VFR radio communication failure

Your radio quits while flying VFR. The rule (CAR 602.138) is built around one idea: stay VFR.

Do this:

• Remain in VMC. As a VFR pilot you must stay clear of cloud; do not press on into IMC.
• Leave the Class B, C, or D airspace (CAR 602.138): in a control zone, by landing at the aerodrome for which the zone is established; otherwise, leave by the shortest route.
• Set the transponder to 7600 if you have one, to tell ATC the radio has failed.
• Inform ATC as soon as possible.
• At a controlled aerodrome, watch the tower for light-gun signals and follow them.
• Acknowledge a light signal by rocking the wings (day) or a single flash of the landing light (night) (TC AIM RAC 4.4.7).

The light-gun signal meanings (steady/flashing green and red) are a separate lesson; here you only need to know to look for them and how to acknowledge.

Do not confuse this with the IFR failure procedure, which is CAR 602.137.

Trap: entering cloud to "press on" to your destination. A VFR pilot must stay in VMC. And 7600 is the failure code, not 7700 (emergency) or 7500 (hijack).

Practice