Jim Carter wrote:
Steve, help me understand the following scenario:

I'm filed and cleared from KROG to KTUL with a filed ETA of 13:40. If I
lose voice communications prior to arrival am I to understand that I'm
technically cleared to execute the approach immediately upon arrival
regardless of my time over the FAF?

I think I was taught to proceed to the FAF and then hold at the last
assigned altitude until my filed arrival time, at which point I can
execute the approach. Now I'm sure I'd rather shoot the approach as soon
as I get there, but is that the correct thing to do?

Based on your comments about EFCs not being required if no delay is
anticipated regardless of enroute or terminal, what should I expect in
the above scenario?

I'm not Steve.

I don't think the answer to this question has anything to do with Steve's
distinction relating to holds where a delay is or is not expected.

In the case you postulate, where voice communication is lost and you have a
flight plan that includes an initial approach fix, the regulations require you
to do exactly as you say you were taught: hold at the last assigned altitude
until your filed arrival time.

Regulations notwithstanding, there is a consensus among pilots and controllers
that a better idea is to just get out of the system as soon as you can. If VMC,
land as soon as practical (which is what the regulations require anyway) and if
IMC, just go ahead and execute the approach or do whatever it takes to get out
of the IFR system. ATC has been tracking your NORDO target and is reserving a
big patch of airspace for you. The sooner you get on the ground and they can
release that airspace, the happier everyone will be. Google for numerous
previous threads in this newsgroup on this subject.

All of the above has nothing to do with paper stops or assigned holds with and
without an expected delay. I'm not going to to get in the middle of that one.
I'll let Steve or someone else speak to that question.

Dave