§ 87.349   Frequencies.

   (a) The frequency assigned to an aeronautical utility station at an airport
   served  by  a  control tower, RCO or FAA flight service station is the
   frequency used by the control tower for ground traffic control or by the
   flight service station for communications with vehicles. In addition to the
   ground control frequency, an aeronautical utility station at an airport
   served by a control tower or RCO may be assigned the tower or RCO frequency
   if the assignment is specifically approved by the FAA as provided for in
   § 87.347(c).  The  frequencies  assigned  are  normally  from  the band
   121.600-121.925 MHz.

   (b)  The frequency assigned to the unicom is available to aeronautical
   utility  stations  on a noninterference basis at airports which have a
   part-time control tower, part-time RCO or part-time FAA flight service
   station and a unicom.

   (c) At airports which have a unicom but no control tower, RCO or FAA flight
   service  station, the frequency assigned to the unicom is available to
   aeronautical utility stations on a noninterference basis. The frequencies
   available for assignment to unicoms are described in subpart G of this part.

   (d) At airports which have no control tower, RCO, flight service station or
   unicom,  the  frequency  122.900  MHz  is  available for assignment to
   aeronautical utility stations.

   (e) The frequency 978.0 MHz is authorized for Universal Access Transceiver
   data transmission.

   (f) The Commission will assign frequency 1090 MHz for use by aeronautical
   utility mobile stations for ground vehicle identification and collision
   avoidance  after  coordination  with the FAA, subject to the following
   conditions:

   (1) The applicant must notify the appropriate Regional Office of the FAA
   prior to submission to the Commission of an application for a new station or
   for modification of an existing station. Each application must include the
   FAA Regional Office notified and date of notification.

   (2) Eligibility is restricted to airport operators holding an FAA Airport
   Operating  Certificate,  and  other  entities approved by the FAA on a
   case-by-case basis to use frequency 1090 MHz for use by aeronautical utility
   mobile stations for ground vehicle identification and collision avoidance;

   (3) No more than two hundred 1090 MHz aeronautical utility mobile stations
   will be authorized at one airport;

   (4)  Licenses  are limited to only those locations that are within the
   vicinity of an FAA ASDE-X multilateration system or ADS-B equipment, and/or
   where the primary purpose for seeking transmit authorization is to provide
   surface data to aircraft and air traffic control authorities.

   (5) Message transmission rates are limited as indicated in the table below:
   ADS-B Message Rate when moving Rate when stationary
   Surface Position Message (Types 5, 6, 7, 8) Every 0.4 to 0.6 seconds Every
   4.8 to 5.2 seconds.
   Aircraft Operational Status (Type 31) Every 4.8 to 5.2 seconds Every 4.8 to
   5.2 seconds.
   Aircraft Identification and Type (Type 2) Every 4.8 to 5.2 seconds Every 9.8
   to 10.2 seconds.

   [ 55 FR 30464 , July 26, 1990, as amended at  55 FR 30908 , July 30, 1990;  71 FR 70680 , Dec. 6, 2006;  78 FR 61207 , Oct. 3, 2013]

   return arrow Back to Top