AIM Text
- Arriving Aircraft.
- Receiver inoperative.
- If you have reason to believe your receiver is inoperative, remain outside or above the Class D surface area until the direction and flow of traffic has been determined; then, advise the tower of your type aircraft, position, altitude, intention to land, and request that you be controlled with light signals.
- When you are approximately 3 to 5 miles from the airport, advise the tower of your position and join the airport traffic pattern. From this point on, watch the tower for light signals. Thereafter, if a complete pattern is made, transmit your position downwind and/or turning base leg.
- Transmitter inoperative. Remain outside or above the Class D surface area until the direction and flow of traffic has been determined; then, join the airport traffic pattern. Monitor the primary local control frequency as depicted on Sectional Charts for landing or traffic information, and look for a light signal which may be addressed to your aircraft. During hours of daylight, acknowledge tower transmissions or light signals by rocking your wings. At night, acknowledge by blinking the landing or navigation lights. To acknowledge tower transmissions during daylight hours, hovering helicopters will turn in the direction of the controlling facility and flash the landing light. While in flight, helicopters should show their acknowledgement of receiving a transmission by making shallow banks in opposite directions. At night, helicopters will acknowledge receipt of transmissions by flashing either the landing or the search light.
- Transmitter and receiver inoperative. Remain outside or above the Class D surface area until the direction and flow of traffic has been determined; then, join the airport traffic pattern and maintain visual contact with the tower to receive light signals. Acknowledge light signals as noted above.
- Receiver inoperative.
- Departing Aircraft. If you experience radio failure prior to leaving the parking area, make every effort to have the equipment repaired. If you are unable to have the malfunction repaired, call the tower by telephone and request authorization to depart without two‐way radio communications. If tower authorization is granted, you will be given departure information and requested to monitor the tower frequency or watch for light signals as appropriate. During daylight hours, acknowledge tower transmissions or light signals by moving the ailerons or rudder. At night, acknowledge by blinking the landing or navigation lights. If radio malfunction occurs after departing the parking area, watch the tower for light signals or monitor tower frequency.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 4-2-13.
The short answer
This AIM section is FAA advisory guidance for communicating with a control tower when an aircraft transmitter, receiver, or both are inoperative. It covers arriving and departing aircraft procedures—joining outside or above the Class D surface area, watching for light signals, and acknowledging by rocking wings or blinking lights—supporting 14 CFR 91.125 and 91.129.
Research Notes
Common Questions
What do I do if my receiver is inoperative when arriving?
Remain outside or above the Class D surface area until traffic flow is determined, then advise the tower of your type aircraft, position, altitude, and intention to land, and request light-signal control. About 3 to 5 miles out, advise position and join the pattern, watching the tower for light signals.
How do I acknowledge tower transmissions with a transmitter failure?
During daylight, acknowledge tower transmissions or light signals by rocking your wings; at night, by blinking the landing or navigation lights. Hovering helicopters turn toward the facility and flash the landing light; in flight they make shallow banks in opposite directions.
What should I do if my radio fails before departing?
If radio failure occurs prior to leaving the parking area, make every effort to have it repaired; if you cannot, call the tower by telephone and request authorization to depart without two-way radio communications. If granted, you will be given departure information and asked to monitor tower frequency or watch for light signals.