " born to crawl" , in order to fly over "Class B" airspace (which covers most of the large airports in the country) you need three things (well, you need a lot more, but as far as permissions concerned...):
1) Ask for permission to enter;
2) Get the permission;
3) Read back details of the permission.
The conversation went:
P(Pilot): -- Seattle Tower, Warrior 8325H entering Vashon Island at 2500 request transition through Class B airspace to Renton;
ST (Seattle Tower): Warrior 8325H, squawk 4067, ident. Seattle altimeter 29.83.
P; 4067, 2983. 8325H.
ST: Warrior 8325H radar contact X miles SW, alt. 2400, cleared through Class B airspace at North end over numbers 16C at 1500.
P:.....
ST: Warrior 8325H, read back the clearance.
P:....
ST: Warrior 8325H, do not enter Class B airspace.
At this time I am circling around and checking out my stupid radios, going through checklists: audio panel - check, headset plugged in - check,squelch - don't know why I even checked it (it used to receive mostly), grabbing headset from the PAX and using his button - does not work... The circling part would have been much easier with an autopilot, but all nice planes were out, so I could only grab this crappy Warrior on a short notice. My passenger (one of the MS guys) , I think, was getting a bit nervous, and my son was sleeping on the backseat (his usual routine).
As I was thinking about setting 7600 on my transponder (to indicate lost comm) and landing at the closest airport (which happened to be Seattle Tacoma International), after a few kicks to the transmitter button radio started to work again. Of course, it would have been fun to do an emergency landing in SEA... I could have made evening news... "Small plane makes emergency landing in Seatac"... In reality, however, I would have flown about 15 miles south or north and landed at class E airport where radio is not even needed, or went home to Renton to practice light signals:)
Anyway, I tested the radio, got back to Seattle Tower, got clearance, read back promptly and uneventfully landed home at Renton. Incidently, saw my instructor at the pilot lounge, told him the story and got couple hints. But, overall, I handled it OK. Did not feel any pressure, was decisive and accurate, did not even wake up a passenger on the back:)
For those " born to crawl" , in order to fly over "Class B" airspace (which covers most of the large airports in the country) you need three things (well, you need a lot more, but as far as permissions concerned...):
1) Ask for permission to enter;
2) Get the permission;
3) Read back details of the permission.
The conversation went:
P(Pilot): -- Seattle Tower, Warrior 8325H entering Vashon Island at 2500 request transition through Class B airspace to Renton;
ST (Seattle Tower): Warrior 8325H, squawk 4067, ident. Seattle altimeter 29.83.
P; 4067, 2983. 8325H.
ST: Warrior 8325H radar contact X miles SW, alt. 2400, cleared through Class B airspace at North end over numbers 16C at 1500.
P:.....
ST: Warrior 8325H, read back the clearance.
P:....
ST: Warrior 8325H, do not enter Class B airspace.
At this time I am circling around and checking out my stupid radios, going through checklists: audio panel - check, headset plugged in - check,squelch - don't know why I even checked it (it used to receive mostly), grabbing headset from the PAX and using his button - does not work... The circling part would have been much easier with an autopilot, but all nice planes were out, so I could only grab this crappy Warrior on a short notice. My passenger (one of the MS guys) , I think, was getting a bit nervous, and my son was sleeping on the backseat (his usual routine).
As I was thinking about setting 7600 on my transponder (to indicate lost comm) and landing at the closest airport (which happened to be Seattle Tacoma International), after a few kicks to the transmitter button radio started to work again. Of course, it would have been fun to do an emergency landing in SEA... I could have made evening news... "Small plane makes emergency landing in Seatac"... In reality, however, I would have flown about 15 miles south or north and landed at class E airport where radio is not even needed, or went home to Renton to practice light signals:)
Anyway, I tested the radio, got back to Seattle Tower, got clearance, read back promptly and uneventfully landed home at Renton. Incidently, saw my instructor at the pilot lounge, told him the story and got couple hints. But, overall, I handled it OK. Did not feel any pressure, was decisive and accurate, did not even wake up a passenger on the back:)