© Frankljunior | Dreamstime.com – Air Traffic Control Tower And An Airplane Photo
This has become a popular question with our CC Skywave™.
According to Wikipedia, Airband, also referred to as Aircraft or Aviation band, is a group of frequencies in the VHF radio spectrum that are allocated to civil aviation radio communications. VHF is a short range, line of site transmission. Our radio covers 118 – 137MHz for Airband. In most countries a license is required to operate airband equipment but that appears to apply only to transceivers, not receivers. In some countries it is illegal to listen to or monitor the Airband without authorization (even in the UK).
The language that is used to communicate on this band can be a challenge to follow. Ken Hoke’s article on Stuff Pilots Say, gives some great insight into the meaning of the seemingly cryptic language used on Airband.
The primary purpose of Air traffic control worldwide is to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and provide information and other support for pilots. It was difficult to find any “history” of airband but it appears that it was first used extensively after World War I and after 1921 at Croydon airport in London. Navigation and air traffic control have changed over time and many areas use higher frequencies and RADAR and other more sophisticated systems. The Airband radio frequencies still continue to play a part though, especially in ground communication with pilots. It is used almost exclusively in small airports that don’t have control towers. We have one customer who plans to use the CC Skywave for monitoring the ground to pilot communication at the local air races.
As to why we decided to include Airband in our radio? Here is Bob’s answer:
“When you are in a big airport you are sometimes subject to the whims of security and circumstance. TSA does a great job but when the process gets a little tense I yearn for more information. I want to know everything that will affect my tiny domain. When you listen to aviation band you can usually figure out more by reading between the lines on what pilots and the control tower are talking about. Sometimes you gain a sense of power and wisdom as you do with any knowledge.”
For more information on what you might hear or how to listen, visit the links below.
http://radio-scanner-guide.com/radioscannerguidepart3c-civilaircraft.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Listen-to-Your-Local-Air-Traffic-Control
Tell us your best airline story in the comments below.
I’ve only flown twice. From DC to Columbia, SC on my way to boot camp and then from Atlanta to DC afterwards. Flying home I was talking to the lady next to me and I mentioned that I was to meet my cousin Gene at Washington National. She asked if I had told him what flight I would be on. I didn’t even think about doing that. She said he needed to know what flight I was on in order to find me. Now I was worried. Fortunately he is a good detective and was there waiting for me. The only other time I was to fly was on Sep. 11, 2001. My wife and I were going to Harlingen, TX to visit her parents. When we arrived at Baltimore/Washington airport we found that it was closed down and that is when we learned that the first tower in NY had fallen. I think I’m through flying.
After a 30-year military career (84-14) and 50-countries, I have so very many stories (CWO4, Ret.). A memorable one was October ’97. My Training Team & I were in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We were headed to the coast (Aktau/Aktay, Kazakhstan). We were traveling w/ two cargo crates filled with Law Enforcement (LE) training gear (real handcuffs, real gun belts, real batons, fake guns w/ other LE-related training gear & translated handouts – in Russian). Each weighed over 100 lbs. Back in the day, U.S. air carriers would charge us a very reasonable two hundred dollars or so to get these crates from the U.S. to our foreign destination. Once we landed on foreign soil and slept for a night, the “chain” was broken and we had to broker through the foreign carriers. We had to stop for the night – landed at 11 P.M. – and the Aktau/Aktay flight was the next day around noon. Our in-country carrier was Kazak Air. At that time Kazak Air had old Aeroflot (Russian National Airlines) planes from the 70s (maybe even the 60s – they were old!). These planes didn’t give the appearance of being safe or well maintained. When we checked our baggage (Team of 6: 4 trainers & 2 military interpreters w/ personal bags & the LE Gear), the clerk rang-up our cross-country excess baggage to something close to $3000 USD! We tried to reason, cajole, etc., but she just smiled and held firm with her number. We had no choice but to pay the fee. When we walked out to the plane, a man in coveralls approached us. After 45-seconds speaking to the interpreters, my lead interpreter turned to me and said, “You must pay him an excess baggage fee”. I laughed, said a few choice words and “you’re kidding me, right?” My interpreter said, “Sir, you don’t understand, this man is the loadmaster … he is in-charge of loading our bags. You only paid the airline. He said if we ever want to see any of our bags again, we must pay him, too”. The loadmaster’s bribe amounted to $375 USD. To top it all off, on this flight my teammate Bob sat next to an elderly lady who had a caged chicken on her lap during the flight (I’m sure no one believes this but it’s the truth). That day wasn’t fun – that entire mission wasn’t fun – but it sure is fun looking back on 17+ years later.
