AVIATION RADIO 6 July 2004 Robin Gable & Paul F. Ryan © Paul F. Ryan

Presentation Objectives Communications Purpose Frequency Range Modes Types Sequence Listing Sectional ID Local Usage Navigation Purpose Frequency Range Types Identification Listing Sectional ID Local NAVAIDs

Communication Aviation communication enforces and enhances safety of flight by providing timely information between pilot, tower, ground, Air Traffic Control and Flight Service Stations. Communication is required in MOST but not ALL air operations.

Communications Frequencies General & Commercial VHF, MHz Current system uses 25 KHz spacing Some LF NDBs are still active

One Way Communication From Ground to Plane ATIS or Automated Terminal Information System Weather (WX) – not on aviation bands From Plane to Ground Runway Light Control at unattended airports

Two Way Communication UNICOM and MULTICOM Clearance Delivery Ground Tower Departure/Approach Control FSS – Flight Plan/Flight Following/WX Other Aircraft

Radio Data Airman’s Information Manual (AIM) Facilities Directory Sectional (most common)

Sectionals

Comm Data on Sectional - I

Sequence Controlled Field ATIS Clearance Delivery Ground Tower Departure Control FSS or monitor Approach Control Tower Ground Uncontrolled UNICOM FSS or ATC for ARSAs enroute UNICOM

Departing Flights - I Uncontrolled Airport Use UNICOM or MultiCOM  Various Frequencies i.e , “Slatington traffic, Cessna 8867S entering runway 19, north departure, Slatington traffic.” “Kutztown traffic, Piper 4673T departing the downwind 18 pattern, eastbound, Kutztown traffic.”

Departing Flights - II Controlled Airport (Tower or CZ) Monitor ATIS Clearance Delivery – Intentions Ground – Traffic Control Tower – Takeoff Clearance Departure – Lead you out of the ARSA

Enroute – I VFR Call FSS on to open flight plan and request flight following “Flight service, Cessna 8867S listening on the Allentown omni.” “Cessna 8867S, Flight Service, go ahead.” “I’d like to open my flight plan, off Slatington field at 27 past the hour.” …

Enroute – II IFR Hand Off to Center or High Level control for IFR flights.

Arriving Flights ATIS Approach Control Tower Ground Control FSS to close flight plan (via landline)

Sequence Controlled Field ATIS Clearance Delivery Ground Tower Departure Control FSS or monitor Approach Control Tower Ground Uncontrolled UNICOM FSS or ATC for ARSAs enroute UNICOM

Local Frequencies – AM, MHZ ATIS – Control <3K, N, S Tower Ground – FSS , and PHI Approach Wilkes-Barre – 126.3, ATIS 111.6

NAVIGATION To provide a pilot with automated positioning services that help keep him on course and legal. General aviation aids use MHz.

Navigation Band Divisions Navigation MHz LF/MF Beacons

Types of Naviagtion Facilities NDB – Non-directional Beacons VOR – VHF Omni-Range TACAN – Tactical Air Navagation VORTAC – colocated VOR & TACAN

NAV Facilities - Legend

NDB – NonDirectional Beacon Simple RF Source No azimuth info, range available on few Uses on-board switched rhombic antenna to decode

NDB Display on Sectional

VOR -- VHF Omni-Range Provides azimuth information Pilot can plot position using triangulation May provide range info (DME) if so equipted Uses “rotating rose” antenna pattern Local VORs are ETX (110.2) and FJC [old ABE] (111.1)

VOR Display on Sectional

TACAN Provides azimuth and distance info. Uses military UHF channels Same principle as VOR

Local Nav Frequencies FJC [ABE] VOR – (Allentown) ETX VOR – (East Texas) PNE VOR – (N. Philadelphia) LVZ VOR – (Wilkes Barre) PTW VOR – (Pottstown) Others New York Control

Typical Sectional