5 October 2004
<B>November 11th sees start of SAFETYCOM</B>
The CAA has unveiled the details long awaited SAFETYCOM which is intended to be similar to the widely used UNICOM in the USA.
Assigned the frequency 135.475 MHz SAFETYCOM can be used throughout the UK by aircraft operating in the vicinity of an aerodrome or landing site that does not have an air to ground frequency.
SAFETYCOM can only be used by aircraft at 2000 ft or less above aerodrome or location elevation or below 1000 ft above circuit height. It is restricted to 10 nm of the landing site and should normally be used only to broadcast the pilot’s intentions. There should be no response from the ground, except where the pilot of an aircraft on the ground also needs to transmit his intentions.
The CAA stress that it is not intended to be an air to air chat channel and is available to assist pilots to avoid potential collisions between arriving and departing aircraft.
