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.
Years ago, I was flying into O’Hare and they had the traffic control “channel” available on our plane that you could listen to if you had a earpiece to plug in. I just happened to have one and was listening as we made our approach to land. The voices were rather monotone sounding, no real inflection, and matter of fact.
I heard the tower say something to effect to go around on our approach and we suddenly started to climb again. Evidently a small plane had encroached on our airspace during our approach and our pilot had to pull up to avoid it. During the whole incident, the pilot continued to speak with his non-excitable voice, but did acknowledge that there was a smaller plane in our path.
I was very glad for the expertise and attention to the situation our pilot/crew exhibited.
Several years ago my wife and I were scheduled to fly from Chicago to Las Vegas. We were not first class passengers but just prior to boarding I was called to the desk and told that we were being upgraded to first class. We had the first two seats in first class and could really see the spectacular scenery as we flew west. We landed in Las Vegas and the pilot did not immediately taxi toward the terminal. The captain came on the PA system and said that we were going to wait there because they were testing the Concorde and we could watch it take off. He radioed the captain of the Concorde and asked him where they were going. He said that they were going to fly half way to Hawaii and return. We couldn’t imagine taking a test cruise half way to Hawaii and back to Las Vegas in what seemed like less time than it took us to fly from Chicago to Las Vegas.
Mel Mayfield
Roanoke, Virginia
I was held up in security at Heathrow on our way home because of something in my carry-on bag. I thought it was my rock specimen collection–I had taken several examples of chert/flint from Dover, including several arrowhead-shaped ones that could conceivably have served as weapons. In the end, it was a tiny bottle of water bought for a train ride the day before that caused the trouble. We barely made the flight home. No one ever questioned the bag of sharp rocks.
Flying with my (then) instructor pilot friend down to San Diego to pick up his girlfriend, he had a case of “getthereitis”. When touching down at Lindbergh he discovered that the right brake wasn’t working, causing us to miss our turn off.
The tower asked if we were familiar with the facility when he radioed back ” I ONLY HAVE ONE BRAKE! ”
“Then take up all the room you want – and welcome to San Diego” came the reply.
We took the train home that night, barely getting the last train out of town.
Wish I could have listened in to that radio conversation while it was happening!
09/02/14: I was flying from Johannesburg to Madagascar, and I was charged $28+
~ for having 8 lbs. (about 4 kilos) more than the 16 lbs. (8 kilos) that were allowed.
09/29/14: On the flight back from Madagascar to Johannesburg
~ I had twice as much as allowed, due to gifts… about 32 lbs. (16 kilos) instead of the 16 lbs. (8 kilos) allowed and they DIDN’T CHARGE me anything for the additional weight. I did pray 🙂
I’m a big fan of regional airports. Ours is Sonoma County Airport. Easy in, easy out never a hassel.
Now I can listen to the planes on the app FlightRadar24 using my new CCrane Skywave!
Many years ago I had been in Boston visiting family and flew into Atlantic City to attend a conference. I’ve been on many a rough commercial flight but that was the only one I really thought would end my life. The plane was a cramped cigar tube: there was only a single seat on each side of the aisle, the plane was long and I had to crouch a lot when walking back to my seat. The weather in Atlantic City was awful. The plane bucked, rolled and veered. Coming into Atlantic City International I was sure that the plane would either break up or be forced catastrophically to the ground. Right up to landing the plane was rolling severely. The fellow across the aisle was making generous use of the barf bag but somehow I decided if I were going to die in a crash I would enjoy the ride, like on a roller coaster, until the bitter end. The pilot brought us down safely, I attended the conference, and had a beautiful flight out of Bader to Philadelphia a week later.
I don’t think that I would want to hear the cockpit communication during the flight; I might have not been able to remain calm and resigned to my fate. If I had been safely on the ground I would have loved to hear the back and forth with the tower that led to the decision to land. I am in awe of the levels of training, professionalism, skill, technology, mutual trust, cooperation, commitment, engineering, design, manufacturing, communication, etc. that go into each and every flight. The air system is clearly one of the wonders of the world and every insight into that system makes me appreciate it more.
The only aviation story I can recall of note is the 1980 movie AIRPLANE. What a spoof ! By the way , whatever happened to Julia Hagerty ? What a hottie !!!
I’ll second that! I see on IMDB that she’ll be 60 this year. Still looks pretty good!
