The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Since WHEN does the FAA authorize the use of freq. 123.45 for common air-to-air communications?

From the FAA today:
Gulf Oil Spill Operations
Notice Number: NOTC2263


Aerial oil spill response operations are being conducted in the Gulf of Mexico for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Surface burning of oil is currently in progress and numerous large fixed-wing aircraft will be spraying chemical dispersants at very low altitude. Stay 3 NM clear of dispersant and spotter aircraft, and transit the area above 2,000 feet MSL. Refer to FAA NOTAMS for the most current information

Monitor 123.45 mHz for de-confliction. Aircraft interfering with dispersant and burn operations will be reported to the FAA.

For additional safety, file flight plans with the Federal Aviation Administration. For more information check www.1af.acc.af.mil, http://www.facebook.com/AmericasAOC , or www.twitter.com/1stAF.

Remember to always check NOTAMS and fly informed!

123.45 is the common overwater air-to-air frequency for pireps, passing position reports (if no HF) and getting sport scores . That is why the FAA does not want it used by landlubbers.

Just to clarify... I believe 123.45 is a B.S. freq. by long-useage-default. It was never used "officially" for anything due to it's numerical-sequence, and back in the early '70s some renegade pilots simply started using it to avoid the chatter on 122.9. By the late 70's it was the common B.S. freq at the commuter airline I worked for, and all the late nite freighters. It may have recently been grabbed for use for the overwater purposes mentioned... but not with official blessing. (The officially-blessed freq. for overwater position reports in lieu of H.F. has always been 121.5)

The "oddity" here is...that the FAA has now actually designated it for a purpose....which is what I found so amusing.

George, I think you have it backwards, 123.45 has been listed as "Worldwide Remote Oceanic Air to Air" on oceanic charts for decades by ICAO recommendation. I think that others listening in assumed it was a common B.S. frequency and begin to use it as such. Granted, there is a lot of B.S. on it from overwater users as well but it does serve a valuable source for quick pireps. While this standard can be overridden by individual governments, the FAA has abided by this standard and mentions in many overwater procedural documents.

While Karl is correct the FCC has reserved the frequency 123.45 for the FAA as a test control frequency over the continental US. Have used this frequency over trans atlantic for years. It has yielded a lot of help from other aircraft especially during weather events. Doug

This is not the first time I've been backwards, Karl. (Thanks!)