Using a scanner on an aircraft?

[racin06]

I travel frequently on the job. Do airlines allow a passenger to use a scanner on an aircraft? I have used hand-held GPS receivers on many of my flights with permission from the flight crew. I would love to monitor the radio transmissions of my aircraft while using my GPS receiver simultaneously. I'll be in gadget heaven! :lol:

 

[Colin9690]

I am not really sure. I think i remember someone say to me that one of the 9/11 hijackers used a scanner to carry out their cowardly attack. I am not sure though.

It would be fun though, because airliners always announce their frequency changes over the air!


Colin

 

[GlacierClipper]

Check with the airlines ticket agent at the airport where the flight will be taken from. Many travel agents are lost when it comes giving the correct information on "Scanners"!

 

[Voyager]

I am not really sure. I think i remember someone say to me that one of the 9/11 hijackers used a scanner to carry out their cowardly attack. I am not sure though.

No, they did not use any radios.

Most airlines do not allow them, but some do. Chech with the airline.

Joe M.

 

[racin06]

I am not really sure. I think i remember someone say to me that one of the 9/11 hijackers used a scanner to carry out their cowardly attack. I am not sure though.

No, they did not use any radios.

Most airlines do not allow them, but some do. Chech with the airline.

Joe M.

Thanks for the answers. I do know that I have never been turned down by a flight crew as far as using a GPS receiver is concerned. However, a GPSR is not a scanner. I will check regarding a scanner. Thanks again.

 

[crayon]

You might also want to take the time to read these threads:

http://www.radioreference.com/modul...c&t=10693&highlight=scanners+aircraft

and

http://www.radioreference.com/modul...ic&t=4979&highlight=scanners+aircraft

both of which were found by using search parameter of:

scanners AND aircraft

:wink:

 

[Voyager]

I am not really sure. I think i remember someone say to me that one of the 9/11 hijackers used a scanner to carry out their cowardly attack. I am not sure though.

No, they did not use any radios.

Most airlines do not allow them, but some do. Chech with the airline.

Joe M.

Thanks for the answers. I do know that I have never been turned down by a flight crew as far as using a GPS receiver is concerned. However, a GPSR is not a scanner. I will check regarding a scanner. Thanks again.

Actually, a GPS unit IS a radio receiver - if they allow GPS, they should allow scanners. Most airlines won't allow anything that transmits (ham, cellular, FRS, GMRS, LMR, etc). If they allow consumer electronics, it will fall under that unless they have a rule specifically excluding communciations receivers.

Joe M.

 

[racin06]

Actually, a GPS unit IS a radio receiver - if they allow GPS, they should allow scanners. Most airlines won't allow anything that transmits (ham, cellular, FRS, GMRS, LMR, etc). If they allow consumer electronics, it will fall under that unless they have a rule specifically excluding communciations receivers.

Joe M.

Yes, a GPSR is a radio receiver. As I said, I have never had a pilot forbid me from using a GPSR. Actually, most pilots seem very happy to know that a passenger would take interest in the flight information (altitude, heading, bearing, speed, distance to destination, etc.).

 

[Chris-M]

I went to the Continental website www.continental.com and found this:

Devices that are not permitted for use at any time:

TVs, radio receivers and/or transmitters (including AM/FM/SW, CB and scanners), remote-control toys.


http://www.continental.com/travel/policies/baggage/devices.asp?SID=46B12D0CE0E64223A54F38DA5076EE1B

I'm pretty sure the other airlines are the same way. It's mainly an FAA mandated rule when it comes to electronic devices.

Note though it does not mention GPS units, so you're ok there!

 

[KR4BD]

Several years ago, scanners were allowed on one of the airlines I regularly flew at the time (USAir or Delta). Now, no one allows them to my knowledge. Regarding GPS devices, I recently flew on United and they prohibit their use. It's stated right in their airline magazine with all the other restricted items. I had mine with me and thought I would monitor the flight with it... I do know that some airlines will allow GPS use.... or at least some did fairly recently.

 

[Linn]

I flew on Southwest earlier this month. The magazine specifically said using a GPS was allowed.

