It is my understanding (with zero reference to any actual rules) that to operate a handheld legally (specifically from the ground) it would need to meet the following 3 criteria:
1. Be an approved radio (in terms of manufacturer and model)
2. Associated with a flying school, charter base or similar such as a skydive HQ
3. Used for operational school/business use only
For airborne ops:
1. Again, an approved model
2. Affixed to the aircraft
As for using a hand held as an emergency backup.... I would be guessing.
A Unicom is an entirely different scenario:
1. Potentially operated by an unlicensed person (ie. no pilots license / radio operators certificate
2. Giving advice / weather info, thus requiring a course or similar approval due to the potential for liability etc
In summary, it would not surprise me at all if all of what you have posted is required, because it doesn't not fit into my aforementioned scenarios where I'm confident that it is legal.