The morons on 121.5. Authorities please act!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 7
From: EU
I can't deny the allegation because I wasn't there, but I've never heard any such comments or rumours of unprofessional comments on 121.5 in my time with that airline. I've absolutely no doubt that anyone admitting to such commentary in the crewroom would meet with immediate condemnation from their peers.
As those noises and comments are generally made in certain airspace, I've always assumed it was coming from the ground.
As those noises and comments are generally made in certain airspace, I've always assumed it was coming from the ground.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 5
From: U.K.
Perhaps I should qualify my statement; the indivuals weren't admitting to actually making these transmissions (as you say, I'm sure they would be condemned for doing so) but certainly seemed to find the practice amusing, which I thought spoke a little of their general professional attitudes. Perhaps that's unfair, but I think it gave a poor impression, and if anyone from the selecting team had overheard, I expect they might feel the same!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 7
From: EU
I was listening to a couple of pilots in their twenties from a certain low cost carrier joking about making noises, jokes etc on 121.5. I was thinking, come on guys, really? And if you do do that, is here the place to admit it?
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 616
Likes: 57
From: GPS L INVALID
Mandarin: Bě zui!
Korean: Dahk chuh!
Tagalog: Tahimik!
While I agree that messing about on 121.5 is not the most mature thing to do I don't think its as dramatic of a situation as the thread starter makes it. Ignore it, move on... Just like trolls on the internet, the golden rule is not to feed them! Shouting at people increases the traffic on guard even more and challenges others to respond with an even more agressive 'bahhh' or 'mooooo'.
Korean: Dahk chuh!
Tagalog: Tahimik!
While I agree that messing about on 121.5 is not the most mature thing to do I don't think its as dramatic of a situation as the thread starter makes it. Ignore it, move on... Just like trolls on the internet, the golden rule is not to feed them! Shouting at people increases the traffic on guard even more and challenges others to respond with an even more agressive 'bahhh' or 'mooooo'.
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 200
Likes: 9
From: U.K.
I had to use 121.5 recently in a SEP, it's amazing this thread clearly states an airline pilot may have deliberately put my life in danger.
What was truly amazing (to me) was that I had lost my transponder and they triangulated my position before I told them even roughly were I was. I presume that was done from my RT ?
There's a thread elsewhere about how little respect airline captains get these days. I wonder why ?
What was truly amazing (to me) was that I had lost my transponder and they triangulated my position before I told them even roughly were I was. I presume that was done from my RT ?
There's a thread elsewhere about how little respect airline captains get these days. I wonder why ?
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 0
From: Florida and wherever my laptop is
It is called 'auto-triangulation' or 'multilateration'; the system shows the controller the position of any aircraft transmitting on the emergency frequencies using direction finding from multiple receiver sites. The system was developed for military aircraft in emergency which at that time often only had a few seconds to call Mayday before exiting the aircraft.
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: New Milton
Just a thought, how about an international alternative frequency using SW USB or LSB for when 121.5 (VHF) is clogged up? Perhaps somewhere around 20.980 Mhz? Any idiots would need expensive Ham sets to interfere. I'm pretty sure Canadian Air Force used to use a frequency around there with call sign VXV9.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 748
Likes: 23
From: Not Aviation House
What about the morons who spend all day interjecting the word 'blocked' on busy ATC frequencies?
Very occasionally this helps the controller. 90% of the time it adds to the congestion.
Stop it guys, and let the controller do their job.
Very occasionally this helps the controller. 90% of the time it adds to the congestion.
Stop it guys, and let the controller do their job.
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 1
From: world
What about the morons who spend all day interjecting the word 'blocked' on busy ATC frequencies?
Very occasionally this helps the controller. 90% of the time it adds to the congestion.
Very occasionally this helps the controller. 90% of the time it adds to the congestion.