 

[mciupa]

If the scanner is a no-go then as a consolation,I believe some
airlines, United (I think) dedicate one of the "on-board" channels
at your seat (in the system that allows you to hear movie audio) to
flight comms.
Perhaps someone can confirm this.

 

[zgafford]

This has been mentioned before in many threads. The rule to remember at all times is "THE CAPTAIN HAS THE FINAL SAY"

All airlines forbid the use of a scanner but if the captain (if he understands about scanners) says you can then by all means listen it.

I am not sure what you want to listen to. There is very little radio usage except during take off and landing and even then it's only what runway and what the weather is.

 

[JoeyC]

I am not sure what you want to listen to. There is very little radio usage except during take off and landing and even then it's only what runway and what the weather is.

Not really. There can be plenty of pilot to controller comms to be heard. Theres clearance delivery before takeoff, ground instructions, clearance for takeoff and last minute ammendments to flight plan if any. Depending on the traffic flow there can be lots of vectoring both to the departure routing and to the final approach course.

 

[waynesewell]

I went to the Continental website www.continental.com and found this:

Devices that are not permitted for use at any time:

TVs, radio receivers and/or transmitters (including AM/FM/SW, CB and scanners), remote-control toys.


http://www.continental.com/travel/policies/baggage/devices.asp?SID=46B12D0CE0E64223A54F38DA5076EE1B

I'm pretty sure the other airlines are the same way. It's mainly an FAA mandated rule when it comes to electronic devices.

Note though it does not mention GPS units, so you're ok there!

I don't read it that way. It says "radio receivers" period. Since it says "including" CB and scanners, i.e. these are examples, this does not imply radio receivers not listed are okay. A GPS is a radio receiver, though a specialized type. If it had said "radio receivers except GPS, then they would be okay.

 

[ScanManQSL]

for AmericanAirlines they states that:

AA.Com (under Carry-on Allowance)
Devices That Cannot Be Used on Board

Radios - AM, FM, VHF, battery or cord operated TV sets, TV cameras
Electronic games or toys with remote control, except those installed on the aircraft
Cordless computer mouse
Portable Global Positioning System (G.P.S.)

So, AA saying that I can not bring a receiver (scanner) on board??? Unless I have the pilot's permission on doing so???

 

[KR4BD]

When flying, I always carry a scanner, a Kenwood TH-6 (3-band handheld ham transceiver), a GPS unit and cell phone in my briefcase. I sometimes get questioned at the security checkpoint, but I show them my ham license and my GROL commercial license and that usually ends the discussion.

Naturally, I do not use these items on the plane as they are now generally forbidden on all flights. As I said in an earlier reply here, about 10-15 years ago, I think it was Delta or USAir that stated in their in-flight magazine that "VHF scanners" were permitted to be used. I really could never figure that out because they did ban all other radio/TV devices. Most of the aircraft communications are VHF, so why would they allow VHF scanners? Anyway, I DID use my scanner at that time (when it was OK) and never was questioned.

Also, United Airlines used to have one of their audio channels tuned to the cockpit/ground communications. I have not flown on United in recent years, except on their short-haul commuter service which has no audio available, so I don't know if they still offer that on one of the audio channels.

In recent years, I have not flown as much as I once did, but now have a new job which will require more travel, so I will monitor this issue.

 

[N_Jay]

for AmericanAirlines they states that:

AA.Com (under Carry-on Allowance)
Devices That Cannot Be Used on Board

. . . . .

So, AA saying that I can not bring a receiver (scanner) on board??? Unless I have the pilot's permission on doing so???

NO, It says you can not USE them on board. It does not say you can not BRING them on board.

Lots of missunderstandings start this way.

(Now we will have the whole discussion on what has been BROUGHT on-board without question.)

 

[W2SJW]

Continental does it all the time on channel 9. Forget the in-flight entertainment, I listen to that...

 

[DaveNF2G]

This has been mentioned before in many threads. The rule to remember at all times is "THE CAPTAIN HAS THE FINAL SAY"

NO, that is NOT the rule.

The rule is, "The Operator of the aircraft has the final say." On commercially certificated airliners, the Operator is the holder of the FAA certification - the AIRLINE, not the pilot.

Pilots do not have the legal authority to override their airline's rules. If the airline's website or magazine says "no receivers" then the pilot cannot say otherwise.