Best story was when the old Peoples Airlines got stuck on ground for 3 hours, and I went into bathroom to do a bowl. I could not hold it in but instead, coughed it out! Then, a knock on the door from maintenance crews, who ratted me out to a stewardess who said :” that’s a Federal offense…don’t do it again”! Boy, was I lucky.
Two weeks ago, we were returning from Ft.Lauderdale to JFK on Delta. During the flight, JFK closed down because of the ice and our captain brought us down in Norfork, Va. Being ready for a long night on the tarmac,to our delight, our captain pulled us into the arrival area and let us get off and relax in the waiting area. He was back every 15 minutes to keep us posted and just hang around to give us the latest scoop. He indicated that by keeping in touch with the tower we would stay in the the queue. I would have liked to hear the the back and forth conversations on that busy icy night. By the way,he also bought pizza for the 100 or so passengers. When he heard that there was a slot for us at JFK, he scrambled us all in and took off. His openness to all of us throughout the flight was just grand.
A local radio station reported there was a commercial airliner on the runway at SeaTac airport with a hijacker on board. He was demanding money and parachutes. I immediately turned on my aircraft scanner radio and began listening to an amazing saga unfolding. The Northwest 727 took off and headed south, the fight crew constantly updating the folks on the ground. The Northwest crew sounded incredibly calm and professional considering they were told the hijacker had a bomb in the cabin. The aircraft voice communication was copyable in Seattle until the plane was well over Oregon. It was November 24th, 1971, and D.B. Cooper was making infamous history.
I have always enjoyed listening to air traffic controllers and pilots. Having the convenience of the air band in such a radio welcome addition.
I like Southwest airlines. Good prices and service. Worst Airport Atlanta . TSA sucks.
When I was 14 years old my Uncle Pete took me flying in his plane and I got to steer it for 10 minutes. 🙂
Flying to Las Vegas the pilot kept us informed of the time by referring to where Mickey’s (Mouse) hands were pointing on his watch. This was a charter flight. When it came time to leave we arrived at the terminal and were informed that the charter company had “Forgotten to send a plane !”. Well at least we got to see Vegas at night.
My dad worked Ground support for the Old Northeast airline (aka Delta). For fun on a Saturday NIGHT WE WOULD SWITCH BETWEEN THE TOWER AND THE GROUND TO HEAR THE PLANES COMING INTO LOGAN IN BOSTON.
I remember my Father taking me to my very first air show at the cottage grove air port. I flew for the first time with my uncle at age 15.
I had a great time . He designed many RC Aircraft and now I carry on the tradition.
I like to listen to air to air traffic and small airport traffic. Also listening to the weather broadcasts from various airports are a great way to get predicted bad weather. ATM’s etc.
Just recently flew for the first time in 10 years, it was our 50th anniversary. My wife is terrified of flying. Tried to surprise her with the trip, didn’t work, she found out. After 50 years of marriage there is no way to pull something off without her knowing. She actually tried to cancel the trip due to her fear of flying, when she found out the air tickets were non refundable she agreed. The flying experience was very positive and she agreed to fly again next year, were both glad we took the trip.
JET BLUE…..GOTTA LOVE IT…….
Our flight was delayed with Delta. The pilot came into the main cabin, got on the PA, and told us all about the problem and why the delay was happening. It was a professional and personal way of keeping us all informed. He took a plane full of tired crabby travelers and changed the mood for the better… Bravo Zulu captain!!
Just finished a story and it “got lost in cyberspace”.
From the balsa wood gliders of my youth to the supersonic marvels of today I find aviation advancements are the product of devotion and dreaming.Incredible!!
My favorite airline is no longer in business, I worked for Mesaba Airlines, d/b/a Northwest Airlink. One of the perks was the abilty to fly anywhere our airline goes, or, where Northwest Airlines goes. As a mechanic with three years of senority, I would get bumped off the flight by a flight attendant who may only have one day of senority. Mesaba employees were treated as unwanted step-kids. My greatest memory came on an Easter weekend. I claimed the right of flying jump seat on a Mesaba RJ 85 jet. I had the privilige off bumping a Nortwest pilot from flying jump seat who had only two years of senority. It makes me smile every time I think about it.
WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN THE 1940’S WE USED TO GO TO WATCH THE PLANES TAKE OFF THE WATER AT DINNER KEY IN MIAMI. IT WAS EXCITING ,AND MY BEST MEMORY OF FLIGHTS I MADE, YOU DRESSED WELL WITH A HAT AND GLOVES. THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT, WELL-SERVED AND THERE WAS A LOT OF LEG ROOM. IT WAS A REAL TREAT TO FLY!
