Checklist

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Expect
Introduction
Aircraft is expected to squawk A 7600 to indicate that it has air-ground communication failure. An ADS-B equipped
aircraft having RCF may transmit ADS-B emergency and/or urgency mode. An aircraft equipped with other
surveillance system transmitters, including ADS-C, may indicate the RCF by available means.
If the aircraft fails to indicate that it is able to receive and acknowledge transmissions, separation shall be
maintained between the aircraft having RCF and other aircraft, based on the assumption that the aircraft will:

VMC
Continue in VMC
Land at nearest suitable aerodrome

Report arrival by most expeditious means to the appropriate ATS unit.

IMC
For 7 minutes maintain last assigned speed and level OR minimum flight altitude, if the minimum flight altitude is
higher than the last assigned level.
The 7 minute period commences:
No compulsory reporting point OR position reports omitted: at the time the last assigned level or minimum
fight altitude is reached OR at the time of squawk 7600, whichever is LATER.
OR Compulsory reporting points AND position reports not omitted: at the time the last assigned level or
minimum fight altitude is reached OR at the previously reported pilot estimate for the compulsory reporting
point OR at the time of a failed report over a compulsory reporting point, whichever is LATER.

Thereafter, comply with the filed flight plan.

If being radar vectored, or proceeding offset according to RNAV without a specified limit, proceed in the most
direct manner possible to rejoin the CPL no later than the next significant point, taking into consideration the
applicable min. flight altitude.
The ACFT will proceed to the designated navigational aid serving the destination aerodrome and hold until
commencement of descent.
Commence descent at, or as close as possible to, the EAT last received and acknowledged, OR if no EAT
received and acknowledged, commence descent at, or as close as possible to, the ETA resulting from the CPL.
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Complete a normal instrument approach procedure as specified for the designated navigation aid.
Land, if possible, within 30 minutes after the ETA specified OR within 30 minutes of the last acknowledged
expected approach time, whichever ever is later.

Provide
Partial Communication Failure
Provide control using SSR cide/ADS-B transmission changes or IDENT to obtain acknowledgement of clearances
issues to the aircraft.

Manoeuvring instructions shall be such that the aircraft would regain its current cleared track after having
complied with the instructions received.

Complete Communication Failure

Separation minima based on ATS surveillance systems may continue to be used.
Appropriate information describing the action taken by the air traffic control shall be transmitted blind on the
frequencies available on which the aircraft is believed to be listening (Incl voice freq on RNAV or APP aids).
Inform about meteorological conditions favourable to a cloud-breaking procedure and meteorological
conditions at suitable aerodromes.

Inform other aircraft in the vicinity.

Co-ordinate the RCF ACFT to all air traffic services units concerned along the route of flight.
The ACC in whose area the destination aerodrome is located shall take steps to obtain information on the
alternate aerodrome(s).
If ACFT might proceed to the alternate aerodrome, the ATC unit serving the alternate aerodrome shall be
informed.
If an ATC Unit re-establishes contact with the ACFT, this Unit shall inform the previous Units.

Defence
When an aircraft is experiencing an apparent RCF, be ready to:
Apply 2000ft separation between RCF ACFT and the other ACFT if operating in RVSM airspace.
Make use of other aircraft to relay messages when you believe aircraft is operating at extreme range or in
conditions of poor preparation.
Inform the appropriate military authorities.

As a Tower controller transmit an ARR (arrival) message:

...for a landing at the destination aerodrome:
to all ATS units concerned with the flight during the period of the communication failure;
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to all other ATS units which may have been affected.

...for a landing at an aerodrome other than the destination aerodrome:

to the ATS unit serving the destination aerodrome;
this unit shall then transmit an ARR message to other ATS units concerned with the flight during the period of
the communication failure.