My old fave was BOAC, then Eastern Air Lines, & I even walked their picket line @ EWR,I knew so many there. Pity, but I would NOT then fly Continental because of one Frank Lorenzo.
I have no comment because I was never able to hear Air traffic on the scanner I have. I tried just about every time I turned on the scanner but I never heard a thing. I look forward to having a radio worthy of air traffic receiving.
80’s. That was the peak period when I enjoyed shortwave listening. I have heard about airband and other interesting radio info and hobbies on Radio Netherlands, Media Network. But never had the opportunity to have a radio with airband. It’s fascinating and exciting of course to listen to pilot conversations. My favorite airline is Delta within US and international airline is Emirates. My favorite airport is Dubai International Airport.
I don’t fly. I have two kids in college and can’t afford too! Would listen in though :>)
Best thing was I was traveling on Allegheny with my father from my grand pa’s funeral. Landed in NYC and when we got on,told Dad,”see the guy holding the ladder? He ‘s the Pilot!” And He was!
Delta is my favorite airline because of dependability. Favorite airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport since it seems to be the most efficient. One time landing in Atlanta the fog was so thick you couldn’t see outside. Once getting low enough to get below the fog I noticed we were at the end of the runway and the plane immediately full throttled and went steeply straight up. We circled and landed safely but it was scary.
Of the many flights I have taken (there are many stories) the one that really got my attention was US AIR landing in Albany ny. The plane was a twin engine 20 passenger and no door on the cockpit.. When very near landing and in line with the runway the plane suddenly went sideways and we were about 200 ft to the left of the runway and flying parallel to it. The best part was the reaction of the pilot. He let out a very loud expletive and held on to the yoke. We lined up with the runway and safely landed. It was amazing.Fortunately the runway is very long as it is used for large military aircraft.
I Like Virgin Atlantic–it has style and still serves food without asking for payment for it. I love to fly. My favorite Airport used to be Minneapolis/St. Paul before the mall got shut down after 1/11. My best experience on a plane was with Virgin Atlantic when we were an hour and a half taking off from London, and the pilot went so fast we were only about 30 minutes late.
I worked for Delta Airlines in customer service in Baton Rouge for 3 years. We had to wear several hats during our shift. I could be working the counter issuing tickets, then get pulled to the ramp to unload a plane, then to baggage service to help find a missing bag. We were a mechanic station for plane repairs so we had alot of delays and cancellations. I got yelled at alot by frustrated passengers. The pay was terribly low, the hours were crazy(who goes to work at 4am for $7.75/hr) but it was the most enjoyable and fun job I’ve ever had. We only had the CRJ’s come in but I can’t tell you how thrilled it would make me to see those small planes coming in and going out. I love airports and everything about them.
Aer Lingus from Boston to Ireland. It’s always a wonderful ride. They take good care for their passengers. Being Originally from Ireland, (county Sligo) Then moving to Boston in the 70’s, I fly back and forth yearly. I also Love C.Crane, I followed Art Bell to your site years ago, and never left.
Once when I was flying to Las Vegas, without any warning our plane “hit a pocket”. I was lifted out of my seat a few feet dumping the drink I had in my hands all over me! Not only was I really shaken and frazzled from the experience, I forgot to take my carry-on luggage off the plane. Needless to say, I had nothing to change into and thank GOD I found an all night Walmart. Viva Las Vegas!
Heathrow, people watching times a bazillion!
My most memorible time spent in an airport terminal was on Christmas eve 1972. I had enlisted in the U.S. Navy in late August of that year and had enjoyed spending a few days leave with my family to celebrate Christmas with them before having to return back to my ship for duty. My family was driving me to the Greensboro, NC airport, which was about a 90 mile trip from our home, when unexpectedly my dad’s car broke down about 20 miles from our home. Given the fact that it was late Sunday afternoon and Christmas eve, there were no repair shops open and we were all feeling some anxiety about me being able to make my flight on time do that I would be able to report back to my ship before midnight. Fortunately, I was able to hitch a ride with a group of 3 teenagers who were going to their hometown – Greensboro! They were traveling in a big Oldsmobile, and the backseat driver’s side window was stuck in the down position. Any guesses as to which seat I got to ride in all the way to the airport? Brrrrr!!! Although I arrived in time to make my flight, I was feeling pretty lonely without my family there to see me off. My loneliness soon turned to laughter for me and all the other awaiting passengers when an airport employee came over the speaker system and told us jokes to boost our holiday spirit. I was flying military standby on a Piedmont Airlines propjet and with only one vacant seat left, I was the last passenger to board the plane. My guardian angel was certainly looking after me on that day! My family’s guardian angel was looking after them, as well. They were able to contact my younger brother who was able to get their car fixed so they could get back home that night.
