[aprssig] VHF Aircraft Channels

[Josh Freeman]

> On 1/24/06, Mark Saurman <vo1one at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Why not just run a 2m or 70cm rig from the plane? It's perfectly acceptable
> > to do that as long as the aircraft is operating VFR and you have the
> > approval of the pilot-in-command.
>
> If you file IFR but are currently in VFR conditions, operation is
> allowed, right?
>


Here's the relevant bits from Part 97:

Sec. 97.11  Stations aboard ships or aircraft.

    (a) The installation and operation of an amateur station on a ship
or aircraft must be approved by the master of the ship or pilot in
command of the aircraft.
    (b) The station must be separate from and independent of all other
radio apparatus installed on the ship or aircraft, except a common
antenna may be shared with a voluntary ship radio installation. The
station's transmissions must not cause interference to any other
apparatus installed on the ship or aircraft.
    (c) The station must not constitute a hazard to the safety of life
or property. For a station aboard an aircraft, the apparatus shall not
be operated while the aircraft is operating under Instrument Flight
Rules, as defined by the FAA, unless the station has been found to
comply with all applicable FAA Rules.

I would take subsection (c) to mean that the amateur station should
not be operated anytime the aircraft is under an active IFR flight
plan or clearance, regardless of whether the aircraft is actually in
IMC (instrument meteorological conditions).

And, to clarify my earlier post regarding airband handhelds/ground
stations: this quote from the FCC website
(http://wireless.fcc.gov/aviation/fctsht4.html) -

"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."

Josh