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3 Answers

How to find out the Altimeter setting midflight when lost comm IFR

Asked by: 3605 views Airspace, Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Instrument Rating, Student Pilot

Let us say, we are on flight from Atlanta to New York, and mid-flight we suddenly lose our communication. Lost comm.

How do we find out the Altimeter setting at JFK in the midpoint between ATL and JFK airports?

 

Steve.

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3 Answers



  1. Koehn on Apr 23, 2016

    You received the altimeter setting with your IFR briefing.

    Other options include ADS-B or XM to get the current setting.

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  2. Kris Kortokrax on Apr 23, 2016

    If you were really concerned about this, you could take a handheld radio with you.

    That would also solve your lost comm problem.

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  3. Skyfox on Apr 26, 2016

    If you’re still able to hear your NAV radios, you could try to find a VOR transmitting an AWOS recording, or HIWAS in hopes it mentions an altimeter setting (note that TWEB is only used in Alaska any more). And if you’re able to transmit on your comms radio but not receive, you could attempt to reach a FSS that replies over a VOR in the area to not only give you an altimeter setting but also relay your lost comms situation to ATC.

    Don’t forget to squawk 7600. If you’re in IMC and find VMC, discontinue IFR and proceed in visual conditions to somewhere you can land. In the case you mentioned, flying into JFK with lost comms when you could have gone elsewhere in VMC would be a bad day for everyone. But if you remain in IMC then just follow your lost comms procedures and continue to your destination.

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