Aviation Communications Frequencies Overview
An overview of aviation communications frequencies. In General Aviation, the VHF band
used is between 118,000 and 136,975MHz, amplitude modulated (AM).
|
Facility |
Purpose |
Frequency |
|
MULTICOM |
Air to air communication at airports without air-ground communication facilities
(Class G airspace). The communications are made over the FAA's Common
Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). |
122.9 MHz |
|
Airport UNICOM |
To provide airport information. Note that this is a non government communication
facility (Class E airspace). The communications are made over the FAA's Common Traffic
Advisory Frequency (CTAF). |
*)
Often used:
122.7
122.8
123.0 |
|
FAA Flight Service Station (FSS) |
Provides information and services to pilots. |
*) |
|
Airport Traffic Control (Tower) |
Coordinate operations on the runways and in Class B, C and D airspace. |
*) |
|
Clearance Delivery Position |
Responsible for transmitting departure clearances to IFR flights. |
Frequency broadcast by ATIS. |
|
Ground Control Position in Tower |
Responsible for controlling aircraft taxiing to and from the runways. |
*)
Often used:
121.7
121.8
121.9 |
|
Rader or Nonrader Approach Control Position |
Provides approach IFR control services |
*) |
|
Rader Departure Control Position |
Provides departure IFR control services |
*) |
FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
Note that an ARTCC is an ACC (Area Control Center) in
ICAO terminology. |
To maintain separation between IFR flights, and between IFR and known VFR
flights. |
*) |
|
Emergency call (MayDay, MayDay, MayDay, ..) |
States that you are in serious trouble and need help immediately. |
121.5 MHz |
*) = Look up in Airport/Facility directory, under city name. Or, use Aeronautical
charts, in the airport data block. Note that the A/FD is published on the Internet
by the
FAA AVN