gkdave
Pre-Flight
Thought I share my experience tonight on a planned XC from NC to Ohio. On IFR flight plan in some IMC after takeoff. All appears normal. Tower switches me to Departure, all good. Dep says can't pick me up. Asked to recycle transponder. No problems yet. Still nothing on transponder. All looks normal on Transponder. Asked to recycle again. Ablige, then Garmin GTN650 begins to flicker, act crazy and then goes out. No worries, still have comms and iPad for back up GPS.
Then dead silence on radios, 2nd radio KX155 dead. In IMC dead radios. No worries, transponder was still working. I was only about 10 mins into the flight at 2000ft. Tried the fuses, nothing. About then I came out of the cloud and could see ground and turned around, beeline for the airport.
Now worried about incoming traffic at the regional airport I just took off from. I first squawked 7700 for about 30 seconds. Then 7600. By this time was entering the downwind leg, looking for light guns. No joy!!! So proceeded while looking for traffic with the help of my 2 teenage daughters.
Turned base and final and saw the Fire Trucks. Had the best landing I have had in a while!.
Talked to fireman, then called tower. They asked if I had seen the light gun. Nope. I asked what incident paperwork I need to do. He says, none. I did everything perfect. No need. I was shocked. But I will take it..lol.
MORAL of the story - I already went online looking for a handheld radio!! Never leaving home without it now. Glad I had my iPad for backup GPS if I had needed it.
Oh, and believe me, I know my light guns signals now!
Inflight - Steady green - cleared to land
Flashing green - Return for landing
Steady Red - Giveway and continue to circle
Flashing Red - Abort unsafe to land
Alternating Green/Red - exercise extreme caution
Then dead silence on radios, 2nd radio KX155 dead. In IMC dead radios. No worries, transponder was still working. I was only about 10 mins into the flight at 2000ft. Tried the fuses, nothing. About then I came out of the cloud and could see ground and turned around, beeline for the airport.
Now worried about incoming traffic at the regional airport I just took off from. I first squawked 7700 for about 30 seconds. Then 7600. By this time was entering the downwind leg, looking for light guns. No joy!!! So proceeded while looking for traffic with the help of my 2 teenage daughters.
Turned base and final and saw the Fire Trucks. Had the best landing I have had in a while!.
Talked to fireman, then called tower. They asked if I had seen the light gun. Nope. I asked what incident paperwork I need to do. He says, none. I did everything perfect. No need. I was shocked. But I will take it..lol.
MORAL of the story - I already went online looking for a handheld radio!! Never leaving home without it now. Glad I had my iPad for backup GPS if I had needed it.
Oh, and believe me, I know my light guns signals now!
Inflight - Steady green - cleared to land
Flashing green - Return for landing
Steady Red - Giveway and continue to circle
Flashing Red - Abort unsafe to land
Alternating Green/Red - exercise extreme caution