jdwatson
Line Up and Wait
As I was nearing FAK (Flat Rock VOR) on my trip to KPOU, I thought about what I would do if I went NORDO or worse (complete electrical failure). I'm approaching one of the busiest airspaces and approach corridors, surrounded by ADIZ and F-16s, add in that I'm IMC 50% of the time and dodge build-ups the other 50%.
My mantra until landing at KFDK was, "Let's not make the news today." I kept my handheld radio (with spare battery pack) and my Garmin 96C ready to go just in case.
With those factors, I'm not sure I would have complied with AVEF MEA if I went NORDO. I was torn between the NORDO procedures and trying my best to get in touch with ATC, preferably on the ground, as soon as I could have. Maybe at KCHO or KRIC.
I think I would have made the evening news if I flew FAK LURAY MRB EMI FDK without ATC contact. I imagined holding over EMI until my ETA then shooting the ILS-6 to a very busy KFDK. Not a pretty picture in my head. The more I thought about it the more I appreciated my Bride's gift of the 96C.
What would you have done if you were NORDO nearing the ADIZ ?
P.S. I would consider this type of failure an emergency and use my PIC to declare as such.
My mantra until landing at KFDK was, "Let's not make the news today." I kept my handheld radio (with spare battery pack) and my Garmin 96C ready to go just in case.
With those factors, I'm not sure I would have complied with AVEF MEA if I went NORDO. I was torn between the NORDO procedures and trying my best to get in touch with ATC, preferably on the ground, as soon as I could have. Maybe at KCHO or KRIC.
I think I would have made the evening news if I flew FAK LURAY MRB EMI FDK without ATC contact. I imagined holding over EMI until my ETA then shooting the ILS-6 to a very busy KFDK. Not a pretty picture in my head. The more I thought about it the more I appreciated my Bride's gift of the 96C.
What would you have done if you were NORDO nearing the ADIZ ?
P.S. I would consider this type of failure an emergency and use my PIC to declare as such.