The airport in Singapore(Chiangi) is my favorite. I feel very comfortable & safe there. There is a workout room, in-airport hotel(convenient), workout area, and if you have enough time during layover, a free city tour which is great…Love it. And came to love Singapore. Don’t miss the city if you get the chance. English speaking, safe, many things to see
30 years ago I used to love, love, love traveling Business Class to London, Germany, and Brussels on company business when you could arrive to the airport 45 minutes before the flight and breeze through airport security. Those days are long gone and forever.
As a teenager growing up in St. Paul, MN. in the late 50’s and early 60’s, one of our and our friends most fun activities was to pile in one of our parents cars, and drive to the Wold Chamberlian airport, now know as the Mpls – St.Paul International Air Port. There was an old frontage road at the end of one of the runways that we could get to. There we parked the car, got out, and spent most of the night sitting on the grass and watched those huge to us at that time planes come in right over our heads and land down the runway a bit. To us it was an awesome time and adventure.
My best airline story is being stranded in Anchorage, Alaska by (no longer in business) Wein Airlines back in the 80’s. I was 15 on my way to King Salmon to meet my father and go fishing. He was already there and I was coming in from Seattle.
Wien missed my connection and put me up in a hotel for the night. Did I say I was 15? I made friends with everyone I met and we partied until I had to leave the next morning. The drinking age was 19 and nobody gave a rip who went to a bar. This one night is one of my fondest memories as a teenager. Total freedom and a mini-bar to call my own.
It wasn’t until the next day I realized that neither I, nor Wien, had contacted my parents to let them know my whereabouts. My mother was two twitches from a full on nervous breakdown and my father was trying to book a charter to come look for me. Man, I was in so much trouble…
Ahhhh… The memories.
Search and Rescue flights with storms in the area are scary and fustrating when you find out the missing was a hoax.
When I travel, my favorite airline is American. It has been so since the 1960’s.
I have been an aviation enthusiast since 15 years of. I listened to airline traffic channels on my Stromberg Carlson short wave radio. I still listen to air traffic over the internet.
I have never listen To the Airband But would like to listen if i own a radio .
My brother missed a ride to clear lake so he went to san jose air port an took a lesson that flew in to Clear Lake. The air port is in the middle of a pear orchard, we were in the bar waiting we heard all the talk between the plane an the air traffic control, we heard him an saw him land. The instructure was surprised how good he did for one lesson he came into the bar and chris bought him a cup of coffee and he had a drink.
Look at Thom Richard fly 600 miles per hrs
Reno Air Races 2013 Unlimited Silver from Pylon 4: http://youtu.be/XXWgDf2joDo
Thxs CC
My favorite airport: CLOW International in Plainfield, Il. My wife and I earned our Private Pilot licenses there back in the ’80’s. Radio work was a big part of our training. Had the CC Skywave been around then we certainly would have had one!
Have a friend that flys the gas pipe line in Ma.
1963; flying on a twin engine military Air-EVAC plane with my five year old son from Okinawa to Japan. The plane was making a terrible, metallic scraping noise, the flight engineer kept looking out the window , several times, with a worried look on his face. This did not help as I was already a nervous wreck.. I felt a tug on my sleeve and my son said, ” mommy, when is that other airplane going to pass us?”
It’s such amazing,that a group of frequencies in the VHF radio spectrum,
to radio communication in civil aviation.I once had the opportunity,to
experience the communication,while preparations were in the making,
for a landing.I always travel with Delta,because there’s no need to complain.
A pleasant crew,and good service, will always make one’s day.
