← All explained questions · Communications and Air Traffic Control
A VFR pilot loses two-way radio communication approaching a towered airport. What should the pilot do?
Choices
✓ Squawk 7600, remain VFR, and watch the tower for light gun signalscorrect
The pilot squawks 7600, stays in visual conditions, and looks for a light signal to receive clearance.
Squawk 7500 and land immediately without looking for signals
7500 indicates hijacking and is the wrong code for a radio failure.
Climb into the clouds and continue toward the destination
A VFR pilot must remain in visual conditions, not enter clouds.
Continue without action since the radio is not required
The pilot must squawk 7600 and watch for light gun signals to land at a towered field.
Why
On lost communication a VFR pilot squawks 7600, troubleshoots the radio, remains in visual conditions, proceeds to a suitable airport, and watches the tower for light gun signals to receive a landing clearance.
FAA source: AIM 6-4 / 14 CFR 91.185AIM 4-3-13browse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.