Air Band Receivers on Aircraft

[HeavenOfSevens]

Firstly, I'm sorry if this is the wrong place for this kind of question, but it seemed to be the most appropriate. I also apologise if this has been asked before, but the Search function didn't turn up anything for me.

On Saturday, I will be flying with BA, EDI-LHR-PHX (USA). Being quite interested in aviation, I have an Air Band radio (receiver only, it cannot transmit), and would like to listen to the flights' radio transmissions using it.

I am not sure, however, if this would be allowed, as I can see arguments for and against its use. On one hand, it is a non-transmitting device, so should be allowed (obviously not at takeoff or landing). On the other, there could be security issues voiced on the subject, so it shouldn't be allowed.

Can anybody clear this up, or voice an opinion? Is there no point in even trying? Or should I just try to use it, and turn it off if told to by the cabin crew?

[TSR2]

This is worth remembering:

It is important to point out that whereas buying and using a scanner is perfectly legal, it is actually illegal to use it for listening to aircraft frequencies. If you would like more information about how to abide by the law when using your airband scanner please visit the Ofcom website by following the link on the 'related sites' page.

Taken from the website of a major distributor.

[HeavenOfSevens]

I've just taken a look at the Ofcom regulations for scanners, which have thrown up another question. The unit I own isn't a scanner, in that it doesn't scan frequencies to find one that is in use. It just tunes to a specified frequency. Does anybody know if Ofcom makes this distinction, or if the scanner rules apply to any device? (I'm not trying to be picky or naïve here, I just want to be sure the practice is disallowed before discounting it.)

EDIT: On a side note, Ofcom only applies to the UK. Does this include Oceanic airspace, and does anybody know the rules in the USA?

[strake]

I seem to recall (and it is a long time ago since I got my licence) that the confidentiality aspect was to do with listening in to potentially sensitive information being passed when purple airways (royal flights) were active. That seems so ludicrous now that I'm sure someone will be along shortly to explain the correct reason.
However, the Wireless Telegraphy Act is quite clear, before you can transmit or receive on an airband frequency in the UK, you must pass a test and obtain a licence. Normally this is done at the early stages of flying training.
The reality of course, is no one bothers for receive only instruments. I can't imagine a situation where a prime prosecution would be brought for the offence although if one were to have "the book thrown" for some infraction caused whilst listening then maybe it would be added.
It may well be in these days of terrorists around every corner etc, that some eager official would decide that you listening to your pilots every word breaks some security rule somewhere.
I would also add, that to listen to your particular flight without a scanner would require you to know the ground, tower, approach and transit frequencies along your route. However, you wouldn't be able to listen to ground, tower or (much of, if any) approach as they would all be active during the ascent/descent phase.
Personally, I'd watch the film and down a couple of large G&T's.

[Bealzebub]

I am not sure, however, if this would be allowed, as I can see arguments for and against its use. On one hand, it is a non-transmitting device, so should be allowed (obviously not at takeoff or landing). On the other, there could be security issues voiced on the subject, so it shouldn't be allowed.

Can anybody clear this up, or voice an opinion? Is there no point in even trying? Or should I just try to use it, and turn it off if told to by the cabin crew?

No you cannot use it.

The radio receivers on board the aircraft are built into the aircrafts architecture (aerials.) Your receiver isn't. There isn't an "argument" it simply isn't permitted, end of! There are electronic devices that can be used at permitted times, and guidance on these should be given on board.

[HeavenOfSevens]

OK, thank you all for your replies.

[Westlakejawa]

Just as a point of interest, on all our spotting trips (all european) my son always carrys a scanner (with batteries removed until destination reached).Only once has a problem occured,a few years ago departing from SXF a custom official decided he was going to confiscate the scanner i pointed out we had no batteries. After considerable disscusion,he evetually took 14 year old son to crew room (without me)and one of the front seat drivers apparently agreed to carry the damn thing and return same at BRS,as we boarded son was re-united with scanner,and afforded a cockpit tour,me,i was left to find some seats!!!

