Radio Failure — 7600 & Transmitting Blind
advancedUK phraseologyA suspected receiver failure under a radar service. Set 7600, transmit blind in the correct format, apply last-assigned route/level logic, and respond correctly when ATC calls "if you read me, squawk ident". Learn the CAP 413 communication-failure procedure.
Briefing
You are receiving a Traffic Service from Farnborough Radar on 125.250 in Cessna 172 Golf Charlie Delta Whiskey Papa, transiting to Oxford at altitude 3000 feet. Your receiver appears to have failed — you can hear nothing. You can still transmit. Squawk 7600 and transmit blind.
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- Exchange 1
Select the correct transponder code and make your first blind transmission stating the failure.
💡 Prefix a blind call with "TRANSMITTING BLIND" so anyone listening knows you cannot hear replies. The communication-failure squawk is 7600 — 7700 is for a distress, which this is not.
- Exchange 2
Transmit your intentions blind. With a radio failure you continue in accordance with your last acknowledged clearance.
💡 On a radio failure you fly your LAST acknowledged route and level (or flight-planned routing) — you do not improvise. Keep transmitting blind so ATC can plan around your known intentions.
- Exchange 3
ATC: “Golf Charlie Delta Whiskey Papa, Farnborough Radar, if you read me, squawk ident.”
Your receiver has recovered and you hear this call. Comply and confirm.
💡 "If you read me, squawk ident" is how ATC checks whether a NORDO aircraft can still receive. Press IDENT to answer; if your transmitter also works, confirm verbally.
- Exchange 4
ATC: “Golf Whiskey Papa, radar contact, continue to Oxford, squawk four five six one.”
Two-way communication is restored. Read back the new squawk.
💡 Once comms are back, a squawk change is a mandatory readback like any other. Read the discrete code back in full to confirm the controller has correctly identified you.
Background reading
- GuideFenix A320 Failure Training: Master the 4 Emergencies Every Sim Pilot Should Practice
Practice engine failure, engine fire, rapid decompression and unreliable airspeed in the Fenix A320 — step-by-step ECAM drills and how to stay calm.
- GuideYour First VATSIM Flight: From Setup to Landing Without Panic
Your first VATSIM flight, step by step: client setup, connecting, essential radio phraseology, what ATC expects, and how to recover from mistakes.
- GuideATC Phraseology for Flight Simmers: What to Say and When to Say It
Word-for-word ATC radio scripts for every phase of flight, clearance to landing — for VATSIM, MSFS default ATC and AI addons. Read them off the screen.