In the early 1940s I was eight years old my father and I used to spend times in the area set aside by Lambert Airport in St. Louis for citizens to watch the airplanes fly in. It was very exciting for me because my did let me listen to the radio where the controllers could talk to the pilots. We would spend hours sitting on the hood of the old 39 Dodge and watch and listen. I am now in my 80s and would really like to hear that aircraft radio is dead called it, again dan
Had crews working up in the DEW line, Arctic circle; approximately 600 miles from the north pole area. We’d land on air strips in military 737 with skid plates. First time I got off I ask why the plates were on the way they were. “To stop gravel from flying up into the jet engines on takeoffs and landings, and making a real mess of things and you”. It gets better
I myself fly, Cessna 182, These bush type pilots you see in movies and National Geographic are the real deal. They’re flying us into these remote, small inlet islands where we’re setting up gear. We land on the water in Cessna 210’s with pontoons. They fly over the top of a mountain and dive swoop down into these hamlet areas and drop us off. Some of them give you an extra boost of adrenaline by just clearing a peak and then dive bombing to the water pulling out when you don’t think there’s any room left
When these pilots drop you off they give you a specific date and time of when they’ll be back; don’t be late or we leave you till next time they say. They were serious for arctic weather can change from hour to hour. One of my crew, didn’t take the pilot seriously the first time, wound up spending an extra 10 lonely, lonely days before recycling- He really learned responsibility
In spite of the roughness of the terrain, one the most beautiful awe inspiring places on earth. Polar bear, Arctic Salmon at 5 pounds they’d throw back, Eskimos still eating a high fat blubber diet, and plant life growing rapidly- genetically realizing they have approximately an 8 week life cycle before winter returns. , Even 25 degrees in summer felt warm.
And yes we listened to radio a lot and read
Thanks for listening
Don
PSA ,Pacific Southwest Airlines was absolutely the best airline ever.They painted smiles on the airplanes and the service and price was excellent.
The Best Airport? Felts Field ,Spokane Washington. Very historic, great facilities, lots of restoration and home building, excellent tower crew and airport management. Flying weather and general lack of crosswinds makes it pleasant to fly out of.
I had the unfortunate opportunity to have a front row seat on 9/11. I had an 8:00 a.m. United Airlines flight from Baltimore to Los Angeles. Had I taken the American Airlines flight from Dulles which was much closer, but much more expensive, I wouldn’t be here to write this. Part way through the flight, the Captain announced that we had to make an emergency landing as all aircraft across the country were doing. The only thing I could get from the flight attendant who was furiously trying to make a call on the air phone, was that a plane had got the World Trade Center. After letting that sink in, I remembered that United had a channel for air traffic control. Some of the planes had turned that channel off, but ours was still on. The information and directions were coming out so fast, it seemed as if they were auctioning planes while in flight. A cargo plane was asking if the tower wanted him to go around another time, but the controller said he could get in line. The next line was a little startling. “United 299, turn left to a heading of (some direction I don’t recall) and get as close as you feel comfortable to the plane ahead of you. When you land, find the first available spot on the runway and park.”
Landing thousands of planes safely in a short time was a tribute to the air traffic controllers and the pilots. When we eventually made it into the Kansas City Airport and found out what had happened, we were happy to be anywhere.
I always liked airplanes and how and where they travelled when I was young I joined the Ground Observer Corp. We stood up on a high tower to spot enemy planes of our country. This was in the 1950’s before the radar was in place. My friends and I would go to airshows when my children were young. I still believe plane spotting is still exciting.
I was flying from Home (Chicago-o”Hare) airport to Boston to be Best Man At one of my Best High School Buddies’ Wedding in extreme S.E. Maine,(believe town name was Bath, ME.) Sitting in the Last row with about 30 Min. left in
the Flight, the CUTE Brunette Stewardess I’d been locking Eyeball Radar with, asked if I could move from Aisle to
Window seat for a moment. Puzzled, I complied. She sat next to me, and after Brief Small- talk , inquired as to the purpose
of my Flight. After I told her, she said ” Sounds Like Fun…I’M facing a boring weekend in Boston without Plans”. I stated I
may also be Bored, as going Single, I won’t know another person besides Mike. She stated: “going to a Wedding without
a Date is a Bummer”. I looked as Tenderly into her eyes as I could, and said: Do I have a Date NOW ? Needless to say,
we spent the Entire Weekend together, Wedding and All, Having a FABULOUS time.(No, I don’t Kiss & Tell…) HAD I tried
to Hit on her First, as probably happens to Most Stewardi constantly, would have Probably “Gone Down In Flames”….
This was Undoubtedly the Luckiest Date in my Life !!
Allegiance Airlines is my favorite from no hassle online booking to a professional staff and smooth on time direct flights.