[Skipness One Echo]

I never fly without my scanner and only ever been asked to switch it on couple of times to see if it works. There is so much electronic equipment going through in luggage these days it no longer raises interest. As to using it on board, the reception is rubbish even on the ground with doors open, don't even try it in the air, mainly as the unfamiliarity will scare people which won't ever end well.

[ExXB]

On a side note, Ofcom only applies to the UK. Does this include Oceanic airspace, and does anybody know the rules in the USA?

Fly United! United has long offered at the pilot’s discretion, the ability for passengers to listen to air traffic control (on channel 9 of inflight audio). Pilots don’t always turn it on, some explicitly don’t like it and will not turn it on. So your mileage may vary.

[radeng]

Firstly, the international Radio Regulations have requirements for secrecy of communication which is why the only transmissions that may be listened to legally are broadcast radio, amateurs, the standard time and frequency service, and in any case where a distress message is received.

Secondly, you may think it doesn't transmit, BUT.......

Being what is called a 'superhet' receiver, it has an oscillator in it on some other frequency, which can well be in the aircraft comms or in the VOR band. If it's CE marked, it will meet the requirements of EN55013, and the local oscillator radiation is limited to -13dBm or 50 microwatts. Doesn't sound much. does it? But a pacemaker transmitter is limited to 25 microwatts outside the body, but in practice, starting with about 1 milliwatt (about all you can reasonably get out of the battery), you get around 50 nanowatts out of the body, and they still communicate over quite a distance. Professional receivers can only radiate 2 nanowatts.

Even if it is CE marked, that doesn't necessarily mean that it meets the requirements, with CE often standing for 'Chinese Export'.

There are hearing aids with ultra low power radio transmitters in them: the power is so low that somewhere I have an email from the CAA saying they are exempt, especially as in an emergency, it is important for PAX to be able to hear crew member instructions.



Take strake's advice, although you may prefer wine, beer, whisky, brandy, vodka etc. BA have a reasonable selection, and unlike the American carriers, it is free in World Traveller and World Traveller Plus. (Free champagne is only in Club and First)

[strake]

Radeng,

A quick search shows you first answered this question on PPRruNe in 2003.
Any moment now, cell phones and GPS will rear their heads again... ;)

[radeng]

strake,

very probably. You have to bear in mind that I passed my amateur radio exam on my 14th birthday in 1961, I've been professionally employed in radio engineering since 1964, I chair a European standards committee on certain radio applications, have written EMC standards for radios and so on. But it is a hardy perennial. I know one so called 'expert' who never turns his cell 'phone off on an aeroplane. He says it has never crashed yet. My response was that I hope the first one that does because of cellphones has him on board...

[TightSlot]

I think this one is destined for the Forum FAQ - thanks radeng (although I'm still not quite sure what you said :E)

[radeng]

Tightslot:

"The answer is NO"

if there is argument

"Turn the bloody thing off and keep it off!"

[PilotsAnonymous]

You guys should know that the world is slightly larger than the UK. In fact, that little Island is not very significant.

All of you who are replying "no no no never never never" should stop whining and start looking at the rules. It is perfectly legal to have equipment which is has an airworthiness certificate on board and turned on. For example, my hand-held VHF radio has been designed especially to be used INSIDE an aircraft. Whether as an emergency radio, or as a secondary communications device.

In case of TS, I doubt it will be certified. But stop whining of you don't know what you're talking about.

[Bealzebub]

PilotsAnonymous,

In case you missed it, the Original poster was asking a question from the basis of somebody from Scotland (a part of the UK,) who was travelling on a British airline and wanted to know if they could use their personal "airband receiver" on board the flight in order to listen to that flights airborne transmissions.

Most of the respondants will be aware that "the world is slightly larger than the UK" since clearly they travel widely within the former as well as the latter. The UK isn't in fact one island, it is a collection of islands and a part of another island that it shares with another country. Whatever it's significance to you might be, it is clearly of prime significance to the poster and to the subject of the thread.

