Flying DME Arc, lose DME, now what?
01-12-2011, 03:10 PM
#12
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I think it's clear that the question assumes no GPS that can substitute or it wouldn't be asked (although asking "what other equipment do I have on board" would be a good question). Even a handheld GPS would be a lifesaver in this situation.
Out of ATC communication also? Hope you have those sectionals. I would not turn to the VOR for the reasons already stated.
01-12-2011, 03:16 PM
#13
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The original question was how to respond to the question, if asked. Of course, assumptions like, "the VOR has to be in a lower MSA, so fly over there" are a great way to paint yourself in a corner during the interview.
Don't make it up. If there's not a prescribed procedure in regs, SOP, etc, then use ALL the tools at your disposal. Ask the other crew member. Ask ATC. If no obvious answer is immediately apparent, I'd say CLIMB and get to the missed approach (assuming you are below the MA altitude). Obviously, any missed will require specifics from the approach to determine how to do that. Maybe there is a NOTATION on the chart just for the possibility of loss on a navaid signal.
If asked the question, methodically think it through if you don't know the answer. Guessing, assuming... bad plan.
Don't make it up. If there's not a prescribed procedure in regs, SOP, etc, then use ALL the tools at your disposal. Ask the other crew member. Ask ATC. If no obvious answer is immediately apparent, I'd say CLIMB and get to the missed approach (assuming you are below the MA altitude). Obviously, any missed will require specifics from the approach to determine how to do that. Maybe there is a NOTATION on the chart just for the possibility of loss on a navaid signal.
If asked the question, methodically think it through if you don't know the answer. Guessing, assuming... bad plan.
01-12-2011, 03:19 PM
#16
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01-12-2011, 03:28 PM
#17
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Not in Helena, Montana, it won't. It may be an emergency, and you may squawk 7700, but unless you have two way radio communication with Helena, and tell them, they probably won't have a clue.
Even a handheld GPS would be a lifesaver in this situation.
I don't recommend your answering being to bring in unapproved electronic devices into the cockpit and then using them for an emergency with no briefing, no company procedures or training, etc.
Out of ATC communication also? Hope you have those sectionals. I would not turn to the VOR for the reasons already stated.
Unless the airline has sectionals specifically for VFR flight, I don't recommend that being your answer.
01-12-2011, 03:51 PM
#18
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Ok barring GPS, FMS, VFR reversion, ATC vectors, radar coverage, backup DME units, or VFR sectionals at your disposal it seems all you can do is climb back to MSA as quick as you can. So what heading am I to recommend with that climb? Back to the missed approach hold?
01-12-2011, 05:29 PM
#19
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You already mentioned Helena MT. I'll mention the middle of the Colorado Rockies. You're now postulating a situation with no DME, no radar contact, no ATC communication.
Heck, I'd pull out my smartphone with it's internal GPS and geo-referenced sectional charts and use that if it was my best option. I'd rather be alive without a job than dead with one, so the company can say, "he's dead, but he died in accordance with proper procedures".
The interviewer may not care, but hopefully the pilot does. But if it's all about checking off the right box, I'll defer.
01-12-2011, 05:35 PM
#20
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The climb to MSA is somewhat obvious but the direction you take is going to be based in large part on the climb performance of your aircraft, the surrounding terrain and the weather conditions (the VFR option already mentioned), all of which you, of course briefed.
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