Preparing for the unexpected...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: USA
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I once lost both radio boxes on 4 mile final ("under a continue approach" clearance), #2 to an aircraft clearly in sight, with 4 or 5 VFR aircraft following downwind, on base and on long final and also an instrument aircraft under vectors for the ILS.
This was at a large international airport with ATC and secondary radar.
Having a couple of minutes to think about things, I watched the aircraft in front land and clear, then decided to land after and vacate ASAP. (Having set the transponder to 7600 on final, although it was also u/s as I discovered later.)
I went to the tower to pay the landing fee, somewhat nervously, as I was not sure how my decision would be received, to be reassured by the staff that the controller was very happy I did not start flying around the busy pattern waiting for clearance by lights - under the circumstance we both preferred me to be on the ground and out of the equation.
On a quiet day, I would have followed the standard approach to lost comms, gone around and then waited for the tower to clear me by light.
I also bought a hand held radio, although that was bolting the stable door
after the occupant had long gone
This was at a large international airport with ATC and secondary radar.
Having a couple of minutes to think about things, I watched the aircraft in front land and clear, then decided to land after and vacate ASAP. (Having set the transponder to 7600 on final, although it was also u/s as I discovered later.)
I went to the tower to pay the landing fee, somewhat nervously, as I was not sure how my decision would be received, to be reassured by the staff that the controller was very happy I did not start flying around the busy pattern waiting for clearance by lights - under the circumstance we both preferred me to be on the ground and out of the equation.
On a quiet day, I would have followed the standard approach to lost comms, gone around and then waited for the tower to clear me by light.
I also bought a hand held radio, although that was bolting the stable door
after the occupant had long gone
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After checking everything for condition and security, and the voltage regulator for operation within specification, I figured that I had electrics fixed, but no, it quit again today after 30 minutes of flying.
There was only one thing I had not checked, as there really is no way to check it visually - the overvoltage sensor. It turns out, that some very long time ago, long since forgotten, I had anticipated such a failure, (someone must have suggested it to me!). After some thought, I recalled having installed a hidden switch for this situation. Sure enough, up under the panel, there was a switch which shorted out (bypassed) the live leads of the overvoltage sensor. By switching the switch, I removed the overvoltage sensor from the circuit, and it worked just fine, Unless the voltage goes over!
New overvoltage sensor on order!
So, with that worked out, and the test flying of the day as complete as the day would allow it to be, I got in to fly home. As I taxiied out, I could feel tickling in my ear, I lifted my headset, and rubbed my ear, A minute later it was tickling again. This time I had a better look. A large hornet had taken up residence in the headset, and was walking around. Ooooo, that would have hurt!
I wonder what should I unexpect next?
There was only one thing I had not checked, as there really is no way to check it visually - the overvoltage sensor. It turns out, that some very long time ago, long since forgotten, I had anticipated such a failure, (someone must have suggested it to me!). After some thought, I recalled having installed a hidden switch for this situation. Sure enough, up under the panel, there was a switch which shorted out (bypassed) the live leads of the overvoltage sensor. By switching the switch, I removed the overvoltage sensor from the circuit, and it worked just fine, Unless the voltage goes over!
New overvoltage sensor on order!
So, with that worked out, and the test flying of the day as complete as the day would allow it to be, I got in to fly home. As I taxiied out, I could feel tickling in my ear, I lifted my headset, and rubbed my ear, A minute later it was tickling again. This time I had a better look. A large hornet had taken up residence in the headset, and was walking around. Ooooo, that would have hurt!
I wonder what should I unexpect next?