There are many radios that present in an aircraft from time to time. For example two way radios used by ground personel on the ground, ELT devices, etc. However their use is governed by rules that pertain to specific circumstances. None of them allow the thread starter to use the radio in the manner and in the circumstances that he was hoping for.

[Cymmon]

You guys should know that the world is slightly larger than the UK. In fact, that little Island is not very significant.



Whittles' jet engine, Viscount, Comet, Concorde, Harrier jump jet (err sorry did not the Americans buy the rights etc).
Sorry but this "not very significant Island" has done quite alot!

Sorry to all correct minded Americans, but I can't stand people who probably only read about the UK in books and if they looked on an atlas they wouldn't know where it is.

Yes, we may be a small Island's nation, but we are not small minded like some people.:=

[Chuchinchow]

@ Cymmon:

Leave 'im, Cym. 'E ain't worf it.

>Cue doomladen crashing of drums ...

[PilotsAnonymous]

Don't worry Cymmon, I know very well how to find the not-so-Island. In fact, it is the only Island that I have ever driven to! From ze frenz-zpeaking part of L'Europe even.

Anyway, Bealzebub is correct in one thing: TS did mention that he would be on a UK flight so in that part I stand corrected.

However, my point still stays that using an handheld VHF radio inside an aircraft is not necessarily forbidden. In fact, when I travel as SLF, I usually make sure I have my radio in my carry-on. One reason is that it has a LI-ION battery which I would not like to have in the cargo-hole, the other is that in the very unlikely event that a comms failure occurs, there is at least something to work with for the flight crew.

It is certified to be used in-flight so I see no reason not to use it if someone happens to be interested. In fact, when we're on the ground I often turn it on as well. You don't want to know how often I've heard:

capt to atc: we need to delay our departure
capt to passengers: ATC forces us to delay our departure.

"yeah, right".

[Bealzebub]

I can't see anything in FAR's part 91.21(a) that allows you such a dispensation when "travelling as SLF" unless the operator or pilot-in-command has specifically provided you with such a dispensation. Such devices are not covered under subsection (b) of that regulation.

Perhaps you could point out the regulation under your own countries rules that would permit a passenger to use an "air band" receiver in a commercial air transport where that device was not specifically permitted by the carrier?

The supposition that something is "certified to be used in flight" doesn't predetermine that you as a passenger are permitted to exercise that certification.

These regulations seem broadly similar to those found in other parts of the world, including the UK.

Perhaps you would be kind enough to remove your big cowboy hat, and point me to the regulation that you are relying on?

[radeng]

Strictly speaking, on a UK registered ship or aircraft, or in the UK, it is an offence under the Wireless Telegrahy Acts to deliberately receive a radio transmission unless you have a licence, or that the transmissions are specifically exempt from needing one - these are transmissions by radio amateurs, duly authorised sound broadcasting station, transmissions in the Standard time and Frequency service, and transmissions in the Radio Determination service.

Article 17 of the international Radio Regulations (which is international law and a formal treaty) requires Administrations to "take the necessary measures to prohibit and prevent unauthorized interception of radiocommunications not intended for the genral use of the public".

So strictly, using an airband receiver is illegal anywhere except when it is being used for authorised purposes. Generally the authorities turn a blind eye to it, but 186 countries signed up to that treaty - including the US, who send a civil servant of Ambassador status to the conference to sign the treaty.

[TightSlot]

Don't you just love it when the ship of crassness strikes the unforgiving rocks of knowledge and hard fact?

And we get to watch....

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

radeng knows precisely what he is talking about... a few others on here do not.

[radeng]

And unless it is CE marked, it is illegal to bring it into the EU, strictly speaking, as there is no guarantee that it meets the applicable Interface Regulations in each country.......

