FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)Regulations and CurrencyMedium
A pilot flying IFR in IMC experiences a two-way radio communications failure. Shortly afterward, the aircraft exits the clouds into clear VFR conditions. According to 14 CFR 91.185(b), what should the pilot do?
- ASquawk 7600 and enter a holding pattern at the nearest fix
- BClimb immediately to the route MEA and proceed to the destination
- CContinue VFR and land as soon as practicable
- DContinue flying under IFR procedures until reaching the original clearance limit
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Continue VFR and land as soon as practicable
14 CFR 91.185(b) states that if the failure occurs in VFR conditions, or if VFR conditions are encountered after the failure, the pilot must continue the flight under VFR and land as soon as practicable. This overrides the IFR lost-comm procedures in 91.185(c) once VFR conditions exist.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Squawking 7600 is appropriate but holding is not required once VFR is available.
- B. Climbing to the MEA applies to IFR lost-comm procedures, not once VFR conditions exist.
- D. IFR lost-comm procedures under (c) apply only if VFR conditions are not encountered.
Lost Comm in VFR Conditions — 91.185(b)
If a pilot loses two-way radio in IMC but later encounters VFR conditions, 91.185(b) requires continuing VFR and landing as soon as practicable rather than following IFR lost-comm routing/altitude rules.
- VFR encountered after failure overrides IFR lost-comm procedures
- 'Land as soon as practicable' is not the same as 'as soon as possible'—it allows reasonable judgment
- Applies regardless of whether the failure began in VFR or IMC
Memory trick: 'See sky, land nearby'