Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 06.14.06

Worst-case scenario: you're in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) when your communication radios fail. Here's what to do:

• Route: Continue the flight along the route (in this priority):
• • last assigned by Air Traffic Control (ATC); or
  • if being radar vectored, by the direct route from the point of radio failure to the fix, route, or airway specified in the vector clearance; or
  • in the absence of an assigned route, by the route that ATC has advised may be expected in a further clearance; or
  • by the route filed in the flight plan.

• Altitude: Fly at the HIGHEST altitude or flight level:
• • assigned in the last ATC clearance received; or
  • the minimum en route altitude (or, if appropriate, the minimum Flight Level) for the route segment being flown; or
  • the altitude or flight level ATC has advised may be expected in a further clearance.

The intent of the rule is to select the appropriate altitude for the particular route segment being flown and make the necessary altitude adjustments for subsequent route segments.

Aero-tip of the day: Lose radio communication in IMC and fly the route and altitude that provides safety while allowing ATC to anticipate your actions—to get others out of your way.

FMI: Aero-Tips