← All explained questions · Supplemental · IX — Emergency Operations

If two-way radio communications are lost in VFR conditions, the recommended pilot action is to

Choices

do nothing and continue with the original plan.
Doing nothing risks airspace violations.
✓ squawk 7600, attempt comm on alternate frequencies.correct
FSS, last known ATC freq, 121.5 emergency), proceed in VFR conditions, land at the nearest suitable airport, and notify ATC by phone after landing. Use light-gun signals if approaching a towered field. VFR comm-loss procedure: squawk 7600 (controller sees the lost-comm flag), try alternate frequencies, continue VFR to nearest suitable airport. At a towered airport, look for light-gun signals (steady green = cleared to land, flashing red = airport unsafe, etc.). Always file a NASA ASRS report afterward. 7700 is for general emergencies, not comm loss alone.
squawk 7700.
7700 is for general emergencies, not specific to comm loss (use 7600).
shut down the radios completely.
Don't shut radios down — try other frequencies first.

Why

FSS, last known ATC freq, 121.5 emergency), proceed in VFR conditions, land at the nearest suitable airport, and notify ATC by phone after landing. Use light-gun signals if approaching a towered field. VFR comm-loss procedure: squawk 7600 (controller sees the lost-comm flag), try alternate frequencies, continue VFR to nearest suitable airport. At a towered airport, look for light-gun signals (steady green = cleared to land, flashing red = airport unsafe, etc.). Always file a NASA ASRS report afterward. 7700 is for general emergencies, not comm loss alone.

FAA source: AIM 6-4-1, 14 CFR 91.185; AIM 6-4-1 Two-way Radio Communications Failurebrowse the reference library →

Covered in Supplemental · IX — Emergency Operations — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.