Radio licences

[metalman]

If you fly a (british registered)fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft you will require an RT licence in order to transmit legally. Do you require the same Rt licence if you are a glider pilot? If not why not??After all they all use radio's!!!!!

[hihover]

As far as I am aware, if you will fly in airspace that requires the use of a radio then you will need an FRTOL (RT Licence). I would expect that to apply to gliders too.

[metalman]

Mmmmmmmmmm thats interesting as i dont know any glider pilots who have actually bothered to take the RT written and practical exam,are you sure? or do they get special dispensation????After all most of them fly with a very "boy scout" attitude to aviation.
Metalman

[Whirlygig]

Bit of a sweeping generalisation surely?

As far as I am aware, glider pilots do not need an RT Licence if they remain on their dedicated frequencies. I believe that some glider radios are set up such that the frequencies cannot be changed.

However, an RT licence would be required for cross country nav exs but many glider pilots don't want to do that!

Cheers

Whirls

[hihover]

No I'm not sure, but I like the challenge and I will find out.

[hihover]

As always, the ANO is the document required, however, here is an extract from LASORS that just about clears it up:

The FRTOL is a flight crew licence that may be issued
to existing flight crew members and other persons who
have a requirement to operate Aircraft Radio Stations.

It may be issued as a stand-alone licence, or in
conjunction with another flight crew licence.
The requirement for flight crew to hold a FRTOL is
detailed in the ANO, Article 26. In particular a number
of exemptions are listed, including aircrew under
training, and glider pilots when transmitting on
frequencies specifically allocated for glider operation.

The privileges of the FRTOL are detailed in Schedule 8
to the ANO (please refer to Section A, Appendix F).
The requirement for non-flight crew members to hold a
FRTOL is detailed in the schedule to the Aircraft Radio
Licence issued under the Wireless Telegraphy (WT)
Acts of 1949 and 1998. This document forms part of the
aircraft radio licence.

Holders of a PPL issued in accordance with ICAO
Annex 1 may exercise the privileges of an ICAO
FRTOL in UK registered aircraft, in accordance with the
provisions of the UK ANO (Article 26) subject to certain
provisions. They must hold a licence that includes
radiotelephony privileges based on tests conducted in
the English Language. Pilot Certificates issued by
some States do not confer International privileges for
the operation of an aircraft radio station. Pilots holding
FAA Certificates must also hold an aircraft radio
operator permit issued by the FCC. Applications
should be made to the FCC using Form 605. http://
wireless.fcc.gov/aviation/fctsht4.htm.

No person may operate an aircraft radio station in the
air, or on the ground, unless they are in possession of
a FRTOL, or are operating directly under the
supervision of the holder of a FRTOL.

I hope this helps.

tam