[Pax Vobiscum]

Ya mean CE doesn't stand for 'China Export'? :{

[james solomon]

I had a mate of mine when i was at school on the IOM for a year and the guys at the airport didnt mind unless you didnt bother them, wasnt a security threat or wasnt taping it for private use or distribution. I used to sometimes get the bus to the airport with the friend and his airband radio and sometimes stand next to the Manx Airlines shed and watch the planes land and takeoff. This was about 1999-2000 ish when Manx Airlines where around I only lived on the island for a year with my parents before we moved

[Chuchinchow]

One reason is that it has a LI-ION battery which I would not like to have in the cargo-hole, the other is that in the very unlikely event that a comms failure occurs, there is at least something to work with for the flight crew.

A case of une crise énorme de grandeur Americain, n'est-ce pas?


You don't want to know how often I've heard:

capt to atc: we need to delay our departure
capt to passengers: ATC forces us to delay our departure.

No, not really. But thanks anyway.

[PilotsAnonymous]

Bealzebub, I would argue that contrary to your statement, aircraft certified devices such as emergency VHF radios would definitely be covered by Sec. 91.21 (b) 5. Certification implicies "the operator of the aircraft has determined". If not, the aircraft can not fly since the operator has not certified its own aircraft.

Radeng, in case the general public is to be unaware of ATC communications, it would be illegal to sell VHF radio's and scanners to non-licensed individuals.

Amazing to see how the UK went from liberator during WW2* turned into a police state that makes Putin look like a girl scout. In the US, something is allowed until there is a reason not to allow it. In the UK, everybody is a terrorist until proven not to be. You guys even kill innocent subway passengers...

* and yes, Godwin's law applies here.

[strake]

Radeng, in case the general public is to be unaware of ATC communications, it would be illegal to sell VHF radio's and scanners to non-licensed individuals.


As my late grandmother would say, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Saint's Preserve us!"

1.It is illegal to use an airband receiver in the UK without an appropriate licence.
It is illegal to use an airband transceiver in the UK without an appropriate licence.
It is not illegal to sell either of those products to anyone who wants to buy one.

2.The UK CAA have restricted the use of certain electronic items (not fitted to the aircraft) at various stages of the flight. Some during the take-off and landing phase and some during the complete flight. Airband transceivers would definitely come into the latter and receivers most certainly into the former.

Now, if that's a real problem causing restless nights and wringing of hands contact these people and put your case:
Houses of Parliament
Palace of Westminster
London
SW1A

[Three Thousand Rule]

Don't you just love it when the ship of crassness strikes the unforgiving rocks of knowledge and hard fact?

I also enjoy watching a skillful troll wind up a forum.

[radeng]

The requirement on privacy and the action on Administrations 'to prevent unauthorised interception of radiocommunciations' have been in place since the first international radio telegraph conference in Berlin in 1906: shortly after that conference the first International Radiotelegraph Convention was signed, which incorporated that rule. So it is not exactly new. Doubtless, if you trawl through the US CFR Title 47 you'll find the same thing somewhere.

In the UK, it isn't often enforced, but it has been on occasion, back in the analogue days, when people had used it to intercept police messages during operations. In the US, however, once the news media had picked up on a few politicians using analogue cell phones to make dates with mistresses and prostitutes, the manufacture, import and sale of scanners capable of covering the cellular bands was banned.

Provided a piece of equipment meets the relevant regulatory requirements, it can be sold, but cannot necessarily be used. Same in the US. For example, you can buy private mobile radio e.g. for taxis, without having a licence, but you can't legally use it.

PAX Vobiscum, in this case CE shouldn't mean Chinese Export. However, a recent survey by the market surveillance committee of the EU (TCAM) found that a high proportion of CE marked professional radios didn't meet the requirments of the Radio and Telecommunications Terminals Directive, although most of the failures were in the paperwork, not the technical perfomance. Most of them are made in China anyway these days - except for those made in Israel.

[Shytehawk]

Pilotsanonymous;

Do you use your right hand or your left hand?

[TightSlot]

I think this one has run its' course - He's either a Troll or an Idiot (or most likely, both) and either way - The 15 Minute Fame slot has now expired.