Originally Posted by
snippercr
However, upon reaching the XYZ VOR you have received no ATC instructions. Do you proceed along the route to the initial approach fix for which ever approach is most suitable? Would they expect you to do that? This is assuming normal radio communication and you were "cleared to the HIJ airport as filed"
The situation that happened with me was similar: we reached the XYZ VOR but we were with another approach. IE we would have to be handed off to someone else before we got an approach clearance.
Were you cleared to XYZ, or to HIJ ? (you answered your own question)
If there was a transition from XYZ, fly it. If not, you'll have to figure out a logical way to get there. Tough to second guess on the forum without a bit more info. For instance, lets say there's a mountain between XYZ and HIJ ? Causes some new head scratching !!!
Here's what ATC will not expect (although I've seen it instructed / done this way), and that is for you starting to hold at XYZ. Now nobody has any idea what you might do next, PLUS, you've basically just shut the airport down until they do figure it out.
You were cleared to the airport. Go there. Hope your transponder works !! ATC will move planes out of your way when they see that you're making the logical moves. Goofy holding and other non-planned flying in circles will put everybody into defense mode.
Plan the flight, fly the plan.
Now, emergencies (losing a comm radio doesn't generally rate an emergency in my book, but I'm sure there are instructors teaching otherwise) might require different planning (like losing the comm and nav!).
I'll add that there is that FAR about IFR flight plan losing comm, and then entering VMC, to land at nearest suitable airport (too lazy to look up). That's also a good idea if you don't know what caused the comm malfunction and you see a perfectly good airport to land on (and make a phone call from to tell ATC you didn't crash).