Monitoring 121.5 in Australia
For the most part we Australian pilots are not trained to monitor the International Distress Frequency 121.5 when flying en route, but there are powerful reasons why we should.
1. We are instantly available to another pilot who experiences an emergency in the air, or crashes but still has a working radio and calls on the International Distress Frequency. This is not merely good airmanship, it is responsible citizenship.
2. We can pick up ELT signals, so if another pilot crashes we can bring help to him. ELT signals are also picked up by satellites but hours can elapse before one of those satellites passes over the accident site, and if the ELT’s antenna was damaged in the crash the high-flying satellite may not be able to pick up the signal at all. Airmanship/citizenship again.
3. We can be contacted at any time. For example “Aircraft at position X, you are entering restricted area R123 and will be intercepted unless you make a 180 turn and leave the area forthwith.”
4. All airlines monitor 121.5 en route.
5. ICAO requires that all aircraft monitor 121.5 at all times in areas where ELTs must be carried (which includes the whole of Australia). See Annex 12, Vol 2, para 5.2.2.1.1.1,
6. ICAO recommends that all aircraft monitor 121.5 at all times to the extent possible – see para 5.2.2.1.1.3.
7. If you crash and survive but are injured, 121.5 is, overall, the best frequency to use to summon assistance. A call on 121.5 is almost always answered anywhere in the world except in the polar regions. That’s because of the large number of good airmen and good citizens who monitor 121.5 when flying en route.
8. An intercepting aircraft is required by ICAO Annex 2 to call us on 121.5 before shooting us down.
Until 27th November last year, the Australian recommendation (it was never a requirement) was that we should monitor the “Area Frequency” whilst en route VFR. The Australian recommendation now is that we monitor an appropriate frequency.
What reasons are there why 121.5 should not be considered, along with other frequencies, when making the decision about the appropriate frequency to monitor?
And why doesn't ATC monitor 121.5 in Australia?
I personally monitor 121.5 without thinking why - it's just something I do, like getting dressed before I leave the house in the morning.