Interesting question.
Certainly not option 2. The 7 minutes is designed to allow ATC to gets its act together before the aircraft starts doing something unexpected. And 7 minutes applies in respect of levels only. On that basis, not option 3.
I think a strict reading of ENR 1.1.3 3.2.4.1(e) suggests that you should continue to the holding fix serving the destination before diverting. Operationally, that might be desirable too, as there may be an expectation of re-establishing comms before getting there.
However, the idea of flying, with a fried radio, over their alternate in the full knowledge that they're going to fly back there with minimum fuel 30 mins later may make an immediate diversion a little too tempting for most pilots to resist.
Last edited by bookworm; 11th Jun 2005 at 12:59.