In IFR operations, if two-way radio contact is lost in controlled airspace, what transponder setting and action are recommended?

In IFR operations, if two-way radio contact is lost in controlled airspace, what transponder setting and action are recommended?

• A. Squawk 7600, maintain the last reported heading, altitude and speed for 20 minutes, then proceed by your route and land at your destination preferably within 30 minutes of your published ETA
• B. Squawk 7600, continue with your last clearance and land immediately
• C. Squawk 7500 and declare an emergency
• D. Squawk 7700 and try to re-establish contact

Answer: (A)

When two-way radio failure happens in controlled IFR airspace, you follow a predictable plan that keeps traffic sequencing safe and gives ATC a clear picture of what you’ll do next. You set your transponder to 7600 to signal a loss of communications. Then you should continue on the last heading, altitude, and speed reported by ATC for about 20 minutes. This keeps your flight path stable and avoids surprises for other traffic while ATC decides how best to handle the situation. After that period, proceed along the route you were last cleared to follow, or the route ATC has advised you to expect, or the filed route if no further clearance exists. Plan to land at your destination as soon as practicable, ideally within about 30 minutes of your published ETA, rather than delaying indefinitely or trying to force an immediate landing without coordination. This approach preserves orderly traffic flow and ensures you don’t drift off into conflicts or unsafe areas while you’re unable to communicate. Options that indicate hijack or a general emergency aren’t appropriate for a routine loss of communications, and simply landing immediately after losing contact can create risks with other aircraft and ATC coordination.

When two-way radio failure happens in controlled IFR airspace, you follow a predictable plan that keeps traffic sequencing safe and gives ATC a clear picture of what you’ll do next. You set your transponder to 7600 to signal a loss of communications. Then you should continue on the last heading, altitude, and speed reported by ATC for about 20 minutes. This keeps your flight path stable and avoids surprises for other traffic while ATC decides how best to handle the situation. After that period, proceed along the route you were last cleared to follow, or the route ATC has advised you to expect, or the filed route if no further clearance exists. Plan to land at your destination as soon as practicable, ideally within about 30 minutes of your published ETA, rather than delaying indefinitely or trying to force an immediate landing without coordination. This approach preserves orderly traffic flow and ensures you don’t drift off into conflicts or unsafe areas while you’re unable to communicate. Options that indicate hijack or a general emergency aren’t appropriate for a routine loss of communications, and simply landing immediately after losing contact can create risks with other aircraft and ATC coordination.