Anyone Know FCC Aero License Details ?

[ReceiverBeaver]

Hi group,

I have a brother in law who is a pilot and have this question in to him by email but I thought I'd float it here too.

We showed each other our FCC licenses one time a while back, mine for ham, his for air frequencies. All pilots will have one of course. I recall that his had no call sign, just his name.

So I'm wondering what is required to obtain the FCC license for TX'ing aero freq's......say for the non-flying ground crews who need to communicate with their company planes. Or the owner of a private plane who wants to communicate with his wife at home on the ground....ie "ground crew".

Is there a test? A fee? Just ask for one with the appropriate form and get one?

Anyone here know? Thanks

 

[nd5y]

As long as you don't fly to other countries and your aircraft only has a VHF radio, don't need an FCC license.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators

 

[ReceiverBeaver]

Hi Tom and thanks,

I thought I'd look around on the FCC site and saw info pointing to your answer. Deatils here:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/rp.html

OK, let me elaborate. I'm asking specifically about GROUND CREWS. You're on the ground, you have a VHF ONLY aero radio, handheld or otherwise. You want to talk to a plane, domestic only, legitimate communications. Does the ground operator need a license at all? If so, what kind of license and what are the requirements?

Thanks!

 

[tom_guess]

Previously commercial planes had their own license that was posted on the cockpit cabin door. The call sign was the tail number. I thought that was the way private planes were done as well. You own the plane, you have a license.

 

[ReceiverBeaver]

Hey Tom #2,

Actually, by looking at the FCC page, the rules were relaxed in a 1996 ruling. No license is required at all for domestic plane pilots using VHF ONLY frequencies. I'm only unsure about non-flying ground crew radio usage. TNX bud

 

[nd5y]

Previously commercial planes had their own license that was posted on the cockpit cabin door. The call sign was the tail number. I thought that was the way private planes were done as well. You own the plane, you have a license.

Thats a station license. Not to be confused with an operator license.

 

[nd5y]

OK I guess you found this page then: http://wireless.fcc.gov/aviation/

I didn't really know about ground crew type comms either until I found this:

MAY I USE MY HAND-HELD AIRCRAFT VHF RADIO ON LAND?
You may only use your hand-held aircraft VHF radio from your aircraft, or under the authority of an FCC ground station authorization. Ground station authorizations are usually only issued to aviation service organizations located on airports, businesses engaged in pilot training, aircraft manufacturers, or persons engaged in chase-car activities related to soaring and ballooning.

 

[ReceiverBeaver]

Hi Tom and thanks, Yes I saw that too. But I tried to find more information about Ground Stations and didn't immediately see any.

Here's my example:

A guy owns his own plane and has his own landing strip...keeps his plane at home. Can his wife on the ground talk to him from home....being his "ground crew", like on the intinerant 123.450mhz freq. Pilot: Honey I'll be there in 15 minutes. Wife: 10-4 darling, I'll have supper ready when you get here (on her handheld VHF air band radio). Is this situation allowable? Can the wife get licensed as a Ground Station for these communications?

 

[Finto]

I am a pilot also and I have a FCC issued Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Permit. Basically you pay for it and thats that. It is required when flying outside the US only. Every airline requires a RRTOP before interviewing someone. It is regarded by most pilots as a pain in the butt formality that you need to spend money on before going for an airline interview. I hope this helps.

 

[digitaljim6]

"Ground crews" (non-airborne) need station licenses. See FCC Part 87 for the different classes and eligibility requirements.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title47/47cfrv5_02.tpl

Click on "87" under the "Part" column to get the whole part in one web page.

Hi group,

I have a brother in law who is a pilot and have this question in to him by email but I thought I'd float it here too.

We showed each other our FCC licenses one time a while back, mine for ham, his for air frequencies. All pilots will have one of course. I recall that his had no call sign, just his name.

So I'm wondering what is required to obtain the FCC license for TX'ing aero freq's......say for the non-flying ground crews who need to communicate with their company planes. Or the owner of a private plane who wants to communicate with his wife at home on the ground....ie "ground crew".

Is there a test? A fee? Just ask for one with the appropriate form and get one?

Anyone here know? Thanks