Table of Contents
Can you listen to air traffic control with a radio?
By far the main thing anyone listening to ATC cannot do is TALK! Unless you are flying an aircraft or working at the airport you are not allowed to talk on a VHF airband radio frequency. In some countries like Canada and the UK you also need a Radio Operator Certificate to legally talk on the radio.
Do pilots use radio waves?
The most common form of communication in aviation, very high frequency (VHF) radio calls are what we use for around 95\% of our communications with ATC. When communicating between a ground-based station like Air Traffic Control and an aircraft, the distance is somewhere in the middle.
Does ATC use UHF?
Many ATC functions have both VHF and UHF frequencies. For example, Newark Liberty Tower uses 118.3 and 257.6. ATC will often broadcast on both the VHF and UHF frequencies.
What is the ATC frequency?
All ATC communications are between 118.0 and 137.0 MHz. If you think you’re given a frequency above or below those numbers, there is a mistake.
Why are radio communications important to ATC?
Radio communications are a critical link in the ATC system. The link can be a strong bond between pilot and controller or it can be broken with surprising speed and disastrous results. Discussion herein provides basic procedures for new pilots and also highlights safe operating concepts for all pilots.
Can a recreational pilot fly without ATC communication?
Recreational pilots cannot fly in airspace requiring ATC communication, but it’s a good idea to learn to use the right words. This knowledge can help them in an emergency, and it helps prepare a recreational pilot for a private pilot certificate, if he decides to continue his training.
What is ATC traffic in air traffic control?
TRAFFIC —A term used by ATC to refer to one or more aircraft. TRAFFIC IN SIGHT —Used by pilots to inform a controller that previously issued traffic is in sight. UNABLE —Indicates inability to comply with a specific instruction, request, or clearance. VERIFY —Request confirmation of information; e.g., “verify assigned altitude.”
Who is in charge of ATC in aviation?
That being said, ATC exists solely for YOU as the pilot, and as pilot in command YOU are in charge of the safety of the flight. A routine example of this is if ATC clears you for takeoff and says “no delay, Learjet on 2 mile final”. You don’t have to accept this takeoff clearance.