SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-transmitter-failure-arrival

Your transmitter fails while arriving at a towered airport. What should you do?

Monitor the tower and watch for light signals.

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  1. Land without observing the tower
  2. Monitor tower and watch for lights ✔
  3. Fly straight in, skipping the pattern

Why: Stay outside or above the Class D surface area until you know the traffic flow. Then join the pattern, monitor tower, and look for a light signal.

Huh, didn't know that: In daylight, an airborne airplane acknowledges a tower signal by rocking its wings.

The dad joke
The silent radio still listened carefully, it was all ears.
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References

Answer: Monitor tower and watch for lights. Stay outside or above the Class D surface area until you know the traffic flow. Then join the pattern, monitor tower, and look for a light signal.

  1. FAA AIM 4-2-13, Communications with Tower when Aircraft Transmitter or Receiver or Both are Inoperative www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap4_section_2.html
    Monitor the primary local control frequency as depicted on Sectional Charts for landing or traffic information, and look for a light signal which may be addressed to your aircraft.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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