Transceiver / Receiver
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 89
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From: UK
This might be useful http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/206...tions-law.html
The bit that says "A licence is not required for a radio receiver as long as it is not capable of transmission as well" would tend to suggest that it would be illegal to use it without a FRTOL regardless of whether you were transmitting or not as it is "capable of transmission".
Of course there is no restriction on owning it, anyone can buy one, it would just be illegal to use it!
The bit that says "A licence is not required for a radio receiver as long as it is not capable of transmission as well" would tend to suggest that it would be illegal to use it without a FRTOL regardless of whether you were transmitting or not as it is "capable of transmission".
Of course there is no restriction on owning it, anyone can buy one, it would just be illegal to use it!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,626
Likes: 12
From: UK
would tend to suggest that it would be illegal to use it without a FRTOL
PPL holders have an air-band radio operator license in order to qualify and so they can use an air-band transceiver.
The privileges of a FRTOL are to operate an aircraft radio station. If the portable transceiver forms part of the aircraft radio station i.e. in an emergency, it is perfectly legal to use it. On the ground away from the aircraft, the FRTOL is no more use than a driving licence, it is an operator licence not a station licence. Any transmitter, unless it is subject to an exemption, needs a radio station licence to operate it. There is nothingh illegal regarding posession or sale of such equipment unless it falls into a specifically restriced category such as some CB equipment.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 255
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From: just to the left of the filing cabinet
What Heston & Whopity said. I think some of the confusion is because historically the possession of a FRTOL used to allow people to operate an airfield A/G station - and in fact many were 'grandfathered' across.
However these days you need a 1 hour written and 1 hour practical exam just to get the A/G certificate, which then has to be countersigned by the airfield's radio licence holder.
However these days you need a 1 hour written and 1 hour practical exam just to get the A/G certificate, which then has to be countersigned by the airfield's radio licence holder.
Last edited by znww5; 13th February 2014 at 10:43.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,626
Likes: 12
From: UK
because historically the possession of a FRTOL used to allow people to operate an airfield A/G station
There is quite a lot of information re licensing on the CAA Website
Joined: Apr 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 57
From: Surrey, UK ;
My view on the OPs question.
There are legal restrictions on use but unless anybody does anything reckless or stupid like impersonating Heathrow Tower I have never in 40 years heard of anybody being prosecuted for quietly listening out. There isn't any restriction on sales, otherwise Transair and Harry Medelssohn wouldn't sell them over the counter and by mail order.
I regularly transmit on my old IC-20 by standing next to the aeroplane and saying "Tower G-ABCD Radio Check handheld" If that's illegal so be it.
There are legal restrictions on use but unless anybody does anything reckless or stupid like impersonating Heathrow Tower I have never in 40 years heard of anybody being prosecuted for quietly listening out. There isn't any restriction on sales, otherwise Transair and Harry Medelssohn wouldn't sell them over the counter and by mail order.
I regularly transmit on my old IC-20 by standing next to the aeroplane and saying "Tower G-ABCD Radio Check handheld" If that's illegal so be it.
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,458
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From: Wildest Surrey
Mariner9 - they'll be wasting their money if they do. The CAA only intend to issue 8.33khz frequencies for upper airspace en-route traffic in the foreseeable future, not for airfield use.
