Guard (121.5) police get it wrong

[Il Duce]

Gloucester airfield called D&D on the phone this afternoon to ask if they could help with a guy who was lost and trying to get back to Kemble. D&D said, "No problem, put him on 121.5"
Pilot calls on 121.5 and D&D allocate a squawk, identify him and provide a steer to Kemble. Immediately followed by a (Germanic sounding) voice, "Why are you doing this on Guard?!"
"Because I'm assisting a lost pilot get to his destination." replied the London Centre controller, "Do you have a problem with that?"
"Er, um er, no, no problem. Er, would you like some help?" says chimp.
"Negative, thank you." says D&D, and continued with the lost guy.

[supadupafly]

Is flying really getting so stressful that people need to come on here and take unfounded cheap shots directed at particular airlines or nationalities, come on guys lets all just calm down a little!? Whichever nationality or airline the pilot in question belongs to, it's still wrong. I'm sure those who have stuck their beak in and interrupted a genuine emergency and then discovered this feel like complete prats and won't do it again.

[Il Duce]

Why "stick your beak in" in the first place?

[mini-jumbo]

Of course. How else apart from an often congested primary ATC frequencey can you do this?

It's standard to pop in a quick, Qantas ____ can you come up on 123.45 please? Simple, quick, doesnt hurt anyone.

Half the controllers in Europe use 121.5 to try to track heavies on the wrong primary frequency too btw.

No, it's not acceptable (and it's not standard - its bollocks). 121.5 is not so that you can ask your mates to call you on another frequency so you can have a chat.

Controllers need to be in contact with the aircraft they are controlling. If said aircraft isn't on the correct frequency, that needs to be rectified, therefore a quick call on 121.5 would be appropriate in that situation. This is very different from you calling up a mate because you want a chat.

[airfoilmod]

121.5

I know what it's for, and I've never had to use it. I love to fly. I've always loved to fly. I've flown for 35 years. I lost my medical and now fly with others, who also love to fly. Those who don't love to fly, Bitch.

[green granite]

The maritime system uses a channel (16) for distress AND calling, you call the vessel/coast station, arrange a working channel, and move to it. If an emergency is under way, then the controlling station imposes silence by transmitting the phrase "Seelonce Distress." if someone not involved in the distress comes up on frequency the phrase is repeated. Perhaps a similar system could be used for aircraft.

[Capt H Peacock]

Do not transmit on 121.5 unless in emergency or to send a message concerning the safety or regularity of flight.

Simple isn't it?

[Basil]

Do not transmit on 121.5 unless in emergency or to send a message concerning the safety or regularity of flight.

Capt P, in general I'd agree but I don't think it's too much of a misuse, as ejectx3 and green granite suggest, to use it to call someone over to 123.45 or pass an ATC freq (although that would come under 'send a message concerning the safety or regularity of flight')

ps: Don't stand any nonsense from that young Humphries

[mini-jumbo]

123.45

Which, incidently, isn't a chat frequency (at least in the UK, not sure about Europe)

[Basil]

mini-jumbo,
Yes, I almost said 'chat'. However, it is widely used as such, even if incorrectly.

[papa oscar]

With Mode S and accurate DF equipment at D&D they can identify just which aircraft is shouting 'You are on Guard' and it has been used for that purpose. So all you Guard Police are being watched - standby for 'Callsign XXX, please contact me on the landline when you land'

[DX Wombat]

With Mode S and accurate DF equipment at D&D they can identify just which aircraft is shouting 'You are on Guard' and it has been used for that purpose. So all you Guard Police are being watched -

Indeed you are and I've seen it in action. I took a group of PPLs down to West Drayton shortly before D&D moved out. We had a great time and during part of the tour were told that 121.5 has been used by (mainly commercial) people who ought to know better to do such things as PA announcements to the passengers. Several of the group were a little disbelieving until, right on cue "Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen this is your Captain speaking......" The weather at their destination was apparently quite nice. The disbelievers were dumbfounded then absolutely delighted as, within a split second, the board lit up with a multitude of red DF lines. GOTCHA! The culprit was pinpointed very accurately. We were assured that the incident would not pass without some response.

[chintanmanis]

123.45 guards

In the far East we have Japanese and Chinese guys sharing flight info, weather info also shouted down by Sky Gods from the big US and Western legacy carriers. However when we have golf, football, rugby and tennis scores happily broadcasted by their ilk, silence, cheers and great tolerance were shown not mentioning that once I overheard two blokes sharing pickup lines to deal with a certain Latina trolley dollie. Hypocrisy at it's best with such " guards "

[stilton]

Problem with 'Practice Pans' is that they clog up the frequency when there may be an aircraft with a genuine need.

Why not a dedicated practice frequency for practice pans

[FREDAcheck]

Problem with 'Practice Pans' is that they clog up the frequency when there may be an aircraft with a genuine need.

A report last year showed that (in the UK) the vast majority of non-emergency use of 121.5 was by commercial traffic, so I think the answer to your comment is "no they don't".

[Chippie Chappie]

If there is a real emergency during a practice pan, my guess is that the controller would say something to the effect of "Practice pan not available, standby, break, mayday aircraft go ahead".

Re the twin with the gear problem. How is a pan call viewed by ATC globally? I have been told that in some of the farther flung corners of the world, a pan call elicits little if any response and so just go ahead with a mayday call. Is there validity in this?

Cheers,

Chips

[thinkingpilot]

far flung corners

sorry pal but even in so called far flung corners pan is understood. if not then neither would mayday

[Firestorm]

[QUOTE]Funny, I always seem to hear the folks with one of those snobby Oxford accents.../QUOTE]

and I always seem to hear one of those regional grammer school accents, the kind that sound like a time and motion study clipboard weilder.

[DX Wombat]

If there is a real emergency during a practice pan, my guess is that the controller would say something to the effect of "Practice pan not available, standby, break, mayday aircraft go ahead".

Yes they would. Sometime back I asked D&D if they wanted anyone to ask for a training fix (on the previously mentioned visit they had asked us to call them if we had time). I had listened out to hear if the frequency was in use and heard nothing so called. My offer was declined politely as they were busy with what I assume was a Military emergency as I didn't hear a thing on 121.5.

[Sleeve Wing]

PENKO. #17.

QUOTE> Don't worry sleeve, no arrogance intended.<UNQUOTE

No problem, old chap.

A couple of suggestions for "hailing freq." like Ch.16 Maritime. Could be the answer ?

See you in the bar.

Sleeve