WHEN MY GENERATION IS GONE, NO ONE WILL REMEMBER THE “GOOD OLD DAYS”
I spent much of my life taking care of other people’s kids. I used to take the little ones to the local airport to watch the big planes take off. They were fascinated by it all and I loved watching their faces as they saw airplanes take off for the first time. One of my last times doing this was in 1999. as we were leaving the airport, Coretta Scott King was arriving with several of her children. My little friends had no clue who was walking past us but I was humbled and almost in tears.
in a small town i listen to 123.0 unicom sometimes very interesting..with the cc wifi radio i purchested a year ago i can hear the atc and towers its great thanks bob
love the great radios….art
I was traveling to Finland years ago and we arrived in Helsinki at about 8:30 in the morning. After the all night flight I was looking out of my window on the final approach only to see grass once we got below the fog line. The jet jerked to the left abruptly and we put down hard on the tarmac. After everyone caught their breath, over the PA came a monotonous “welcome to Helsinki.” We all erupted in laughter- albeit a somewhat nervous one. I still love flying and always have. Almost as much as I love Helsinki.
Listening to aircraft headed west from Denver International Airport. They frequently ask about the ride ahead. Flying over the Rocky Mountains can be bumpy.
Several years ago while qualifying for my private pilot’s license out of Chatham (Cape Cod) MA airport, I’d soloed and was subsequently directed to complete a requird three-leg flight — Chatham to Concord,NH — Concord to Brainard Field, Htfd, CT — then back to Chatham, getting the necessary proof of arrival signatures along the way.
I found Concord, got the signature, and took off for Hartford. No sooner had I gotten to 3000 feet in my Cessna 150 than, over mountains, the plane experienced a downdraft so severe that had I not worn a seat belt I would have hit the ceiling. As it happened, the Zippo lighter in my shirt pocket hit the ceiling instead.
Shaken up, I flew on smoothly — from 2,500 feet.
I was on a flight back from the FBI Academy to the west coast when I saw the flight attendant with a very worried look on her face walk briskly to the phone and pick it up. I couldn’t tell what she said but she was rattled. Then I saw what she had seen. A woman in the seat across from me had her blouse soaked with red fluid that resembled blood and she appeared to be passed out. When touched, the lady awakened and was shocked at the ‘blood’ on her blouse. What had happened was she brought a bag of salsa on board in her carry on and at pressure, it burst and salsa slowly dripped down from the overhead compartment onto her blouse. No injury–just needed chips.
I just recently had a son and he’s awesome. We went to the airport to look at the planes with my family and saw someone who has a key to the hangars and runways. This guy took us all over the airport and started his plane for us and let us out all over the place. Short of a free flight this guy was being really awesome!
I travel to Mexico every other week for business and have learned that the best way to get in and out of the airport without a major bother is to arrive at the airport about 30 minutes before your flight and give the customs a 10 bill, and then you will see how fast they run you to your flight, just make sure you and him are the only ones to see this as if there are any more you will have to pay many other cops and customs officials.
Mexico is a great place to have fun but you need to be ready to bribe your way via the local government
My best flight was to Philly. My daughter was 3 years old on a plane that looked like a basketball court. I have a picture of her standing on the set in the center of a widebody jet. When the plane took off I felt like the whole basketball court was flying.
When flying to a wedding in NC with my two young grandchildren we met the pilots in the lobby during a delay. upon boarding the plane, a flight attendent directed the boys to the flight deck at the captains request. Knowing it was their first flight, he gave them a tour of the cockpit, let them set in the pilots seat and loaned them his pilots hat. It was quite a thrill for the five and eight year olds. I will fly that airline whenever possible!
i was taken in to custody after I arrived from Central America because the airline made a type error in my ticket that liked like a different name witch was being used by a different person that wAs being watched by interpose cops it took a week to get out of custody in the airport they have a jail in the airport
On a non-stop flight from Bradley Int”l Airport to Grand Bahamas Island on Laker Airways, an English Charter airline, we were tailed all the way from Virginia to the Bahamas by three flying saucers–UFO’s.
My father started out as a radio mechanic for Capital Airlines at DCA. When United bought Capital he was transferred to Denver and spent his last twenty years working night shift on the flight simulators. On his nights off he would sometimes take me over to put in some flight time on the 727 sim. Great fun, but I could never quite get complete control of the plane on landing. The funny part of this story is that I was on a real flight landing in Denver and it felt like the pilot was having the same kind of trouble I did. Lots of yaw and pitch changes. His landing was better than most of mine.
