Q&A for How to Listen to Your Local Air Traffic Control

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Why do pilots say “Niner”?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The word “nine” can be difficult to hear properly over a muffled radio connection. Pilots pronounce it “niner” so it can’t be easily confused with other words or numbers, like “five.”

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How do pilots identify runways?

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Pilots can make use of an ILS (instrument landing system) to help them identify runways and land safely, even in poor visibility. Instruments in the cockpit detect radio signals from the runway that help guide them as they land.

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Is there an app to listen to air traffic control?

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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes. You can listen using the LiveATC.net app. It allows you to tune into ATC towers at over 1,000 airports around the world!

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Question

How do I listen to aircraft radios as they fly by my home?

Community Answer

First, try listening to frequencies used by your local airport(s). If you're not familiar with them, look for them at Airnav.com. If you have a Uniden scanner, many models have a feature called 'Close Call' where the radio will automatically pick up strong, nearby transmissions. It's very good if you want to identify the frequency used by an airplane flying overhead.

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Where can I purchase an airband receiver?

Community Answer

Sporty's Pilot Shop online has a good selection of radios, as well as other pilot supplies.

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Can I listen to ATC if my digital transceiver frequencies are between 128.0 and 198?

Community Answer

It depends on the airport. The airport frequency (tower) for the city I live in is 119.1. Our departure and other frequencies are higher than that. Check out radioreference.com for frequencies in your area.

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How often do planes approach and depart from the Atlanta airport?

Christopher

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Hartsfield-Jackson (Atlanta) International Airport is by far the busiest airport out there, according to many sites (including the Atlanta Airport official webpage). Planes take off and arrive every minute or so. There's a pattern of planes at this airport. It will seem like transmissions will come every 15-30 seconds during busiest times, but when you are on the ground it will seem like there is more action than that.

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Question

How would I announce my intentions to take off from a private air strip?

Community Answer

If your airplane is N9968F and the airport is Cynthiana, you would say, "Cynthiana traffic, N9968F departing Cynthiana, runway 29 deleting the pattern to the west Cynthiana traffic."

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Question

Can I listen to ATC with the help of my car radio?

Community Answer

It is possible, but not worth it. Buy an inexpensive scanner instead, that's very easy. Otherwise, you would need a frequency counter, a frequency reference, and a good deal of technical radio know how. If you are interested, purchase the ARRL Handbook (published annually) for a good primer on radio theory, electronics, and projects.

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Can I listen to control towers on my iPad?

Christopher

Top Answerer

Some control towers (mostly of major airports) can be found on the third-party LIveATC app as well as through the standalone player for liveatc.net - a major website in the industry.

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Question

What are the airline frequencies at the DFW Airport?

Community Answer

The following are for approach: 17C 127.075, 17L 119.400, 18R 118.425, and the following are for tower: 126.550, 127.500, 135.700, 124.150, 134.900.

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Question

How can I listen to the ATC from my car?

Community Answer

One of the easiest is to download a free app called LiveATC. You can select the airport you're wanting to listen to, as well as which frequency within that airport.

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Question

What scanner radio do I need to get that will enable me to listen in to aircraft movements?

Community Answer

Icom brand radios are very good but are a little expensive; I use one as a backup for a radio failure.

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Question

Is it illegal to listen to air traffic controllers in India?

🛫 Mattheus Goldman 🛬

Community Answer

Check the laws where you live, as they can vary. However, it is illegal to listen to ATC in India. If you do want to listen in, you will need to obtain a special license.

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Question

Can I listen to radio frequencies from the UK?

Community Answer

That should be possible, although according to liveatc.net, this is illegal. You can try contacting the Department of Transport about this, though.

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Question

What are the frequencies of the Orlando airport?

Community Answer

Clearance: 134.700, Ground: 124.600 and 121.800, Tower: 124.300 and 133.375

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Question

Can I listen to air traffic control from all countries legally?

Community Answer

No, in certain countries like India, you cannot listen to ATC communications.

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Question

Is "tree" and "fife" really still in use? I thought only "niner" was common now.

Alex

Top Answerer

Yes, “tree” and “fife” are still in use, although it’s not as common as “niner.” Smaller aircraft tend to use “tree” and “fife” more than in commercial aircraft, but they both are still active.

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Question

What are the frequencies for Leeds Bradford airport, N. Yorkshire, England?

Alex

Top Answerer

TWR: 120.305 DEL: 121.805 APP (1): 123.38 APP (2): 134.58 ATIS: 118.025 ILS (Runways 32/14): 110.9.

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Question

Is LiveATC.net free?

Community Answer

Yes.

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