In some countries like Canada and the UK, you also need a Radio Operator Certificate to legally talk on the radio. This is why we have online apps like LiveATC (More on this later).įor those listening in the UK, you seem to be safe, but people have been prosecuted by listening and providing a data feed into the LiveATCwebsite as this is a little easier to track, compared to Mr Smith sitting in his yard with is small hand-held receiver.īy 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. however, there is no problem listening to or recording and retransmitting air traffic control communications. The rules forbidding people to listen to ATC seem to be a very gray area that is mostly overlooked in those countries. These questions seem to be legitimate and go against the rules as we have all seen the aviation enthusiasts sitting there listening to air traffic control, heck, even my ATC instructor when I was learning to fly told me to go and purchase a small hand-held receiver to be able to listen to ATC! “Why is there apps & websites broadcasting live ATC transmissions?” “Why are there countless YouTube Channels dedicated to ATC recordings?” “Why don’t aviation enthusiasts get prosecuted?” “Why Can I buy a radio for listening to air traffic control if it is illegal?” The other issue people run across is those same countries also ban the recording and re-distributing of any aircraft radio transmissions. Transmissions that are meant for general reception to the public ARE allowed to be listened to, however, in these countries, ATC radio transmissions are only meant to be heard by other pilots or air traffic controllers, thus technically making them not for general public reception. Some countries like the UK, Germany, and New Zealand have communication laws written to protect radio users.
The legality of listening to Air Traffic Control, usually shortened to ATC, is one that is very country-specific and making it obvious that you are breaking those laws could have repercussions, but, in reality, the cases of a person being prosecuted are very, very rare. Most countries only prosecute when nuisance transmissions begin to affect flight safety. It is illegal in certain countries, however, the ease in which aviation radios can be purchased allows for anyone to listen to ATC transmissions making it difficult for authorities to detect and enforce.
But there seems to be some confusion about the legality of listening to aviation radio transmissions. The chatter of pilots and air traffic control can be heard floating on the wind as the frenzy of camera lenses takes position for the next incoming plane. If you have even been to the end of a runway at a larger and busy airport you may have seen the hoards of aviation enthusiasts with their cameras and aviation radios.
0 kommentar(er)
