What is the most appropriate radio frequency to use at low level in Class G airspace?
CASA wants your input on this question—whether you are an airline pilot, general aviation or recreational flyer. A consultation announced today will inform its decision on the most appropriate radio frequency for pilots to use at low level in uncontrolled Class G airspace.
A CASA discussion paper outlines the two very high frequency (VHF) options being considered for the purpose of monitoring and broadcasting when in the vicinity of aerodromes not published on aeronautical charts.
The options are: maintain the current policy of using the relevant area VHF frequency or, alternatively, endorse multicom (126.7MHz) as the common low-level frequency for use in Class G airspace.
The discussion paper includes the results of a risk assessment and other safety considerations, particularly in relation to communication congestion, regulatory impact and cost, emergency alerts, clarity of aircraft position and air traffic services.
It is important all pilots in low-level airspace are using the same frequency because that’s what alerted see-and-avoid depends on.
Find out more and contribute to this important discussion via the CASA website.
Consultation closes 28 April 2017.
The logical answer to me is that 126.7 would probably save confusion and angst for pilots trying to remember what a new frequency is. Is there any reason to change to any other frequency?
Without any doubt in my mind the logical answer is 126.7 at the lower levels..for the whole country.
Higher than say 5,000ft make the change to the Area frequency..
Twice when flying into a little known airstrip, on making an inbound call on 126.7 a response has come from an RPT aircraft asking for the location of the strip. When given, a cheerful “Thanks I’ll mark my charts for future use” No problem.
Having aircraft at the same level using two different frequencies is asking for a disaster to happen. When it happens it won’t be the system blamed but the pilots
My money is in favour of 126.7
126.7 is the only safe frequency to use. Should be mandatory for all G airspace below say 5000′
Including all ALA’s whether registered or not.
126.7 works ,leave it alone & keep confusion to a minimum.
I just don’t understand the need for change. 126.7 makes sense. Most airfields that I use have 126.7 and at the relatively low altitudes most recreational pilots fly at, VHF coverage is fairly short so little chance of saturating the airband. Area frequency, particularly in SE Qld, means you are risking clogging up the system or having your transmission not heard.