VOLMET or ATIS, I would imagine. Oh, and I suppose for completeness, VORs, NDBs and DMEs... :rolleyes:

I'd probably agree, noting that Volmet is boradcast on 'normal' COM channels, and my local ATIS on the VOR. So you'd have to listen in, find out if its ATIS, VOR etc, and climb off: sounds like Catch 22? Especially if you're scanning.

Anyway, I use my scanner thingy (I can't even recall the make - some Jap thing) to hone my already lousy RT skills just before my lessons, and listen to the ATIS so I know what to expect when the instructor is breathing down my neck ;)

A handheld transcever (such as ICOM A22) must be licenced, if you have an aircraft radio licence it may be covered by that licence. But IT MUST be listed on that licence.
Having said that, a PPL (with operator and installation licence) is still only licenced to use the equipment (ie the handheld) in the air - and while operating the aircraft on the ground.
To operate an airband radio (station) you must hold a ground station licence and operators certificate/licence.

Revived to answer Mazzys question regarding his highly illegal new hobby... :D

So let me get something straight.
You can listen to things on a radio only if you have permission of the sender.
So does that make it illegal to listen to Radio 1?

Do some airlines not have a channel (or at least, used to) where you could listen in to RT?

I would have thought from all the posts, that if its just a receiver you have, and you are only listening on published ATC frequencies, that that is legal.

If you act on any info heard, or listen to emergency channels such as police, then you are doing something illegal.

I have been to countless airports where they have the ATC on at the flying clubs, and also at big airports everyone listens in - the crew bus drivers, the handling agents, etc. Surely they are not all illegal???

If so, surely the law should be changed!

Arrrggh! NO! :*

You can freely receive "general reception" transmissions. This includes commercial and BBC radio stations, etc.

Listening to any other kind of transmission, including emergency services, ATC, etc. is illegal unless you have an applicable licence.

All this is explained on the Ofcom Website. Stick "Ofcom receive-only" into Google.

Your FRTOL only entitles you to operate a fixed installation in an aircraft. This is covered in LASORS section B.

Later,

TPK:ok:

I think it's safe to say it is illegal and having an FRTOL is no way around it - just do it and dont get caught and dont be a t*t and use it in a money making evil way!

I made this post in my diary, apologies for the duplication but it's better in here:

The thing is, today I am taking my girlfriend to the flying school - she is gonna sit by the apron on the picnic tables whilst I do circuits. She has never been in that environment before and she is looking forward to it. I was gonna give her my little scanner, just so she could listen in to me in the circuit - but now I am 50/50. If I were to do it then, perhaps I would give her earphones, as to not make it too obvious. I cant see the harm personally, as there is one in the lounge anyway that everyone can hear (she wont even know what the hell it all means anyway! (sorry luv)) :E

BRL: good to see you posting in there again :)

Maz

edit: I will be turning myself in this evening at the local police station ;)