In a radio failure scenario, what is the initial step you take?

• A. Squawk 7600
• B. Overfly the active runway at 700' MSL & 70 KIAS
• C. Make all calls in the blind
• D. Turn downwind, look for ALDIS lamps

Answer: (C)

The first action in a radio failure is to keep others informed by making all calls in the blind. Since you can’t rely on hearing ATC or other traffic, you should broadcast your position, altitude, and intentions on the proper frequency as if you are being heard. This helps controllers and pilots know where you are and what you plan to do, reducing the risk of conflicts.

After you’ve begun broadcasting, you would then set the transponder to indicate a communications failure (squawk 7600) and proceed with the appropriate lost-communications procedures. The other options aren’t related to the immediate response to a radio failure: overflying the active runway at a specific pattern is a maneuver not tied to handling loss of radio, and looking for ALDIS lamps is an outdated signaling method.