Boise IFR Night Flight: Family on ZLC Center & A Mid-Approach Radio Failure

Setting off on an IFR night time-building trip to Boise (KBOI) in a Piper Archer, this flight delivered great memories—and the dramatic conclusion to my fading primary radio.

Dramatic wildfire smoke sunset over Burley, Idaho, during the outbound leg.

Leg 1: Family Handoffs & Smoky Sunsets

Having learned from previous delays, I bypassed the hassle of getting an IFR clearance on the ground at U42 under Salt Lake’s Class Bravo shelf. Instead, I launched VFR and picked up my IFR clearance airborne over the Great Salt Lake.

Shortly after climb-out, Salt Lake Approach handed me off to Salt Lake Center on 127.7. Checking in, a familiar voice answered back to clear me to my cruising altitude—it was my cousin working the ZLC Center desk! Professional as always, we kept the frequency clear, but exchanged a quick text back and forth during his break to confirm the surprise encounter.

En route over Burley, Idaho, summer wildfire smoke painted the sky in vivid, angry red hues for an incredible sunset view.

Leg 2: Comm 1 Goes Dead over Salt Lake

The return flight was smooth until we neared Salt Lake International around 1:15 AM. Skirting less than a mile west of Runway 16R, Approach asked me to report South Valley Regional (U42) in sight.

To activate the pilot-controlled runway lighting at U42, I tuned Comm 2 to the CTAF frequency, toggled the lights, and spotted the field. The controller cleared me for the visual approach to Runway 34 and issued cancellation instructions. I read back the clearance into my mic, but moments later, the controller repeated the message. I read it back a second time.

ATC called a third time asking for a readback Archer 482DT, I need a readback of the clearance I realized what had happened: Comm 1 had lost transmit capability entirely.

I immediately initiated a slow 360-degree orbit near U42 while switching ATC’s frequency over to Comm 2. Radio contact was restored, I explained the radio failure, canceled IFR, and made a smooth touchdown on Runway 34.

To this day, Comm 1 in that Archer sports a permanent placard: RECEIVE ONLY.