GA small aircraft track heading deviation while correcting loss of radio communication.

Attributes
ACN	192222
Time
Date	199110
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : fnt
State Reference	MI
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : fnt
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Small Transport
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 10000
ASRS Report	192222
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe non adherence : clearance non adherence : far other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other controllera other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course flight crew : overcame equipment problem
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Loss of communication prior to entering IMC. Pilot made a 360 degree turn while installing spare microphone to continue communication with flint departure. Pilot was told by fnt departure that I should have continued on my way or told him I was making a 360. Shows me that controllers continue to try to fly our aircraft from the ground and that the reason they are there is so we can fly -- should be informed that they support the aviation industry.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: GA SMA TRACK HDG DEV WHILE CORRECTING LOSS OF RADIO COM.

Narrative: LOSS OF COM PRIOR TO ENTERING IMC. PLT MADE A 360 DEG TURN WHILE INSTALLING SPARE MICROPHONE TO CONTINUE COM WITH FLINT DEP. PLT WAS TOLD BY FNT DEP THAT I SHOULD HAVE CONTINUED ON MY WAY OR TOLD HIM I WAS MAKING A 360. SHOWS ME THAT CTLRS CONTINUE TO TRY TO FLY OUR ACFT FROM THE GND AND THAT THE REASON THEY ARE THERE IS SO WE CAN FLY -- SHOULD BE INFORMED THAT THEY SUPPORT THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.