budgie wrote:
On Fri, 7 Jan 2005 20:12:39 +0000 (UTC), wrote:
Bill Turner wrote:
On Thu, 6 Jan 2005 11:12:43 -0600, "john graesser"
wrote:
It was the ptt on the mic that broke, so as another noted, he couldn't just
key down on the mic and get the towers attention.
__________________________________________________ _________
So once he had the mike apart and somehow keyed the PTT (touching wires
together, presumably) why didn't he just talk into the mike? This story
still does not ring true.
--
Bill, W6WRT
Even if true, rather than being an example of "morse code saves the day",
it is an example of stupidity.
Contrary to what most of the non-flying public may think, loss of
communications in the air is a non-event and not a life or death situation.
If you lose communications at a towered airport, all you have lost is the
ability to get traffic information from the tower.
Essentially what you are supposed to do is carefully enter the pattern
being extra vigilant for other aircraft and watch the tower for light
gun signals.
The "comms failure" procedure is taught to student pilots (at least here in .au)
AND PRACTICED prior to their PPL. You enter via the normal entry point and
route, obviously maintaining separation. The tower intially will challenge you,
then on no response will request an acknowledgement that you can read THEIR
transmissions. If you can read them, they simply direct you and keep other
aircraft advised. In the absence of an ACK, it's the light system - and from
the challenge point onwards they alert other aircraft to the situation, so there
is minimal hazard.
The pilot's attention needs to be outside the aircraft looking for other
aircraft, not screwing around playing with microphone wires.
Rule of thumb here is 90% outside, 10% on instruments for VFR
Actions as described might be part of the reason this person "used to be"
an instructor.
It is basically the same in the US.
So far I've had three comm failures in flight in rental aircraft, none of
which caused the slightest sweat.
--
Jim Pennino
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