Narrative:

I was repositioning my aircraft from the air show side of the airport to the north side for overnight parking. This operation requires following ground personnel hand signals to the runway and then monitoring the air show tower frequency for departure or runway crossing. Just as I got to the hold short line the tower frequency went dead and I was stuck in the middle of the airfield with the air show about to start. Once the air show starts nobody can move so I was in a bad spot right next to the runway without a clearance to cross it. A cessna taxied up behind me and I made contact with him; he also could not contact the tower. We both went to the assistance frequency and were then able to contact the tower controllers who cleared him for takeoff and me to cross the runways to the north side. Once I got to the north side and got parked I realized I never called the north ground controller and wasn't even sure I was supposed to. Also; when I was cleared to cross to the north side I crossed the left runway and the taxiway which also serves as the right runway which is not marked very well. The controller seemed very happy with how things went but it was a busy time and as I think about it raises a few issues that lead me to fill this out. First of all; the controllers at an event like this air show are the best of the best; that's why they're there. They do an amazing job moving an incredible amount of traffic. Also; pilots seem to bring an increased amount of professionalism to these types of events; they are very much in focus. However; situational awareness at an event like an air show must be at its highest level and I do feel that mine got a little weak due to the unusual circumstances. I had pressure to cross the field as quickly as possible because of the impending air show; non standard taxi routes; non standard markings; a failed tower frequency; very busy controllers trying to keep things on schedule and several intimidating war birds lining up next to me; it was a lot. These events are incredibly important to our industry; we need to keep them safe by bringing a most professional attitude and maintaining the highest level of situational awareness as possible.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot lost communications with ATC after their primary radio failed as he was attempting to relocate his aircraft prior to the airshow beginning. He may have crossed an active runway in the process.

Narrative: I was repositioning my aircraft from the air show side of the airport to the north side for overnight parking. This operation requires following ground personnel hand signals to the runway and then monitoring the Air Show Tower frequency for departure or runway crossing. Just as I got to the hold short line the Tower frequency went dead and I was stuck in the middle of the airfield with the air show about to start. Once the air show starts nobody can move so I was in a bad spot right next to the runway without a clearance to cross it. A Cessna taxied up behind me and I made contact with him; he also could not contact the Tower. We both went to the assistance frequency and were then able to contact the Tower Controllers who cleared him for takeoff and me to cross the runways to the north side. Once I got to the north side and got parked I realized I never called the North Ground Controller and wasn't even sure I was supposed to. Also; when I was cleared to cross to the north side I crossed the left runway and the taxiway which also serves as the right runway which is not marked very well. The Controller seemed very happy with how things went but it was a busy time and as I think about it raises a few issues that lead me to fill this out. First of all; the controllers at an event like this air show are the best of the best; that's why they're there. They do an amazing job moving an incredible amount of traffic. Also; pilots seem to bring an increased amount of professionalism to these types of events; they are very much in focus. However; situational awareness at an event like an air show must be at its highest level and I do feel that mine got a little weak due to the unusual circumstances. I had pressure to cross the field as quickly as possible because of the impending air show; non standard taxi routes; non standard markings; a failed Tower frequency; very busy controllers trying to keep things on schedule and several intimidating war birds lining up next to me; it was a lot. These events are incredibly important to our industry; we need to keep them safe by bringing a most professional attitude and maintaining the highest level of situational awareness as possible.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.