pointSixtyFive

5-10-4

Lost Communications

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

When weather reports indicate that an aircraft will likely encounter IFR weather conditions during the approach, take the following action as soon as possible after establishing radar identification and radio communications (may be omitted after the first approach when successive approaches are made and the instructions remain the same):

  1. If lost communications instructions will require the aircraft to fly on an unpublished route, issue an appropriate altitude to the pilot. If the lost communications instructions are the same for both pattern and final, the pattern/vector controller must issue both. Advise the pilot that if radio communications are lost for a specified time interval (not more than 1 minute) on vector to final approach, 15 seconds on a surveillance final approach, or 5 seconds on a PAR final approach to:
    1. Attempt contact on a secondary or a tower frequency.
    2. Proceed in accordance with visual flight rules if possible.
    3. Proceed with an approved nonradar approach, or execute the specific lost communications procedure for the radar approach being used.
  2. If the final approach lost communications instructions are changed, differ from those for the pattern, or are not issued by the pattern controller, they must be issued by the final controller.
  3. If the pilot states that he/she cannot accept a lost communications procedure due to weather conditions or other reasons, request the pilot's intention.