The security people at Fort Lauderdale, Fl. international airport are the most thoughtful professional people in the business, they make flying closer to what it was 20 years ago.
I flew with a mission in Papua New Guinea in the 1970’s..Air traffic control was very strict. Many of the charts were incomplete because they were made from aerial mapping and often obscured by cloud. These areas were denoted as unknown territory. Air traffic control was really hounding a pilot insisting that he report his exact position. His response was I am right by the u in unknown territory. ATC responded with a long silence.
I personally hate to fly, but do when the need arises. Having previously lived in an area where a lot of military and commercial air traffic I listened to all of these in the middle of Kansas. I would like to again if I win one a CC Skywave!
Many years ago as a 10 year old, I flew with my parents from Houston to LAX. Now being from a small rural town (2 hours NW of Houston), just seeing a plane back then was rare. But to actually be ON a plane was exciting. I still have fond memories of that first flight.
Roger, Roger. What is your Vector Victor? Over, Over. Roger.
Just a little over thirty years ago, in the early evening of January 18, 1985, I was winging my way from Kansas City to Chicago on a TWA jet. It was the first leg of a journey to the England. In Chicago, I transferred to a 747, for the overnight flight to Heathrow.
On an eight hour trip in the dead of night, there’s not much to entertain a person, once you’ve finished the meal. Some watch the movie. Most passengers sleep. After doing a little of both, I got bored and decided to pass a little time rummaging through the pocket on the back of the seat in front of me.
Once I had read the In-Flight Magazine & carefully studying the laminated “in-case-of-emergency” instruction card, I dug a little deeper into the pocket and found an air sickness bag.
Printed on one side of it was a score sheet for gin rummy. On the other side was a coupon for discount photo finishing.
It was a smooth, uneventful flight, but if it hadn’t been, it was a great comfort to know I’d be able to keep track of who was winning the card game and later, get cheap snapshots of me hurling my guts out at 34,000 feet!
I was listening in on air to ground communications at Willow Grove NAS many years ago and heard the following (incredibly calm) exchange: Pilot: “Willow Grove this is Diamondback 22, I’m declaring an in-flight emergency at this time.” ATC: “Roger Diamondback 22, what is the nature of your emergency?” Pilot: “Willow Grove, be advised I have lost an engine.” ATC: “Understand you have lost an engine, 22, will you be able to make the runway on your remaining engine?” Pilot: “Uh, guys, be advised I’m in an A-4 (a single engine attack aircraft).” ATC: (brief delay) “Roger, Diamondback, I’ll call out the crash trucks.”
My favorite story is back in the 1980’s my friend and I attended an air show at the Minot Air Force Base and I bought an airman a beer. He was very grateful and appreciative. My friend and I got the royal treatment along with a private tour of the base and aircraft.
Years ago my sister in law told me about a family trip where they were on the plane sitting at the gate and there was some delay leaving the gate. Her 5 year old son (my nephew) blurted out “What the hell are we waiting for?”, which of course brought a roar of laughter from nearby passengers and crew. My sister in law was very embarrassed and laughing too hard to scold him.
My favorite airport is JHM Kapalua
Beautiful view to welcome people to Maui
Sounds great captain. Always trying to keep my nose up.yaw have a great day
Several years ago, my family and I were flying from Atlanta to Seattle. After we departed, this young child was flying alone so she decided to make me her seatmate. She talked for hours about her family. Suffice to say, it wasn’t a boring flight!
This happened a few years ago. My wife and I flew out to Los Angeles to visit her daughter. On the return flight home, which was the red eye to Chicago, there were three young women sitting behind us.
As everyone was trying to get settled, and at least trying to get some sleep, these three ladies chatted up a storm. Their conversation could be heard through out the aircraft; twice the flight attendants asked them to keep the chatter to a low roar.
Wrong thing to say, as they became louder and louder, and it got even worse when a flight attendant announced departure would be delayed a few minutes. My timing couldn’t have been any better when one of the motor mouths complained about the delay. Without missing a beat I said, “If you would just shut up, we can leave.” No sooner had I said that when the aircraft began to be pushed back from the gate. Laughter filled the front of the aircraft, but didn’t keep the three from talking loudly the entire 3.5 hr flight to Chicago.