Use cases for dual-COMM ?

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by humptybump

So the adding of a second comm means locating a second antenna and adding an audio panel.

If you have an intercom with unswitched inputs, you may not need an audio panel, just a switch to move the mike and PTT lines. Depends on your needs and desires.

[Mel]

An audio panel is not required for dual com radios. My -6 has been flying for over 21 years with dual coms and no audio panel.

[Greg Baron]

I had a Nav **** out 2 miles from the COS LOM. Nice time for really good backup already set. With a threat of a missed approach, a second NAV set for the initial missed approach segment is really handy. I lost COM on another IFR flight over the continental divide. It sure is lonely without communication and navigation. On the other hand, my recollection is that T38's had only had one NAVCOM. Go figure!

[jnmeade]

With two pilots, they can each talk on a different radio. Handy when one is on with ATC and the other is calling Unicom for a rental car or whatever. Or one is talking to FSS while one is on with ATC.
Of course it doesn't happen often, but it's nice when it does.

[scard]

Originally Posted by jnmeade

With two pilots, they can each talk on a different radio. Handy when one is on with ATC and the other is calling Unicom for a rental car or whatever. Or one is talking to FSS while one is on with ATC.
Of course it doesn't happen often, but it's nice when it does.

It just depends. It happens all the time in our world . A comfortable way to roll .

[BCP Boys]

I don't generally like to disagree on this forum and stick my nose in too often but this is one topic that just gets to me. A few of you nice folks are stating that for VFR only 1 com is needed. We as pilots go through so much to make our planes safe to fly and redundant if possible ( I know we all fly single engines for the most part so redundant engines are not an option on RVs . . . at least I haven't seen a twin RV yet ), but why would you not want to add redundancy for 1 or even 2 of the 3 pillars of flying? Remember, Aviate, Navigate and communicate. Too many people fly in these uncontrolled/non-towered fields with no radios stating that communications are not required !!!! I will never understand why someone would fly in to a public field and not listen for other traffic or notices at the airport. You know, its NOT required to have to have 2 Magnetos either but most of us who have Mags, have 2 . . .

If you decide to go with just 1, at least carry a hand held in case you lose your radio, it may safe your life one day.

[plehrke]

Originally Posted by BCP Boys

I don't generally like to disagree on this forum and stick my nose in too often but this is one topic that just gets to me. A few of you nice folks are stating that for VFR only 1 com is needed. We as pilots go through so much to make our planes safe to fly and redundant if possible ( I know we all fly single engines for the most part so redundant engines are not an option on RVs . . . at least I haven't seen a twin RV yet ), but why would you not want to add redundancy for 1 or even 2 of the 3 pillars of flying? Remember, Aviate, Navigate and communicate. Too many people fly in these uncontrolled/non-towered fields with no radios stating that communications are not required !!!! I will never understand why someone would fly in to a public field and not listen for other traffic or notices at the airport. You know, its NOT required to have to have 2 Magnetos either but most of us who have Mags, have 2 . . .

If you decide to go with just 1, at least carry a hand held in case you lose your radio, it may safe your life one day.

With current solid state electronics, how often do radios fail?

I fly almost every week with no radio airplanes in the pattern. Yes, they do weird stuff but if you are doing, as taught, to look outside, they are little more inconvenient then some one using a radio. Your experience may vary depending on how busy the airport is.

The saying "aviate, navigate, communicate" is to remind you that communications is not at the top of the list, not to say it is required (or a pillar of flying)

Opinions may vary depending on your experience. I do not fly much to towered airport and have lots of experience with no radio planes. That definitely sets my experience (opinion).

[dutchroll]

This may not apply to everyone but certainly where I come from, not flying to towered airports is not an excuse to not have a VHF com.

Maybe other countries are different, but not having a radio (and using it) for broadcasts here at non-towered airports does have the potential to get you in a lot of strife, both from a safety perspective and a regulatory perspective. We have the accident record to prove it. And as is often the case, bits of a plane showering down on someone's home can prompt the regulators to step in.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by humptybump

yes, the plane is VFR day/night today.

If you fly at night (VFR or IFR) then you will ultimately need to switch on pilot activated lighting (PAL) at some airfields. If your single radio fails to transmit then you may be left circling around in the dark contemplating your options....not good.

[Danny King]

I guess it depends on how you were trained. I flew the T-38A Talon for seven years, and it had one 120VAC, 3 phase, UHF com. Just before I left the Air Force, new DC solid state UHF radios were being installed. The old radios were a fifty pound box filled with vacuum tubes up in the nose. I think they were left over from WWII. They failed all the time, and IP's and students alike got very good at radio out procedures.

If IFR:
1) Sq 7600
2) Proceed to your clearance limit, and then at you EAC, proceed as filed
3) Shoot the approach and land

If VFR:
1) Proceed to the VFR entry point
2) Enter the pattern on the outside downwind
3) Rock wings on initial
4) Pitch out and land

NO Big Deal

I'd like to add that a T-38 sortie averaged 1.3 and landed with 600 lbs of JP-4 remaining, or about ten minutes of fuel. Best glide speed engine out, with zero fuel remaining was 230K. You couldn't just land it anywhere like we can our RVs. Of course, it did have aircraft jettison handles on each side of the seat!

IMHO it is not reckless to have a single Nav/Com or a single engine. If your budget, or panel space is a factor, buy one good radio! The Doll has one incredible GTN 650. For the last 14 years, radio out procedures have not been required!