Whilst waiting between flights at DFW airport, I overheard the guy next to me reference “Premiere Networks” during his phone conversation. I asked him about it after he was done with his call, and the end result was that we discussed old-time L.A. radio. He graciously sent me a limited edition numbered HD radio when he got back home, which was greatly appreciated.
Worked for Capital/United Airlines for 46plus years……In the early 50’s we had company radio at larger stations to communicate from ground stations & the aircraft ……. This plus the Center & Tower & ATC Etc…..Those were the good old days …… Lots of chatter !!
One of my favorite air travel memories was getting to be the last person to board the last flight out of LaGuardia on a February Saturday in 1983, just before the airport closed down for a winter storm. I was headed to Florida. It was perfect.
I accumulated 3,000,000 miles while still working. Best of all were the TWA flights both within the continental USA and overseas. Great airline, great service and great schedules. The only thing which beat it was my own flying as a private pilot.
Love the little puddle jumpers. Flew Air Choice One last spring on the way to Colorado. Never had better service, a very comfortable ride, and an exceptionally low price. Much better than driving to O’Hare!
Was a bag smasher at Cleveland Hopkins — air freight, US mail, ticketing, REA( Railway Express Agency), food service, psngr agent, cabin cleaning … did it all !! Before jetways and airports used as people prisons …
I have alot of Air Traffic right over my house so this would be net experince. Since I live about 60 miles from the US Border it would be very interesting to hear some of these pilots.
Some years ago I was flying out of Chicago on my way to Denver. As the plane began to climb, the pilot recited John Magee’s poem “Surly bonds of earth”. His recitation was flawless and made for a memorable flight.
While visiting my nephew in Lincoln, NE, he was an air traffic controller at the local tower. Listening to him and the planes in the air and on the ground was very interesting. There were passenger airliners of various sizes, small private planes with students making touch and go approaches, helicopters of various color in civilian, medical emergency, and military training for the National Guard. The National Guard also had C-130 cargo and C-135 re-fuelers doing training too. And just to speed things up the Air Force brought in T-38 jet trainers from Oklahoma on their cross country training and touch and go exercises. Oh, you cannot leave out the special Government 747 jumbo jets making their appearance to sharpen their proficiency at touch and go arounds before drifting off into air space somewhere else. The air traffic controllers job was to keep proper separation between all that was going on no matter what the air speed of the planes were or if the “heavys” were operating in front of a small aircraft with a student pilot at the controls. Communications was the KEY to all these daily operations no matter what aircraft was flying.
I never thought I would have any appreciation for LAX but having recently flown into the Atlanta airport (ATL) and picking up a rental vehicle, LAX isn’t so bad after all!
I Fly Southwest.
We have enjoyed our flights on Virgin America great customer service. Sir Richard has another success on his hands!
I used to fly my own plane and on one trip home from Sedona, AZ to Los Angeles, CA we ran into severe weather which forced us to land and wait for the passing squall line in Needles, CA. After about 2 hours the weather seemed to clear enough to go, so I filed an IFR flight plan and we lifted off. Within 10 minutes, we were in the clouds and the outside got darker and darker. I knew we were in for a rough ride and told my wife to make sure her seatbelt was tight and to check the straps on the baggage compartment. Just about that time the controller called me and said “Robin 6SE, state your altitude.” I responded with “10,400, I will attempt to get back to 10000, but my VSI is pegged ar 2000 feet per minute UP and I am at idle power.” The controller responded with “OK Robin 6SE you are cleared to a block from 10,000 to 15,000 let me know when you have it under control.” I had pushed the nose down and my airspeed was as high as I dared let it go. I didn’t want to get above manuvering speed and risk structural damage, but we were still going up in this updraft elevator. As we continued up and forward suddenly, we broke out of the clouds and the updraft ended. we were level at 13,000 feet looking down on the the desert floor inside a canyon of billowing white clouds. The desert was covered in pools of water that reflected the sun like a million diamonds. It truely felt like we were in palm of God’s hand,being shown the beauty of this planet we live on. It was an experience I will never forget.
I have never heard an opportunity to listen to hairband on the radio, except when I fly. I do think it would be cool to listen to it.
In 1981 I was coming home from England from a LDS mission. I had a layover at JFK airport. I was sitting on the second level where i could look down at the lower leveland see what was going on. A large man came over to me pick me and lean me over the railing I thought he hates mormons and I am going to die !He finally pulled back up sat me in a chair and said tell about the mormon church. We had a good conversation.
Listen to local tower traffic or the big guys. Or the dedicated emergency frequency for your schadenfreude fix.