What should a pilot do if they lose communications at a towered airport?

If a pilot loses communications at a towered airport, squawking 7600 indicates a radio failure. This code is recognized by air traffic control and alerts them that the aircraft is experiencing a communication issue, prompting them to provide visual or procedural assistance as needed.

When squawking 7600, it's essential to continue to follow any published traffic patterns and standard operating procedures for the airport to ensure safety and maintain situational awareness among other aircraft. Pilots should also attempt to troubleshoot the communication problem, if safe to do so, but prioritizing safety by adhering to the established protocol for radio failure is vital.

Returning to the nearest airport or circling above the airport might not be appropriate responses unless directed by ATC or necessary due to safety conditions. Activating 7700, the emergency squawk, is intended for situations requiring immediate assistance or when the pilot is in distress and should not be used solely for communication failures. Therefore, correctly using 7600 allows pilots to effectively communicate the nature of their situation to air traffic control without indicating an emergency.