“Cessna 9130 Delta, Pensasoda Tower, make right closed traffic. Runway 11, cleared for takeoff.”
Now what? What has ATC just authorized you to do? More importantly, what has ATC not authorized you to do? The answers are not as straight-forward as you would think.
You have declared an emergency with ATC. Then, it occurs to you. You might not have an situation that requires emergency at all.
If your emergency turns out to be a false alarm, or if you resolve your problem so you no longer have an emergency, are you permitted to cancel your emergency with ATC? We’ll nail down the answer to that question in this week’s show.
Cinch your seatbelt a little tighter because we are about to takeoff. The forecast for this show is a rough ride in moderate turbulence. Ready? Let’s go!
[powerpress]
Show Notes:
Closed Traffic
AIM Pilot/Controller Glossary
CLOSED TRAFFIC− Successive operations involv- ing takeoffs and landings or low approaches where the aircraft does not exit the traffic pattern.
§ 91.129 Operations in Class D airspace.
(i) Takeoff, landing, taxi clearance. No person may, at any airport with an operating control tower, operate an aircraft on a runway or taxiway, or take off or land an aircraft, unless an appropriate clearance is received from ATC.
Cancelling an Emergency
- Note how there is nothing in CFR Part 91 that requires to you declare an emergency, or prohibits you from canceling an emergency. All the reg says is, you are the final authority as to the operation of that aircraft.
- Note how the FAA only wants a written report from you if you deviate from Part 91 due to an emergency.
14 CFR 91.3
a. The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
b. In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
c. Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.
A previous show that talks about the lack of consequences for declaring an emergency can be found at this link.