SERA.14083 Radio communication failure procedures

(a)     When an aircraft is unable to comply with SERA.8035, point (a), the flight crew shall attempt to establish contact on the previous channel used and, if not successful, on another channel appropriate to the route. If these attempts fail, the flight crew shall attempt to establish communication with:

(1)     the appropriate air traffic services unit;

(2)     other air traffic services units; or

(3)     other aircraft,

using all available means, including, inter alia, data link, satellite voice and mobile phones and, when successful, advise that contact on the assigned channel could not be established.

(b)     When an expected communication from an aircraft has not been received within a time period such that the occurrence of a communication failure is suspected, or when requested by other air traffic services units, the air traffic controller shall call the aircraft on the frequencies on which the aircraft is believed to be listening, and:

(1)     when providing surveillance service, the air traffic controller shall normally determine whether or not the aircraft’s receiver is functioning, and if successful, continue providing air traffic control service using SSR code/ADS-B transmission changes or IDENT transmissions to obtain acknowledgement of clearances issued to the aircraft;

(2)     if not successful, the air traffic control unit shall:

(i)      request other air traffic services units to render assistance by calling the aircraft and relaying messages, if necessary;

(ii)     request aircraft on the route to attempt to establish communication with the aircraft and relay messages, if necessary;

(iii)     initiate the notification to the aircraft operator, as soon as possible, of any failure in air-ground communication;

(3)     if the attempts described in points (2)(i) and (2)(ii) fail, blind transmission of air traffic control clearances shall not be made to aircraft, except at the specific request of the originator. Other messages should be transmitted by blind transmission on the frequencies on which the aircraft is believed to be listening.

(c)      When an aircraft is unable to comply with point SERA.8035(a) and the attempts described in point (a) of SERA.14083 to establish communications are not successful, the radio communication failure procedures described below shall be applied:

(1)     The aircraft, when forming part of the aerodrome traffic at a controlled aerodrome, shall keep a watch for instructions as may be issued by visual signals.

(2)     The aircraft shall set the transponder on Mode A Code 7600 and/or set the ADS-B transmitter to indicate the loss of air-ground communications and comply with the procedures described in points (3), (4), (5) and (6), as appropriate.

(3)     A VFR flight shall continue to fly in visual meteorological conditions, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, and report its arrival by the most expeditious means to the appropriate air traffic services unit.

(4)     Except as provided for in point (5), an IFR flight shall:

(i)      maintain the last assigned speed and level, or minimum flight altitude if higher, for a period of 20 minutes following:

(A)     the aircraft’s failure to make a required report; or

(B)     the time the transponder is set to 7600 and/or the appropriate ADS-B emergency and/or urgency mode is transmitted if surveillance service is provided,

and thereafter adjust level and speed in accordance with the filed flight plan as amended by delay and modification messages to the filed flight plan;

(ii)     when being vectored or having been directed by ATC to proceed offset using area navigation (RNAV):

(A)     with a specified limit, continue to that limit, then rejoin the last received and acknowledged route, taking into consideration the applicable minimum flight altitude; or

(B)     without a specified limit, rejoin the last received and acknowledged route no later than the next significant point, taking into consideration the applicable minimum flight altitude;

(iii)     proceed according to the last received and acknowledged route clearance to the appropriate designated navigation aid or fix serving the destination aerodrome and, when required to ensure compliance with point (iv) below, hold over this aid or fix until commencement of descent;

(iv)     commence descent from the navigation aid or fix specified in point (iii) at, or as close as possible to, the expected approach time last received and acknowledged; or, if no expected approach time has been received and acknowledged, at, or as close as possible to, the estimated time of arrival;

(v)      complete an instrument approach procedure as specified for the designated navigation aid or fix; and

(vi)     land, if possible, within 30 minutes after the estimated time of arrival specified in point (iv) or the last acknowledged expected approach time, whichever is later.

(5)     An IFR flight following a standard instrument departure route or a standard instrument arrival route shall comply with the procedures for radio communication failure specified on the Standard Departure Chart – Instrument (SID) or Standard Arrival Chart – Instrument (STAR), when provided.

(6)     If an IFR flight encounters visual meteorological conditions and the pilot-in-command decides to continue to fly in visual meteorological conditions, the pilot shall set Mode A Code 7601, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, and report arrival by the most expeditious means to the appropriate air traffic services unit.

(d)     The provision of air traffic control service to flights operating in the airspace concerned shall be based on the premise that an aircraft experiencing communication failure complies with point (c).

(e)     As soon as it is known that an aircraft operating in its area of responsibility is experiencing an apparent radio communication failure, an air traffic control unit shall forward information concerning the radio communication failure to all air traffic services units concerned along the route of flight. The area control centre in whose area the destination aerodrome is located shall take steps to obtain information on the alternate aerodrome(s) and other relevant information specified in the filed flight plan, if such information is not available.

(f)      When an air traffic control unit receives information that an aircraft, after experiencing a communication failure, has re-established communication or has landed, that unit shall inform the air traffic control unit in whose area the aircraft was operating at the time the failure occurred, and other air traffic services units concerned along the route of flight, giving necessary information for the continuation of control if the aircraft continues its flight.

(g)     The signals used in case of communication failure shall be in accordance with Appendix 1.

[applicable from 1 May 2025 – Regulation (EU) 2024/404]