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Old 10th Jun 2016, 10:45
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sputnik01
 
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Misuse of International Aeronautical Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz - SKYbrary Aviation Safety

Safety Reminder Message

Misuse of International Aeronautical Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz

Date: 19 June 2012
Synopsis

The EUROCONTROL Agency has been notified on numerous occasions about the misuse of the international aeronautical emergency frequency, 121.5MHz, most recently involving inappropriate ‘chat’ related to the ongoing EURO 2012 football championship.
ICAO Provisions


ICAO Annex 10, Volume V, § 4.1.3.1.1 states that frequency 121.5 MHz “shall be used only for genuine emergency purposes” broadly covering the following activities:
  • The handling of an emergency situations;
  • air-ground communication with aircraft with airborne equipment failure;
  • search and rescue operations and the operation of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs); and
  • air policing/interception action.
Note: Some states have filed differences to ICAO SARPs related to the use of 121.5 MHz - for instance, in the UK it can also be used for practice PAN calls to ensure pilot familiarity with the process. Such differences are detailed in national AIPs.
Analysis

Inappropriate ‘chat’ on 121.5 MHz could interfere with its legitimate use and should be avoided in order to maintain the integrity of the frequency for the purposes for which it is intended.
Your Attention Is Required
  • Aircraft operators are invited to remind their flight crews about the correct use of the international aeronautical emergency frequency, 121.5MHz, according to ICAO/national requirements and company policy.
  • Air Navigation Service Providers and State Aviation Authorities are invited to note the subject and share their experience with similar cases.
Further Reading
  • ICAO Annex 10, Vol V.
  • Request for Support Message, “Guarding 121.5 MHz”, 12 March 2007.
Disclaimer

© European Organisation for Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) June 2012. This alert is published by EUROCONTROL for information purposes. It may be copied in whole or in part, provided that EUROCONTROL is mentioned as the source and to the extent justified by the non-commercial use (not for sale). The information in this document may not be modified without prior written permission from EUROCONTROL. The use of the document is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. EUROCONTROL expressly disclaim any and all warranties with respect to any content within the alert, express or implied.
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