Promotion Material for the Prevention of Loss of Communication

Air-ground communication is the lifeline of modern aviation. It allows pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) to share critical information, coordinate flight paths, and ensure that every aircraft operates within a safe and predictable environment. Any disruption—particularly a loss of communication (ComLoss)—can quickly escalate into a hazardous situation, affecting not only flight safety but also national security.

A Prolonged Loss of Communication (PLOC) is especially dangerous. Apart from raising immediate safety concerns, it can trigger security alerts, including the activation of Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighter aircraft, which may escort or intercept the affected flight. Preventing such scenarios requires continuous awareness, training, and effective communication practices among all aviation stakeholders.

To tackle this challenge, international organizations like EUROCONTROL, ICAO, IATA, IFALPA, IFATCA, and NATO have produced a variety of promotional and educational materials. These resources aim to spread awareness, reinforce discipline, and provide practical tools for pilots, ATCOs, operators, and training institutions to mitigate ComLoss incidents.

Promotion Material for the Prevention of Loss of Communication

 

Why Prevention of Loss of Communication Matters

1. Flight Safety Risks
   • Inability to receive or acknowledge ATC clearances.
   • Potential mid-air conflicts due to misunderstood flight intentions.
   • Delayed responses during emergencies.
2. Security Risks
   • Suspected unlawful interference or hijacking.
   • Activation of national defense measures, including fighter interception.
3. Operational Efficiency
   • Communication breakdowns delay flights and disrupt ATC planning.
   • Increased workload for pilots and controllers.
   • Callsign confusion and potential rerouting.
4. Public Confidence
   • Highly visible incidents, such as fighter escorts, attract media attention and erode public trust in aviation safety.

 

Promotion Material for Awareness and Training

1. Emergency Frequency Awareness Poster

• Objective: Encourage strict discipline on emergency frequencies (121.5 MHz).
• Partners: Jointly developed by EUROCONTROL, ECA, IFATCA, IATA, and CANSO.
• Features:
  • Bright, catchy design with humor to engage pilots and controllers.
  • Emphasizes correct usage of emergency channels.
  • Includes a QR-code linking to the Emergency Frequency SKYclip
• Distribution:
  • PDF Version: Suitable for digital circulation in safety bulletins.
  • PNG Version: Allows organizations to customize by adding their logo before display in briefing areas.

Emergency Frequency Awareness Poster 2022 (PDF / PNG)

 

2. ICAO OPS Bulletin 2021 — Principles and Best Practices

• Focus:
  • Causes of communication loss.
  • Recovery strategies for pilots and ATC.
• Content Highlights:
  • Recommendations for operators, controllers, and flight crews.
  • Procedures for communication restoration during PLOC.
  • Developed by ICAO’s European Aviation System Planning Group (EASPG).

ICAO EUR OPS Bulletin 2021 (PDF)

 

3. NATO & EUROCONTROL CommLoss Awareness Leaflet and Poster

• Purpose: Provide quick-reference materials to reinforce best practices.
• Format:
  • Leaflet (2019): Concise guide summarizing most effective measures for handling ComLoss.
  • Poster (2019): Visual reinforcement tool for flight crews and ATCO briefing rooms.
• Strength: Joint effort by civil (EUROCONTROL) and military (NATO) stakeholders, highlighting the security dimension of PLOC.

NATO & EUROCONTROL CommLoss Leaflet (PDF)
NATO & EUROCONTROL CommLoss Poster (PDF)

 

4. SKYclips (Short Safety Animations)

• What they are: 2-minute engaging animations addressing aviation safety issues.
• On ComLoss: Focus on real-world communication breakdowns, emphasizing recovery steps and ATC-pilot cooperation.
• Use Case:
  • Training sessions.
  • Safety briefings before flights.
  • Easy-to-digest resources for continuous learning.

 

5. ALL CLEAR? Toolkit

• Purpose: Provide trainers with adaptable resources for classroom or online training.
• Features:
  • Videos for guided discussions.
  • Handouts with top tips for both pilots and ATCOs.
  • Scenario-based exercises for training simulations.
• Flexibility: Can be tailored to airline/ATS organizational needs.
• Recommendation: Trainers should first explore the toolkit online before introducing it to wider teams.

ALL CLEAR? Toolkit

 

Best Practices for Preventing ComLoss

1. For Pilots:
   • Maintain correct frequency discipline.
   • Double-check radio tuning and volume settings.
   • Immediately switch to emergency frequency (121.5 MHz) if unable to establish contact.
   • Use CPDLC (Controller–Pilot Data Link Communications) where available.
   • Familiarize with ICAO standard ComLoss procedures (e.g., continue as last cleared).
2. For ATCOs:
   • Monitor aircraft for loss of response.
   • Attempt contact on secondary/alternate frequencies.
   • Use relay through other aircraft when possible.
   • Escalate to appropriate authorities if PLOC persists.
3. For Operators and Regulators:
   • Ensure robust training programs incorporating ComLoss scenarios.
   • Regularly disseminate promotional material.
   • Encourage reporting of ComLoss events for safety analysis.

 

Example Scenario of ComLoss and Response

A commercial flight en route from Paris to Istanbul loses VHF communication while entering Balkan airspace.

• Pilot Action:
  • Attempts to re-establish contact on primary frequency fail.
  • Switches to 121.5 MHz and attempts contact.
  • Sends a CPDLC message to ATC as a backup.
• ATC Action:
  • Attempts contact on alternate frequencies.
  • Relays messages through nearby aircraft.
  • Informs military authorities due to prolonged silence.
• Resolution:
  • Contact restored via CPDLC.
  • Flight continues as per cleared route without further incident.

This scenario highlights the importance of layered communication methods and awareness of backup protocols.