Definition
A loss of the ability to communicate by radio between a pilot and air traffic control (ATC). Aircraft are sometimes referred to as NORDO (no radio). Radio failures can be partial — meaning the pilot can transmit but not receive, or receive but not transmit — or total, meaning no two-way communication is possible at all. Established procedures govern how a pilot should continue the flight and how ATC will handle the aircraft when communications cannot be re-established.
Plain English
The pilot and air traffic control can no longer talk to each other by radio. It might be that one side can hear but not transmit, the other way around, or no contact at all. There are set rules for what the pilot does next so the flight can continue safely.
Context Anchor
Seen in air traffic control procedures, instrument flight rules, emergency planning, and radio failure training.
Derivation
Communication comes from the Latin communicare, meaning “to share” or “make common.” In aviation, communication means shared information between the pilot and air traffic control. When that shared link is lost, both sides must rely on expected procedures instead of spoken instructions.
Why Pilots Care
Following the correct lost-communications procedures prevents airspace violations, maintains separation from other traffic, and allows the flight to continue safely to its destination or alternate.
Grounding Statement
Lost communications means the radio link has failed, but the flight still has a planned way to continue safely.
Intuition Check
Lost Communications does not mean the pilot is confused or does not know where the aircraft is. It means the normal two-way radio link with air traffic control is no longer working.
Example Sentence 1
After the radio went quiet, the pilot squawked 7600 and continued the flight under lost-communications procedures.
Example Sentence 2
Under VFR, the pilot experiencing lost communications elected to return to the departure airport and land without entering controlled airspace.