AVIATION RADIO
6 July 2004
Robin Gable &
Paul F. Ryan
© 7-6-2004 Paul F. Ryan
Presentation Objectives
Communications
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Purpose
Frequency Range
Modes
Types
Sequence
Listing
Sectional ID
Local Usage
Navigation
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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
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VHF, 118-136 MHz
Current system uses 25 KHz spacing
Some LF NDBs are still active
One Way Communication
From Ground to Plane
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ATIS or
Automated Terminal Information System
Weather (WX) – not on aviation bands
From Plane to Ground
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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
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ATIS
Clearance Delivery
Ground
Tower
Departure Control
FSS or monitor 121.5
Approach Control
Tower
Ground
Uncontrolled
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UNICOM
FSS or 121.5
ATC for ARSAs
enroute
UNICOM
Departing Flights - I
Uncontrolled Airport
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Use UNICOM or MultiCOM
 Various Frequencies i.e. 122.7, 122.8
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“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)
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Monitor ATIS
Clearance Delivery – Intentions
Ground – Traffic Control
Tower – Takeoff Clearance
Departure – Lead you out of the ARSA
Enroute – I VFR
Call FSS on 122.2 to open flight plan
and request flight following
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“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.”
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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
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ATIS
Clearance Delivery
Ground
Tower
Departure Control
FSS or monitor 121.5
Approach Control
Tower
Ground
Uncontrolled
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UNICOM
FSS or 121.5
ATC for ARSAs
enroute
UNICOM
Local Frequencies – AM, MHZ
ATIS – 126.975
Control - 118.2 <3K, 119.65N, 124.45S
Tower - 120.5
Ground – 121.9
-------------------------------------FSS - 122.0, 122.1 and 122.2
PHI Approach - 126.85
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 108-118
MHz.
Navigation Band Divisions
Navigation
 108-118 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 – 117.5 (Allentown)
ETX VOR – 110.2 (East Texas)
PNE VOR – 112.0 (N. Philadelphia)
LVZ VOR – 111.6 (Wilkes Barre)
PTW VOR – 116.5 (Pottstown)
Others
New York Control
Typical Sectional